Economic Impact of Ferrous and Nonferrous Mining on Minnesota and the Arrowhead Region with Douglas County, Wisconsin

Abstract

The UMD Labovitz School of Business and Economics’ research bureau, the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER), was contacted by the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota and Mining Minnesota to study and estimate the economic impacts of construction and operations for ferrous and nonferrous mining on Minnesota and the Arrowhead Region including Douglas County, Wisconsin. The objectives of the study include: • To study the recent economic trends of the ferrous and nonferrous mining industries and describe the size of the mining industry relative to the economic base of the study area. • To model the economic impacts of the ferrous and nonferrous mining industry, including the current and projected impacts of the industry’s operations and projected capital expenditures. • To report on Minnesota mining-related taxes paid by the mining industry. • To report on the business confidence of mining-related firms in the study area.