Infrastructure Built for Business
When it comes to state infrastructure, Minnesota earns its title, the Star of the North. The state boasts one of the highest-rated infrastructures in the U.S.
Located in the Midwest, Minnesota leads in air logistics, road transportation, clean energy solutions and broadband access—connecting businesses to the world. And, despite the state’s renowned winters, Minnesota’s infrastructure is built tough—work doesn’t stop just because it’s cold.
In other words, Minnesota’s infrastructure is built for business.
WHAT SETS MINNESOTA APART?
Source: Airports Council International / J.D. Power, Conde Nast Traveler, U.S. News & World Report, CNBC, American Council for Energy Efficiency Economy
MINNESOTA BY LAND
Minneapolis' highway system
ROADS
Minnesota has three major interstate highways (I-35, I-94, and I-90) and the fourth largest road system in the nation to facilitate road transportation. Nearly 400 million tons of freight are transported annually on Minnesota roads.
Duluth-Superior Railyard
RAIL
The state has 4,444 miles of freight railroad operated by 21 companies. Four Class I freight rail lines and 3,500 Class I rail miles integrate Minnesota with the U.S. and Canadian rail systems. BNSF, Canadian Pacific, Union Pacific, and Canadian National Rail all operate intermodal facilities in Minnesota. Industry moves one-fourth of its freight by rail in Minnesota.
Delta plane flying over Minneapolis / Credit: Emmanuel Canaan
MINNESOTA BY AIR
THE BEST IN THE U.S.
Nine commercial airports serve the state’s major metropolitan areas, including Minneapolis-St. Paul, Duluth, and Rochester. From these airports, businesses can fly anywhere in the continental U.S. in less than four hours.
For information about the more than 100 public-use and private airports in Minnesota, please visit the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International
The World’s Most On-Time Airport
Ranked as the most on-time airport in the world and regularly named one of the best airports in North America, Minneapolis-St. Paul International (MSP) has 163 non-stop destinations for travelers and commerce—136 domestic and 27 international markets. International destinations include Amsterdam, London, Dublin, Frankfurt, Mexico City, Seoul, Tokyo, Toronto, and cities in the Caribbean and Canada.
In addition to offering direct access to important global trade and commerce hubs, MSP welcomes business travelers with food from the state’s thriving dining scene, shopping from local vendors, and seven private lounges. MSP also offers a 1.4-mile walking path in Terminal 1 for layovers or early arrivers.
Explore more about MSP, named the best airport in North America for the third consecutive year, the seventh time the airport has received the title in the past eight years.
Rochester International
Located less than 20 minutes from downtown Rochester and the world-famous Mayo Clinic, Rochester International Airport is served by American Airlines and Delta Airlines. Daily arrivals and departures take travelers to popular destinations, including Chicago and Minneapolis. Check the Rochester International website for the most up-to-date destination information.
Duluth International
The Duluth International Airport is served by Delta Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Sun Country Charters, and United Airlines, with daily arrivals and departures. Popular destinations include Chicago, Fort Myers (February 2025), and Minneapolis. Check the Duluth International website for the most up-to-date destination information.
A large shipping container on the Mississippi River
MINNESOTA BY WATER
Known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Minnesota also has key access for commercial logistics and transportation via the Great Lakes and Mississippi River.
Mississippi River System
and the Port of St. Paul
The Mississippi River System, which spans about 200 miles, includes four port areas (St. Paul, Savage, Red Wing, and Winona), and transports an average of over 14 million net tons of freight annually. Approximately 50 percent of Minnesota’s agricultural exports are shipped on the Mississippi River.
The Port of St. Paul, including four terminals managed by the St. Paul Port Authority, is a critical link to Minnesota’s freight transportation network. It provides first- and last-mile connections to the national highway system and direct connections to the national railroad network.
Lake Superior and the
Port of Duluth-Superior
Three ports on Lake Superior transport an average of over 54 million net tons of freight annually. The largest port is the Port of Duluth-Superior, a diversified multimodal shipping hub offering global cargo transport through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway, major highways, and direct Class I rail service to the East, West, and Gulf Coast.
Located at the westernmost tip of Lake Superior, the Port of Duluth-Superior is North America’s farthest-inland freshwater seaport. The working waterfront is populated by 20 privately owned bulk cargo docks, an award-winning intermodal cargo terminal, a marine fueling depot, a shipyard with dry docks, and multiple tug and barge services.
More than 35 million tons of cargo move through the port each year, making it the Great Lakes’ largest port by tonnage and one of the nation’s top 20 ports. Duluth-Superior is also recognized as:
- North America’s foremost natural resources port
- A leading mover of bulk commodities ranging from iron ore, coal, and limestone to grain, cement, and salt
- The heaviest lift port on the Great Lakes for its expertise in handling wind energy cargoes, project cargoes, wood pulp, paper, steel coils and containerized cargoes
Solar fields at Blattner Energy
UTILITIES IN THE STAR OF THE NORTH
From providing internet access to more households across the state, or providing reliable and affordable energy, Minnesota is leading the nation.
Energy
Xcel Energy, a Fortune 500 company based in Minnesota, is one of the main providers of energy in the state, offering programs and rebates to help companies save money. Other energy providers in the state include Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power and Connexus Energy.
In February 2023, Minnesota enacted new legislation requiring that 100% of electricity generated or procured for use in Minnesota be from carbon-free resources by 2040. Read more about Minnesota’s carbon free commitment here.
Broadband Access
Today, 92% of Minnesota households have access to 25/3 speed internet meaning that employers and their employees can connect globally from almost anywhere in the state.
In 2023, the State of Minnesota received nearly $652 million in federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding from the Biden-Harris Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand broadband to the most unserved and underserved Minnesotans. To date, the State has already awarded $400 million in grants, providing broadband access to nearly 120,000 homes and businesses.