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Building a Regional Model for Industrial Transformation

Our Mission: To accelerate the transition to next-generation industry by integrating technological innovation with the regional priorities, opportunities, and constraints that shape how industrial transformation occurs in practice – advancing a model for industrial transformation in the Midwest that can inform and inspire efforts across the country.

MITI was originally launched around the future of advanced, lower-carbon iron and steel production in Minnesota, but has evolved into a broader platform for exploring what it takes to responsibly and competitively build the industries, infrastructure, workforce, and partnerships needed to support industrial transformation in the region.

Why Minnesota - and Why It Matters Nationally

3D State of Minnesota showing assets relative to MITI

A pre-feasibility study identified Minnesota as an ideal location for industrial transformation. The study provided a comprehensive analysis considering financial incentives, regional resource availability, detailed technology modeling, and emissions for various grid and system configurations.

The pre-feasibility study showed that Minnesota has key ingredients for innovating traditional industrial processes from:

  • Abundant natural resources, including 80% of U.S iron ore that is used for steelmaking
  • Access to low-cost local energy sources, including renewable technologies
  • Access to large-scale energy storage (lined rock caverns)
  • Access to existing infrastructure (e.g., railways and waterways) and raw materials
  • Trained workforce and engaged stakeholders

Industrial Transformation in Practice

Industrial transformation is about more than technology. It requires workforce readiness, infrastructure, investment, community support, Tribal partnership, permitting pathways, and competitive business models.

MITI explores how these elements come together in practice to enable deployment of next-generation industry.

A four-part infographic outlines steps for industrial transformation: ENGAGE – Partner with Tribes, governments, and communities (network icon). ENABLE – Focus on permitting, policy, and social license (lightning bolt icon). BUILD – Research, pilot, and scale projects (wrench and screwdriver icon). INSPIRE – Position Minnesota as a global model (state outline with arrows).

Through research, demonstration, stakeholder engagement, convening, and strategic partnerships, MITI works to identify practical pathways for industrial transformation in the Midwest and to share those lessons nationally.

MITI Primary Focus Areas

  Advanced Iron and Steel

  • Future ironmaking pathways
  • Domestic competitiveness
  • Supply chains
  • Demonstration and deployment

  Industrial Bioeconomy

  • Biomass utilization
  • Bioproducts
  • Sustainable fuels
  • Rural economic development

  Conditions for Deployment

  • Energy systems
  • Infrastructure
  • Workforce
  • Investment
  • Community and Tribal engagement
  • Permitting and deployment pathways