The company has entered into an agreement with the city to purchase a 31,460-square-foot building and two vacant lots in an industrial complex where it currently owns three other buildings.

The state's taconite production is nearing pre-recession levels-and a handful of new projects indicate that 2011 will mean even more production, and in turn, more taxes.

After months of failed negotiations, Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson filed a lawsuit last week demanding that 3M pay the state for damage caused by its disposal of a certain type of chemical.

Susan Haigh, a strong housing advocate, will help Governor Dayton select additional council members.

Concept Development Partners, LLC, will purchase $9 million of Granite City's newly issued convertible preferred stock and arrange for $10 million in debt financing, which will allow Granite City to buy back 3 million shares of outstanding common stock from its majority shareholder.

The plant is expected to provide more than 200 jobs during construction, which will begin January 10, and 47 full-time jobs in Kittson County after its completion.

Twin Cities Business' 2011 Business Information Guide contains 82 fact-filled lists-including "top 25" lists of advertising agencies, private companies, accounting firms, and businesses in many other industries.

The local company said that the acquisition will strengthen its position in the North American travel market by expanding its base of affiliated travel agencies to roughly 6,400.