Here is to Minnesota’s workers — native-born and immigrant, rural and urban, white-collar and blue.
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From factories to farms, from production lines to professional offices, Minnesota workers bring a combination of determination, education, and reliability. In our state, hard work is not just expected – it is a badge of honor.
I remember one snowy morning arriving early to shovel the entrance to our building. To my surprise, two co-workers were already there, shoveling quietly. No one asked them to. They were not paid extra. They just saw what needed to be done and did it. That same ethic plays out in every corner of the state, every day.
Business leaders with multi-state operations often say the same thing: “Our Minnesota location just runs better.” Fewer absences. More output and better attitude. That is not a fluke — it is how Minnesotans are wired.
The data confirms it. Minnesota ranks near the top nationally in labor force participation, educational attainment, and productivity. Almost three-fourths of Minnesota adults have pursued education beyond high school. Our workforce is both present and prepared.
Among the most inspiring contributors to this ethic are immigrants — many of whom bring their own traditions of grit, perseverance and diligence. In Minnesota, Latinos (the immigrant group with the most readily available data) have the highest labor force participation rate of any demographic group. Latinas, in particular, have seen real income and educational attainment grow more than twice as fast as their non-Hispanic peers.
But beyond statistics, it is character that counts. Minnesotans believe there is dignity in work — it is how people apply their talents, creativity, and discipline to build a better life and support their families. Work contributes to one’s worth, builds independence, and fosters growth. At the same time, it strengthens communities by creating prosperity, trust and shared purpose.
A society that values and promotes work not only reduces inequality — it unlocks human potential. In this way, work is both a path to personal fulfillment and a cornerstone of the common good.
Whether it is a lifelong Minnesotan showing up early or an immigrant building a new future, the ethic is the same: pride in work, personal responsibility and belief in opportunity.
We are fortunate to be home to such people.
So, here is to the Minnesotans who work hard and get it done. They deserve more than our thanks. They deserve state government that works as hard — and as competently — as they do.
Patrick Knight is a resident of Orono and CEO of a Twin Cities food processing company.
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