Comments for Patent Pending

Comment on Elk Run gets major boost by JV

JV — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:14:42 +0000

There is already a brand new interchange at Hwy 12 - just opened about 3 years ago. Why are they spending more money there? It would make more sense to build it at County Rd 31 so that there would be more than one exit serving the area.

Comment on Elk Run gets major boost by MJ

MJ — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:43:41 +0000

I agree on the speculative nature of the project. A developer who can put together a $1 billion proposal for a bioscience business park can surely find a way to finance $15 million in highway improvements. It is not the public’s responsibility to provide them with improved access to Highway 52. Of course, we will now hear the usual drumbeat from Walz and others about the need for “job creation”. The fact that the project supports the politically-favored bioscience industry does not hurt its chances, either.

Comment on Farewell VitalMedix by John

John — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:31:05 +0000

The state of MN isn’t the problem. VitalMedix today just isn’t a bankable organization for a number of reasons including the leadership team and market size.

Comment on Farewell VitalMedix by Mitzi McRoberts

Mitzi McRoberts — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:44:13 +0000

This technology sounds incredible!!
I had an ectopic pregnancy in 1995 and was only seconds away of going into shock from blood loss. I live in Hudson
and am very happy your company is moving to Wisconsin. I am an individual
not a corporation but if you could use an employee to help out with clinical trials, or any openings the company may have I would love to apply. Is it possible to get more info on this medication? I am very interested.
THANK YOU.
Mitzi McRoberts

Comment on Wisconsin kicks our butt by Graeme Thickins

Graeme Thickins — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:01:42 +0000

… and that arguing would be from the clueless folks who control the legislature. The “political leadership” in MN is not the problem.

The really funny thing is, how hard is it for tech startups seeking funding to simply locate their businesses across the St. Croix? Hudson is a very nice town - that commute, even from West Bloomington where I am, is only 35 minutes. And from the East side, like Woodbury, maybe 10 minutes. Easy….

Comment on Selective memory by AnonTwo

AnonTwo — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:53:42 +0000

“Minnesota is also providing millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements to the planned Elk Run biosciences project in Pine Island.”

Actually while the state has officially committed several million dollars to Elk Run, they are also intent on building the developer a $70 million interchange. As you know the proposed first building is on a dirt road between two small towns (hence the request from the state for $3+ million to create infrastructure). Funding for the interchange is supposed to come from a variety of sources, including (apparently) $20 million in DOT funds designed for outstate Minnesota road projects as well as other Federal, State, County and City sources.

So instead of the $20 million to build the UEL building, Elk Run will benefit from a $70 million interchange that wouldn’t even be necessary if the developer had purchased land near roads with suitable existing highway access. I’d much prefer that $70 million came as angel investor tax breaks or other incentives to promote entrepreneurship.

To your point of “selective memory”, the tens of millions our state is spending on the interchange is absent the fact that not a single business has been identified to require such a huge public subsidy, nor a single scientist employed or building built. Just the promise of a developer who, as you first reported, became interested in biobusiness only AFTER the state refused their first multi million dollar infrastructure requests. Selective memory indeed.

Comment on Mpls makes the list (again) by Frank Jaskulke

Frank Jaskulke — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:01:16 +0000

Tom,

The Millken Report pointed out that Minnesota (they really shouldn’t have said Minneapolis since there are lots of life science firms on the St. Paul side) is near the top for medical devices but absolute bottom for biotech and health services.

I don’t understand what they mean by health services since we are world renowed for the quality and innovation of our health care delivery system.

But it is great to be considered one of the players, and a top ten one!

Comment on Mpls makes the list (again) by Matt Prater

Matt Prater — Thu, 21 May 2009 04:13:58 +0000

Our patent attorney per person density is also quite remarkable. We have more registration numbers per capita than many larger cities.

Comment on Decision time by Chris

Chris — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:59:56 +0000

Agree with Bocephus - the larger problem is, what is the appropriate governmental role in encouraging new business, and at what level (local/state/national)? I’d like to see state and national gov’t powers come to the table with a holistic point of view on it for once. It really makes no sense for states like MN and WI to niggle each other to death over a single company. In the grand scheme, this company will either succeed, create a lot of jobs in the U.S. and probably elsewhere too, or it won’t. Doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense to pit states against each other as they are now. As Thomas says, in a better world there would be no question that the company would stay here, but only because conditions tied it to U of MN at the start. VC can flow anywhere - that is becoming more and more true - it may be a little harder to get noticed here but it is very doable.

Comment on Decision time by bocephus

bocephus — Tue, 12 May 2009 04:16:23 +0000

I’m tired of states and municipalities competing with each other. I’m pro-business, but I’m tired of states and municipalities competing with each other to woo businesses with one-off deals or narrow tax policy, whether it be for sports teams, film productions, or medical startups. This is a bit too much whine to go with the Wisconsin cheese.