Initiatives

All these initiatives, or areas of work, are meant to be intellectual collisions — that is, where disagreement is not only expected but encouraged. All the issues are complex, perhaps taking a whole generation to achieve. We hope to bring people together who may disagree at first about how to proceed. Out of that we will achieve some consensus of what to do next in accordance with GWC’s bias for action.

The leadership team of GWC is also, as of this posting, organizing a first Advisory Council. We will pose strategic questions for this group and seek their advice about how to proceed with the mission.

Bio

Biomimetics International. Using nature + design, Biomimetics International is working to create an exciting and important intersection between innovation and sustainability. By drawing inspiration from nature to solve human problems, this organization is tapping into the rich wisdom that nature has developed over billions of years. That’s an incredible mindset, especially when it comes to reducing environmental impact and creating solutions that work in harmony with ecosystems.

How do you see the future of biomimetics evolving, especially in the context of climate change and resource scarcity? Are there specific projects or areas where you think nature-inspired solutions could make the biggest impact?

Commerce Mobility

The question of how much international air freight is being transported by truck from Chicago really gets to the heart of efficiency in global logistics. Chicago, being a major transportation hub, handles a significant portion of air freight, and it’s crucial to understand how much of that freight is being trucked to and from other locations, especially in the Upper Midwest.

Partnering with SRF Consulting for the International Commerce Mobility (ICM) Forums provides a great step in bringing together a cross-sector group of stakeholders—academics, public officials, and private industry leaders. The insights they can provide on the flow of goods, regional infrastructure, and bottlenecks in the supply chain will be key in identifying areas where improvements are needed.

Analyzing the current supply chain model, and then assessing potential alternatives (such as optimizing rail, expanding inland ports, or improving air-to-rail connectivity) could unlock efficiencies that benefit the region as a whole.

Some questions that could drive the discussions:

  • What are the key pain points in moving freight by truck right now? Are there congestion issues, environmental concerns, or infrastructure gaps?

  • Could alternative transportation routes or methods, like rail or even air-cargo hubs at smaller regional airports, play a role in easing the pressure on truck transportation?

  • How do you integrate sustainability into these solutions? Can carbon emissions be reduced while improving supply chain resilience?

It also seems like a focus on research will be necessary to understand the broader economic impact, including the cost of transportation and delays, and how it affects the wellness industry and the region’s broader economic goals.

In terms of next steps, do you think there will be a focus on building new infrastructure or more on optimizing existing systems? Also, are there any specific challenges you anticipate when trying to build consensus among such diverse stakeholders?

Please see our new International Commerce & Mobility Forums webpage for further details.

What Cities Do Best

Cities should double down on their unique strengths, whether that’s culture, technology, education, or something else, and leverage those assets to foster growth and innovation. But the state also plays a critical role in helping these cities thrive—whether by providing infrastructure, facilitating partnerships, or creating policies that complement local strengths.

Rochester’s focus on health, driven by the Mayo Clinic, is a great example of a city leaning into its unique strength. Other cities most often mentioned are Duluth, St. Cloud and Mankato.

Health and wellness as a cornerstone of regional identity and strategy can have powerful ripple effects—attracting talent, innovation, and investment while aligning with broader national and global trends like the increasing emphasis on preventative care, medical technology, and research.

What’s exciting is that by looking at other cities’ assets, you can start to weave together a multi-faceted, collaborative regional strategy. For instance, a city with strengths in agriculture or food production (like Minneapolis) could partner with Rochester’s health expertise to explore the intersection of nutrition, wellness, and food systems. Or a city with expertise in technology and digital infrastructure might contribute to health tech innovations, especially as telemedicine and digital health tools continue to expand.

When you consider the Upper Midwest as a whole, there’s a real opportunity to build a regional identity that combines health, sustainability, and innovation. And then, as you mentioned before, the question becomes: how can the region’s transportation strategies support and enhance this vision? If the region becomes a hub for health, wellness, and sustainable industries, optimizing the movement of goods and services will be essential.

It feels like the next step is to weave these strengths into the transportation and supply chain strategy, so it not only serves the current needs but anticipates and supports future growth in the wellness sector. Collaboration across sectors could potentially create a strong infrastructure for both people and goods to flow freely and efficiently, while also making the region an even more attractive place to live, work, and invest.

As for building consensus, I think the key will be finding common ground where everyone sees the long-term benefits—whether that’s reducing transportation costs, improving access to healthcare, or enhancing regional competitiveness. It’s all about aligning shared goals and figuring out the right incentives to get everyone onboard.

What do you see as the biggest opportunity for regional collaboration right now? Are there particular industries or sectors that could act as a bridge to pull the region’s assets together?

Do you think that state-level strategies currently do a good job of highlighting what cities are best at, or is there room for improvement?

Water

The Water initiative sounds like it’s stepping into a critical need. As the availability and quality of water become more pressing issues, especially in the Upper Midwest where the assumption has long been that water would always be abundant, there’s definitely an opportunity—and a necessity—for forward-thinking strategies.

Water scarcity isn’t just about running out of water; it’s also about its accessibility and quality. The Upper Midwest, for example, has traditionally been one of the nation’s more water-rich areas, so the sudden realization that this resource is at risk can be a huge wake-up call for many cities. It’s especially tricky because climate change, industrial demands, population growth, and agricultural needs are all putting pressure on water resources.

For the initiative to be successful, it seems like it will need a multifaceted approach:

  1. Infrastructure upgrades—many cities might need to update old, leaky pipes or modernize water treatment systems.

  2. Sustainable water management—looking at long-term solutions for water usage, conservation, and preservation.

  3. Public education—ensuring that people are aware of the importance of saving water and making sustainable choices.

  4. Collaboration between states and municipalities—regional cooperation might be key, as water systems don’t always align neatly with city or state borders.

The risk is that if areas aren’t proactive, it could end up being a crisis, not just for those communities, but for the economy and public health too.

What’s your take—do you think there’s a sense of urgency around this issue, or is it something that’s still being treated like a distant problem?

Future well-being should top the agenda for 2023: Minnesota’s surplus is an opportunity to lead.

This column by Star Tribune Editorial Writer Lori Sturdevant appeared in the December 17, 2022 issue. It is timely and on point. Click here to read the column.

The Future of Wellbeing Foresight Project took place in 2022. Its purpose was to guide the planning of global wellbeing, giving an opportunity for Minnesota to lead the way.

The project aimed to develop a vision and potential path forward for Minnesota’s role in the future of global health and wellbeing looking out to 2040. Read the report here.