Agriculture, Energy and Natural Resources

Agribusiness

The Chamber is a strong advocate for the agriculture industry, focusing especially on Minnesota and North Dakota, and supports initiatives and policies that enhance its vitality. Our region is an epicenter for various agricultural equipment manufacturing, food processing, commodity marketing, extension research, land improvement and conservation efforts. As such, The Chamber supports these existing industries and new initiatives as their existence provides value added synergies toward a strong economy and enhanced food security network locally, nationally and internationally.

Agriculture Access to Capital

The Chamber recognizes the importance of reliable and affordable access to financial capital and supports policies and initiatives that both retain existing and attract additional capital required by our agriculture industries to achieve viability, growth and prosperity. Examples include both traditional and non-traditional types of debt and equity financing. The Chamber also recognizes the need for start-up capital for beginning farmers, ranchers and agri-businesses in the genesis for innovation and sustainability of agriculture.

Regulatory

The Chamber supports predictability in energy markets by opposing burdensome, unnecessary regulations and mandates that increase costs for businesses and consumers. The Chamber supports responsible regulations driven by and in response to local conditions and needs. The Chamber recognizes that energy resources compete in regional markets that are significantly impacted by federal policy as well as state and local interventions. Thus, The Chamber does not support prohibiting energy development or affording advantages to one type of energy resource at the expense of another.

Energy Infrastructure

The Chamber supports the development of essential energy infrastructure including transmission lines, power generation facilities and pipelines to produce and transport local energy to regional and national markets. The Chamber encourages increasing refining capabilities to drive additional investment in local energy resources, strengthen the economy and increase the availability of a reliable supply of natural resources.

Comprehensive Energy Policy

The Chamber supports the thoughtful development of regional energy resources, as well as local access to a vast array of resources that provides the link to comprehensive energy solutions and promotes energy independence.

Environmental Stewardship

The Chamber values our natural environment and encourages responsible stewardship of state water, State Trust Lands, minerals, wildlife and other natural resources. The Chamber supports sound policies and programs that promote both economic and environmental sustainability.