Lake County offers an eager, reliable workforce that is well educated, stable and open to new opportunities. Specialized labor skills make the area ideal for growth-oriented companies involved in minerals production, forest products, transportation, industrial equipment manufacturing and back office operations. Businesses profit from the region's strong work ethic and competitive labor costs.

Lake County is close to several higher educational institutions in the Arrowhead Region of northeastern Minnesota and Douglas County, Wis., including two universities, several state-sponsored community colleges and numerous vocational schools.