State Senator Cal Larson was appointed in September to serve on the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation Board by St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly. The Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation is a private nonprofit that provides leadership for the implementation of a redevelopment agenda for the City's downtown. Senator Larson is also an appointed member of the Great Lakes Commission and the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.

Oglebay Norton Co. announced this fall that all of its limestone and lime operations will be unified under the name O-N Minerals. The new name applies to all the company's Michigan Limestone operations and Global Stone locations.