A contingent from Prime braved sub-zero temperatures Dec. 15 to share lunch with Gov. Tim Pawlenty at the Osseo American Legion. The governor was in town as the keynote speaker at the Osseo Business Association (OBA) monthly meeting. After shaking hands and exchanging in small talk with audience members, Gov. Pawlenty spoke for 30 minutes on a variety of topics.

Gov. Pawlenty said he is proud of Minnesota’s accomplishments as a state, noting that its rankings in most quality-of-life measurements are in the top five to 10 nationally. While these ratings are positive, Pawlenty said one of his priorities while serving as governor since 2003 has also been to “provide access to jobs and economic opportunity.”

To help spur job creation and innovation in the state, the governor said Minnesota’s elected officials must “ask business people and business leaders what will make them more successful” and find new solutions to move the state forward.

”Nostalgia isn’t a strategic plan for the future,” he said. “Minnesota needs to be more competitive.”

Pawlenty also gave the assembled crowd his thoughts on health care and education, and took several questions from the audience to round out his appearance in Osseo.