Minneapolis started 2026 under a national spotlight, as federal immigration enforcement actions sparked protests and caused the deaths of two citizens. As the surge ended, residents and business leaders found themselves nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize – a new identity for the City of Lakes, better known as a place where you can bike to the boardroom.
Indeed, its #4 Biking blending with #13 Walkability and a #24-ranked Public Transit network has made car-lite living real year-round. Community solidarity is nothing new: at the former Kmart site, the City’s New Nicollet plan (approved in 2025) is targeting mixed-income housing and street-level retail across 10 acres. A LaSalle Plaza food hall is slated for 2027, another nudge toward evening vitality. The #18 Large Companies ranking is supported by a metro labor pool near 2 million and Top 10 Labor Force Participation, while MSP’s capital upgrades reinforce its #18 Airports advantage. North Loop Green, completed in 2024, delivered 449 homes and roughly 365,000 square feet of office next to Target Field, keeping density (and foot traffic) high. Downtown hospitality added muscle when the Sheraton Minneapolis Downtown Convention Center reopened after a $40-million overhaul with more than 320 rooms, strengthening the meetings pipeline and soon, its #26 ranking.