VIRGINIA — A recently released independent analysis underscores the significant economic footprint of Essentia Health across northern Minnesota, particularly in the Brainerd lakes region and the Iron Range. Conducted by economic development consulting firm Northspan, the study evaluates both direct and indirect employment as well as broader financial contributions generated by the healthcare provider.\n\nIn Crow Wing and Cass counties, Essentia serves as the largest employer, directly supporting 967 jobs through St. Joseph’s Medical Center and affiliated clinics. Additionally, its operations stimulate an estimated 1,119 indirect positions in surrounding sectors. Across the Iron Range, including facilities in Virginia, Aurora, and Deer River, along with clinics in Babbitt, Ely, Hibbing, Grand Rapids, and International Falls, the organization directly employs 849 individuals.\n\nBeyond hospital and clinical roles, Essentia’s presence fuels approximately 850 additional jobs in areas such as construction, medical supplies, logistics, and equipment manufacturing—making it one of the most substantial non-mining employers in the area.\n\n”Our mission goes beyond delivering high-quality medical services to thousands annually in the Brainerd Lakes region,” said Todd Defreece, senior vice president of operations at Essentia, in a public statement. “This data highlights how our workforce also strengthens community resilience and economic sustainability.”\n\nThe assessment measured economic influence through multiple channels, including organizational revenue, staff wages, procurement spending, and expenditures made by employees. The findings indicate that Essentia contributed $734 million to the Brainerd area economy and $583 million across the Iron Range and adjacent regions.\n\nMatt Kilian, president of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that while tourism is often associated with the region, healthcare plays a pivotal role in attracting residents and sustaining local economies.\n\n”Reliable access to top-tier medical services is essential for community vitality and long-term growth on the Iron Range,” noted Ida Rukavina, commissioner of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. “Essentia not only treats patients but also supports well-paying employment both within and beyond clinical settings. As rural healthcare faces evolving pressures, collaboration with institutions like Essentia is vital to maintaining both public health and regional prosperity.”\n— news from KAXE\n\n— News Original —\nEssentia Health highlights job numbers, economic impact in new study\nVIRGINIA — Essentia Health is highlighting a new third-party report that shows the system’s economic impact throughout Northern Minnesota. \nThe study from economic development firm Northspan measures the jobs and economic output from the organization in the Brainerd lakes area and on the Iron Range. \nEssentia is the biggest employer in Crow Wing and Cass counties, with 967 staff between St. Joseph ‘s Medical Center and its outlying clinics. The organization ‘s work indirectly creates another 1,119 jobs. \nEssentia directly employs 849 in the greater Iron Range region, including at the Virginia, Aurora and Deer River hospitals and the Babbitt, Ely, Hibbing, Grand Rapids and International Falls clinics. \nThe organization indirectly creates another 850 jobs in construction, medical equipment and supply chain and logistics. It ‘s one of the largest employers in the region outside of the mines. \n”We are proud to deliver exceptional, nationally recognized care to tens of thousands of patients in the Brainerd Lakes area every year,” said Todd Defreece, senior vice president of operations at Essentia, in a news release. \n”This report shows that our team’s work also has a major impact on community health and economic stability in the region.” \nThe study calculated Essentia’s economic impact by looking at the organization ‘s revenue, employee salaries, Essentia’s spending and the goods and services purchased by Essentia employees. \nThat amounted to $734 million in the Brainerd area and $583 million on the Range and beyond. \n“When people think about the Brainerd Lakes Area, tourism usually comes to mind. What many people don’t realize is that health care is one of our biggest economic drivers and a major reason people choose to live in the area,” said Matt Kilian, Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce president, in the release. \n“Access to high quality health care is foundational to our communities and crucial to the future of the Iron Range,” said Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Commissioner Ida Rukavina, in the release. \n“This report shows that Essentia does more than just care for Iron Rangers: they play an important economic role in our communities by supporting good-paying jobs in and outside of their hospitals and clinics. As rural health care continues navigating new challenges, we must stand together with the organizations that support the health and economic strength of communities across the region.”