The Economic Development Department started as the Department of Business Research and Development in 1947. At that time, the rights, powers, and duties by law imposed by and vested in the Minnesota resources commission, and the Minnesota tourist bureau were transferred to and imposed upon the newly created department. The Legislature changed the name of the department to the Department of Business Development in 1953, and then to the Department of Economic Development in 1967.
More details about the work of the department are included in their publication Minnesota Progress, published six times a year from 1967 to 1973. Copies of this periodical are included in the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library's collection.
The Legislature abolished the Economic Development Department in 1981 and established the Department of Energy, Planning, and Development (see Laws of Minnesota 1981, chapter 356, section 64).