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Dayton Says Target CEO Affirms Commitment To Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton said Monday he received assurances from Target Corp.'s chief executive that the company will keep a robust corporate presence and its headquarters in Minnesota.

Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith met privately for 45 minutes with Target CEO Brian Cornell and two other executives at the retail giant's downtown Minneapolis headquarters. It came after last week's announcement that Target would shed thousands of jobs, primarily in the corporate offices, as part of a plan to find $2 billion in savings. Target also has a corporate campus in Brooklyn Park.

Dayton said he's leaving it to the company to reveal how many people will lose their jobs and how fast.

"It's going to be difficult, it's going to be painful," Dayton said. "There is no sugarcoating this for anybody."

Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder wouldn't give details about timing of the layoffs. "Out of respect for the team, we have shared that we will communicate with them about next steps first," she said in an email.

Dayton said he was invited to be part of a conference call later in the week to receive additional updates.

The governor, whose family helped found Target, said he was convinced the company has come up with transition plans that will soften the blow of layoffs to affected employees. Dayton said Cornell did not ask for state financial assistance for Target of any kind.

Target is Minnesota's largest for-profit employer.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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