President Obama returns to Minnesota on Friday to address the economy at an event on Honeywell's Golden Valley campus.

According to a White House press official, Obama will urge Congress to act on a "to-do" list before summer recess. The five-point list includes eliminating tax incentives for companies to outsource jobs, cutting red tape for homeowners refinancing mortgages, passing tax credits to encourage investments in clean energy manufacturing and to encourage small businesses to create new jobs, and investing in programs to get jobs for military veterans.

Honeywell International Inc. spokesman Bruce Anderson said he didn't know why Honeywell was chosen for the stop but speculated it might involve honors the company has received for supporting veterans. The $35 billion manufacturer last year came out in support of Obama's plan to recruit and train veterans, and it set a target of hiring 500 veterans in 2011 across its four business lines. Honeywell ended up hiring more than 600, Anderson said.

"We're very honored to be hosting him at our facility," Anderson said of Obama's visit.

Honeywell has several facilities around the Twin Cities and about 12,000 employees and retirees in the state, Anderson said, although its corporate headquarters are in Morris Township, N.J.

Its automation and controls business group is based in Golden Valley, where it has both corporate offices and manufacturing facilities producing a variety of components for devices used in heating and air-conditioning equipment, Anderson said. Research and design are also done there.

The automation and controls arm makes a range of environmental and security controls for homes and buildings; software used by refineries and wastewater treatment facilities; and sensors installed in health care devices.

Obama is also scheduled to attend a fundraising lunch Friday at the Bachelor Farmer, a Minneapolis restaurant owned by Gov. Mark Dayton's sons Eric and Andrew. The brothers said they couldn't offer additional information but that they're looking forward to "welcoming the president to Minneapolis."

David Axelrod, one of Obama's top political strategists, has said he doesn't expect Minnesota to be a battleground state for 2012 but that the campaign still plans to fight here.

Jennifer Bjorhus • 612-673-4683