ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton is seeking a meeting "as soon as possible" with Target Corp.'s chief executive about the significant layoff affecting employees at the company's Minnesota headquarters.

Dayton told reporters Wednesday that he did not get advance warning as is customary with major jobs announcements of state-based corporations. He says he wants to hear directly from CEO Brian Cornell about the discount retailer's commitment to the state and how it will conduct the downsizing.

A message with a company spokeswoman wasn't immediately returned.

Target announced Tuesday that it would cut several thousand jobs over the next two years, primarily at its headquarters that now employs more than 13,500 people. Dayton called the layoffs "tragic."

Dayton's family had a hand in founding Target but its direct ties have since lapsed.

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