Press Releases for January 2016
Blue Earth
From the Chamber: New members include Breen’s/Nemanics, Parts City, Thriven Financial—Bonnema & Steinhauer and Blue Earth Locker.
Express Diagnostics Int’l, Inc. (EDI) recently announced the formation of Express Diagnostics Global, Ltd. (EDG), a new subsidiary based in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Fairmont
From the Chamber: new members include Habitat for Humanity, Computer Lodge, LLC, CarpetPlus, Hardee’s, Jillian Vortherms Agency, Fairmont National Agency, TG Equipment, Inc., JL Computers, Intelligent Hire, LLC, The Healing Place, and Christy Selbrade—Edward Jones.
The City of Fairmont’s Rural Brain Gain Project recently received a $33,000 grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation to work on a media campaign to attract workers to the city.
Mankato
From Greater Mankato Growth: new members include Big Dog Sports Cafe, Investment Management and Associates, Inc., M2 Lofts, Rignell Family Chiropractic, River Valley Dental, KingPins, Minneopa Golf Club, Partners for Affordable Housing, Shell on 3rd Ave and Starr Cycle.
Tailwind Group and Community Bank were recently inducted into the Greater Mankato Growth Hall of Fame.
CliftonLarsonAllen recently hired Peter Wenker and Kimberly Warling.
Farrish Johnson Law Office recently hired new attorney Paul T. Moosbrugger.
I+S Group recently hired Tiffany Olson as director of marketing, following the retirement of Tami Paulsen.
Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest recently announced that Cal Duis, a teacher at Dakota Meadows Middle School, has been honored with the organization’s award for outstanding educators, the Capstone Teacher of the Year.
Christina Meyer of Community Insurance recently completed the Commercial Lines Academy with Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance. In addition, Meyer was also the first female named to the Fairmont Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. Board of Directors.
Marco was recently recognized by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in Minnesota.
Marco was also recently named by Great Place to Work® as one of the best small and medium workplaces in the U.S. on the annual 2015 Best Small & Medium Workplaces list, published in Fortune magazine. Ranked No. 14, this is the second consecutive year Marco has received this honor.
Shannon Beal with JBeal Real Estate Group was recently awarded the Realtor with Heart Award by the Realtor Association of Southern Minnesota. JBeal Real Estate Group also recently hired new agent Anthony White.
Century 21 Landmark Realtors recently hired LeAnn Valentine at its Mankato office.
United Prairie Insurance Agency (UPIA) is offering a free, in-person MNsure enrollment center in both Mankato and New Ulm until enrollment ends on Jan. 31.
Region Nine Development Commission (RNDC) recently received a $30,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to conduct an HIA on RNDC’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
Minnesota State University, Mankato was recently named one of the nation’s most outstanding business schools, according to the The Princeton Review. Minnesota State Mankato’s College of Business has been included in The Princeton Review rankings since 2006 (10 years in a row).
Atwood Property Management recently hired Megan Miller as general manager.
Jones and Magnus, Attorneys at Law recently hired Kelsey M. Murray as an associate attorney.
Blethen, Gage and Krause recently hired Alyssa K. Thibert as a new attorney.
Kato Insurance Agency, Inc. will be relocating to the second floor of Profinium Place on April 1.
First National Bank Minnesota recently hired bank officers Michael Laskey and Jana Finken.
Jerry’s ABRA Auto Body & Glass recently donated a refurbished vehicle to a single mother of two, a yearly tradition since 2008.
Westman Freightliner was recently acquired by Harrison Truck Centers, headquartered in Clear Lake, Iowa. Harrison Truck Centers plans to retain all Westman Freightliner employees.
Mapleton
Pioneer Bank recently hired Dan Benrud as an assistant vice president, ag/business banker.
New Ulm
From the Chamber: new members include Pike Driving School and E J Vacations & Pilgrimages, LLC.
The City of New Ulm was recently named to a national list, Top 10 Affordable Small Towns Where You’d Actually Want to Live, by Realtor.com.
Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest recently received $1,000 from the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce to implement the JA Career Success program for New Ulm area ninth graders.
Gislason & Hunter LLP recently hired Brittany King and Dean Zimmerli as new attorneys. Zimmerli will be located in the firm’s New Ulm office, while King will be based in the firm’s Mankato office.
St. James
Super 8 has made bicycles available for their customers. In addition, ADA pool lifts have been installed at the pool and spa at Super 8.
Dave Holmgren is a new member of the St. James Area Convention and Visitors’ Bureau.
Dena Gress is the new administrator of the St. James Good Samaritan Campus.
Jamie Scheffer has been named the new St. James Economic Development Director.
St. James Sertoma Club donated money for Christmas light decorations for the downtown area.
Sleepy Eye
The Chamber recently awarded the 2015 Manufacturing and Technology Award to Lifetime Eyecare Center.
Springfield
Springfield Chamber special events will be the Prom/Bridal Expo on Jan. 10 and a Cheers Wine/Chocolate Event on Feb. 6.
Waseca
From the Chamber: Recent Progress Awards were given to Paul DeMorett, Community Education Director; Jesse Sherman, plant manager at Cinch Connectivity Solutions; Chris Elvebak, City Community Development Director; Tom Borowski, administrator at Mayo Clinic Health System, Zack’s Customs, Alee Services, and Barden’s Bar; as well as Thrifty White Pharmacy for its recent opening. A Roots Award was recently given to Prairie Dental Arts. First Dollar Awards were recently presented to Crossings Inn & Suites, Current Rays, Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm and Farmhouse in the City 1890.
Theresa Sunde of Mediacom has been awarded the Mediacom Outstanding Achievement and Community & Government Relations Awards.
Scott Roberts is the new director of the Waseca Art Center.
Julie Poehler is the new floral manager at HyVee.
Amy Swain Hearing Center of Waseca, Owatonna and Austin will soon be expanding to Rochester.
Berg’s Pharmacy of Waterville and Thrifty White Pharmacy in Waseca have combined their businesses to the Thrifty White location.
SMILES Center for Independent Living recently celebrated 25 years of service.
