The Grand Unveiling

It’s here. The 2016 50 Best Places to Work list is unveiled in these pages, outlining the companies in our region with the most progressive policies, highest employee satisfaction, best opportunities for professional advancement and most engaging workplace culture, nominated by their own employees. It’s an honor our winners don’t take lightly. So we don’t take lightly our responsibility to select them.

Some companies were nominated based on their managers’ concern and interest in their employees’ well-being, both personally and professionally. Some were nominated based on benefits packages that go above and beyond, or on overall quality and commitment to mission and objective. Whatever the reason, our nomination spreadsheet was overflowing with employees eager to share what makes their workplaces great. From those entries comes this year’s list, encompassing a wide array of sectors and services from all over North Dakota, South Dakota and western Minnesota. Turn to page 36 to see our winners. Congratulations to them all.

This September issue of Prairie Business also features coverage of workplace wellness, a concept that goes beyond physical health. Blue Cross Blue Shield promotes six elements of health, encouraging companies to include all of them in their wellness programs. Find out what those six elements are and how to nourish them in A Culture of Health, starting on page 66.

We also delve into real estate this month, highlighting a unique and practical program developed by Gate City Bank that consolidates student loan debt with an affordable, fixed interest rate for the bank’s mortgage loan customers. Our sources say people with significant student loan debt sometimes can’t qualify for mortgage loans, or can’t qualify for the amount they need to get the homes they want. Gate City says the program is a win-win because it helps young people invest in their communities. Read what people who used the program have to say about its benefits, and how it works, starting on page 70.

Business Insider spotlights the chief operating officer of Midco — a woman who has discovered a passion in expanding female leadership opportunities and has dedicated much of her time in different roles within the company to it. She has worked in several positions with Midco and says her optimism and competitiveness have helped her get where she is today. Find it on page 34.

Capping our editorial is Construction Corner, featuring the beginnings of what developers hope will be an intricate community in Sioux Falls, S.D., with apartment buildings, restaurants, salons and other businesses, all within walking distance. One apartment building is up and another is on the way, building toward the anticipated nine, housing 2,000 residents. And developers of the project say the 80-acre tract is only becoming a better location as other businesses spring up around it. Find it on page 74. PB

KORRIE WENZEL, Publisher

STACI LORD, Ad Director

LISA GIBSON, Editor

KAYLA PRASEK, Staff Writer

BETH BOHLMAN, Circulation Manager

KRIS WOLFF, Layout Design, Ad Design

Account Managers

NICHOLE ERTMAN

800. 477.6572 ext. 1162 nertman@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

GARRETT RICHIE

248.202.8955 grichie@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

Prairie Business magazine is published monthly by the Grand Forks Herald and Forum Communications Company with offices at 375 2nd Avenue North, Grand Forks, ND 58203.

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Prairie Business magazine

PO Box 6008

Grand Forks, ND 58206-6008

Beth Bohlman: bbohlman@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

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