Greater Mankato, MN - The Way to Grow

greater

MANKATO MINNESOTA

RURAL. URBAN. CENTER. YOUR PORTAL FOR

THE MIDWEST

Photo Credit: Rich Gemmill

2016 | A publication of Greater Mankato Growth, Inc.

See where your big ideas can take you.

Big ideas. Real-world thinking. mnsu.edu

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GREATER MANKATO MINNESOTA

CONTENTS 5

15

BUSINESS & ECONOMY Welcome Top 10 Diverse Economy A Portal for the Midwest Marketplace Confidence Innovative Roots Talent Pipeline Stronger Together Agricultural Powerhouse

4 5 6 8 9 10 12 13 14

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LIVING HERE Discover Greater Mankato Community Profile Awards & Accolades Abundant Activities

ABOUT US

15 18 19 20

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Greater Mankato Growth (GMG) is committed to advancing business for a stronger community. As the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization serving the regional marketplace, GMG exists to intentionally develop the regional center by promoting, supporting and serving as a catalyst for economic development through business growth, retention and attraction, talent growth retention and attraction, regional livability and advocacy of the marketplace. Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. includes two affiliates: Visit Mankato, which focuses on visitor attraction and servicing, and the City Center Partnership, which focuses on development in the City Center.

greatermankato.com

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FOR MORE INFORMATION GREATER MANKATO GROWTH

Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development 1961 Premier Drive, Suite 100 Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 507.385.6640 Email: info@greatermankato.com greatermankato.com

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President & CEO’s Note

GROW WITH GREATER MANKATO

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reater Mankato is a vibrant and dynamic regional marketplace that includes the Mankato - North Mankato Metropolitan Statistical Area (encompassing Blue Earth and Nicollet counties), as well as communities immediately adjacent such as Le Sueur.

Located in a “sweet spot” of southern Minnesota, our residents and businesses have access to “bigger city” services and amenities in the core cities of Mankato and North Mankato, surrounded by delightful smaller towns and rural areas, with the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area just a short drive north.

“Imagine a place that’s … sophisticated and simple, progressive yet placid, innovative as well as intimate, worldly but also warmly welcoming...

That’s Greater Mankato”

Our residents can enjoy their morning coffee at their home located in the city, on a farm or by a lake, and be to their workplace in 12 minutes or less. And after work they can take advantage of the area’s many activities and attractions before enjoying a quick and easy drive home.

Capitol Sponsors:

Advocate Sponsors:

Our businesses capitalize on our diverse economy, productive supply chain and highly educated and broad talent pool. They leverage the region’s growing consumer base while creating long-lasting relationships with a broad range of business partners.

Residents are not alone in recognizing the unique combination of economic vitality, talent, livability, business environment and resources found only in Greater Mankato. This year, our region has been ranked highly in numerous nationally recognized lists including Forbes.

Read on and you will discover why so many have chosen Greater Mankato as the place to grow their businesses and families.

Jonathan G. Zierdt President & CEO Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. 4

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS FOR MAKING THIS PUBLICATION POSSIBLE:

Supporting Sponsors:

Hometown Sponsors: City of Mankato Mankato Area Public Schools

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

10 REASONS TO DO BUSINESS AND INVEST IN GREATER MANKATO 1. TALENT PIPELINE: With five higher education

institutions, the region has a combined average annual enrollment of 26,000 and graduates 5,000 students each year.

2. IDEALLY LOCATED: We are located just

60 minutes south of MSP, at the confluence of two four lane highways, 169/60 and 14. The region boasts a regional airport as well as freight rail service. We serve as a regional hub for health care, education, retail, agriculture and manufacturing across Southern MN.

3. LIVABLE & CULTURAL: From our vibrant

cultural and arts scene to outdoor activities galore, Greater Mankato has it all. Our people are warm and welcoming, the cost of living is lower than the national average and health care providers are world renowned.

4. 12 MINUTE COMMUTE: Sleep in and enjoy

your coffee at home, whether in the city, a farm or on the lake, within 12 minutes you’ll be to work.

5. LOW COST OF DOING BUSINESS: The

cost of doing business is 11% below the national average. We are proud to have the 5th lowest cost of doing business in the upper Midwest.

6. HIGHLY RATED: How can we fit them all on

here? #3 on Forbes 2014 Best Small Places for Business and Careers, #2 GDP growth in the State of MN, 8th in the Nation for best place for work-life balance....

7. SUPPLY CHAIN: We offer abundant existing

suppliers and complementary industries, with a particularly strong presence in metal, power generation, and electronics manufacturing as well as printing, limestone and sand mining, agriculture and food processing.

8. DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY: Our economic

strength and stability stem largely from our diversification. The region is comprised of 33% primary economy, 57% professional/service economy and 10% retail/consumer economy.

9. LARGE LABOR SHED: The MSA offers a

population of 98,600+. Factor in our labor shed, and we have a workforce of more than 250,000 within a 60 minute commute.

10. CURRENT INVESTMENT: With record numbers of projects and dollars invested and committed for 2016-17, our marketplace has been noticed and continues to be seen as a solid investment. More than $580 million has been invested across the marketplace within the last three years.

Photo Credit: Rich Gemmill

greatermankato.com

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A DIVERSE ECONOMY

THE KEY INGREDIENT TO OUR SUCCESS

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reater Mankato has a vibrant economy that has proven itself over time. The marketplace weathered the recent national economic recession better than most metropolitan areas across the country. Several factors contributed to this resiliency, including the industry makeup of the economy and a strong supply chain in the manufacturing sector. The diverse regional economy has been a leader in many categories such as personal income, regional domestic product and sales. On these pages you will find some key metrics that paint a picture of the local economy’s vibrant growth and success.

The region’s five higher educational institutions supply a diversely trained workforce (South Central College students pictured).

TOP PRIVATE EMPLOYERS 1,500+ EMPLOYEES

500-1,499 EMPLOYEES

250-499 EMPLOYEES

Taylor Companies, Mayo Clinic Health System, Minnesota State University, Mankato

MRCI WorkSource, Gustavus Adolphus College, Monarch Healthcare, Le Sueur Inc., Mankato Clinic, Verizon Wireless, Wal-Mart Distribution Center

Davisco Foods, MTU Onsite Energy, Coughlan Companies, Kato Engineering, MICO, Consolidated Communications, EI Microcircuits

For a complete list of top employers please visit greatermankato.com/major-employers.

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BUSINESS & ECONOMY

EMPLOYMENT SECTORS (% of nonagricultural jobs)

MAJOR ECONOMY SECTORS Primary Economy... 33% Professional Services/

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

BUSINESSES

Total Real GDP - All Industries growth

by MSA from 2010-2014

2,634 Private Sector

*Source: MN DEED QCEW, Q1 2015

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Minneapolis/ St. Paul 9.2%

2

Mankato/ North Mankato 4.9%

3

St. Cloud

4

Duluth

Service Economy...57% Retail/Consumer Economy... 10% *Source: MN DEED QCEW, 2014

3.6%

RETAIL, TOURISM & DINING

$4.5B

$203M Manufacturing...16.75% Health Care and Social Assistance

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Annual Hotel, Recreation and Food Sales *Source: MN Department of Revenue, 2014

The Mankato – North Mankato MSA had the second largest growth in Regional Domestic Product (RDP) in the state of Minnesota from 20102014 at 4.89%.

PERSONAL INCOME GROWTH Personal Income growth by MSA from 2010-2014

... 16.45% Educational Services... 14.88%

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Professional and Business Services...

7.45% Retail Trade... 7.15% Education and Health Services... 7.08% Wholesale Trade... 4.75%

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GROSS SALES In Billions

Public Administration... 4.55% Construction... 4.5% Information... 3.58% Finance and Insurance... 3.39%

+141% $6.3 $2.6

Accommodation and Food Services...

2.40% Other Services... 2.17% Transportation and Warehousing... 1.79% Natural Resources and Mining... 1.23% Utilities... .87% Real Estate and Rental and Leasing... .66% Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation...

Rochester -.04% *Source: Department of Commerce Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Annual Retail Sales

SECTOR DETAIL

4.0%

2000 2013 MANKATO - NORTH MANKATO

+58%

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$312.8

4

$197.8 5

2000 2013 STATE OF MINNESOTA

*Source: Minnesota Department of Revenue

Mankato/ North Mankato 21% St. Cloud 20% Minneapolis/ St. Paul 19% Duluth 15% Rochester 13% *Source: U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

From 2010 - 2014 the Mankato – North Mankato MSA experienced the highest growth rate among all Minnesota based MSAs at 21.23% peaking above $4 billion. This percentage of growth also places the MSA at 56th out of 382 MSAs nationwide.

.35% *Source: MN DEED QCEW, 2014

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A PORTAL FOR THE MIDWEST LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.

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reater Mankato is a multi-state gateway strategically located for access to and from Minnesota because of its strong transportation grid fueling economic activity in education, health care, manufacturing, retail and agriculture.

It boasts a vibrant state-of-the-art general aviation airport training future airline pilots, growing trucking services and logistics, freight rail access and public bus transit.

It also provides easy access with four-lane highways (U.S. 14 and U.S. 60 for east and west travel and Highway 169 for transport north and south) to carry goods throughout the Midwest and U.S. markets with easy movement to I-90 and I-35. These were chiefly the reasons why companies like the Wal-Mart Distribution Center and North Central Utility selected the area as a strategic logistics location.

“We’re able to provide service sooner, providing fresher products to the customer,” said Wal-Mart DC General Manager Mark Carlson. “It’s a good location to help service (our) network and still have access to good road systems, for not only ourselves but also our vendors.”

Highway 169 moves the equivalent of 30,000 tons of freight by truck per day with an average daily traffic count of 1,200-3,700 heavy commercial vehicles. It also carries the fifth heaviest freight volume of any highway in Minnesota. The top four are I-94, I-90, I-35 and Highway 52.

Highway 14 is one of the original United States highways of 1926 running from Yellowstone National Park to Chicago. It runs four-lanes from North Mankato to I-35 in Owatonna and is currently being expanded to add additional four-lane segments.

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TRANSPORTATION ASSETS Mankato Regional Airport

Direct access to U.S. Highways 169 and 14, State Highways 22 & 60 with highway connections to Interstates 35 & 90

Access to two Class I freight rail lines

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

MARKETPLACE CONFIDENCE

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reater Mankato has experiened significant, sustainable growth over the past three years (2012-2015). Across all industries, there has been more than $580 million in capital investment within the marketplace. Investment of that scale speaks to the confidence the businesses community has in their future here.

The 317 projects that generated the over half a billion of investment varied in size and scope. The 420,000 square foot Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Mankato created more than 500 jobs in the marketplace. The Creative Company, a publishing company, added on a 10,000 square foot addition to their facility in North Mankato. Econofoods had a multi-million dollar renovation project in Saint Peter.

Greater Mankato has continued to show up on the Forbes Best Small Places for Business & Careers list five years running.

For more awards and accolades see page 19.

The urban center of the region (downtown Mankato - North Mankato) has experienced a renaissance. New developers have poured in over $30 million of capital investment into one square block of the City Center within the last three years. This isn’t a blip on the radar either. Since 2000, there has been nearly $147 million of notable capital investment within the downtown.

Confidence in the marketplace can also be seen in the consistent addition of new jobs over the last five years. In 2015 there were more jobs in the marketplace than ever before and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

57,729 2.4%

Unemployment Rate

Total number employed

*Source: MN DEED LAUS, October 2014

Employment in the Marketplace

(for the Mankato-North Mankato MSA which includes all of Blue Earth & Nicollet Counties)

55,277

55,657

54,732

53,318

53,663

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Building investments have been at all-time highs across the marketplace for the last three years.

*Source: MN DEED, Current Employment Statistics (CES)

greatermankato.com

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INNOVATIVE ROOTS STARTUPS FIND SUPPORT AND SUCCESS IN GREATER MANKATO

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t’s no surprise that innovation and entrepreneurs thrive in Greater Mankato. It is home to The Center for Excellence & Innovation on the campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato. And there’s the Envision Lab, a co-working space in downtown Mankato, that is a hub for social entrepreneurs. The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) yearly awards the Ag Innovator of the Year trophies to businesses and small entrepreneurs who have excelled in innovation.

And Greater Mankato is home to the Regional Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation, which has helped more than a thousand small business owners achieve their goals.

The climate is ripe because Greater Mankato has a long history of innovation and incubation for entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Taylor Corporation started out as a single small business in North Mankato.

TAYLOR CORPORATION Taylor Corporation started out as a single small business in North Mankato and today is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. With more 10

than 80 domestic and foreign subsidiaries, and 12,000 plus employees, Taylor companies provide communication services, products and technologies to many of the most recognizable brands in the world.

ANGIE’S BOOMCHICKAPOP® Angie’s Boomchickapop, the official popcorn of the Minnesota Twins and a favorite of the Minnesota Vikings, makes a variety of non-GMO and gluten-free kettle corn and popcorn.

It found its beginnings in a cold Mankato garage but is now found in natural food, grocery, club and mass retail outlets nationwide.

DAVISCO Founded in 1943 by Stanley Davis with his purchase of the St. Peter Creamery, Davisco Foods International is now a business unit of Agropur and is a worldwide dairy business headquartered in Le Sueur.

They operate five dairy processing plants (cheese, whey and other dairy-based food ingredients) in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Idaho. Davisco Foods makes 65 percent of the whey protein isolates sold worldwide.

CAMBRIA Building on the success of Davisco Foods, the Davis family founded Cambria, the first and only familyowned, American-made producer of natural quartz surfaces in 2000.

Headquartered in Le Sueur, it has since become the premier source

for the freshest and most-expansive quartz palette for homes and businesses in the world.

VETTER STONE For more than a century, stone has been quarried, cut and shipped to destinations around the world from Minnesota quarries in the Kasota-Mankato stone district and from its Alabama quarries. A fourth generation family business, Vetter Stone and Alabama Stone have earned a reputation for consistent product quality, technical precision and personalized customer service.

Its stone was used to build the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian; the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, Oman; the Arizona Diamondbacks Stadium and even Target Field for the Minnesota Twins.

EI MICROCIRCUITS Starting out as a family-owned business in 1984, EI Microcircuits became an industry pioneer in surface mount technology, or SMT and one of the first to own and utilize robotic SMT placement machines.

Having now expanded to three manufacturing facilities in Mankato and St. Peter, they continue to design and manufacture a wide variety of sophisticated electronic devices and components utilized in critical applications from medical devices to industry and consumer products.

CAPSTONE PRESS Capstone was started by the Coughlan family who after running a successful quarry business wanted to diversify their businesses operations and expand into publishing.

Capstone is a leading publisher of children’s books and digital products and services, including myON, a platform of enhanced digital ebooks with multimedia supports that has more than 6 million student readers.

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS With a robust fiber network encompassing 4,500 fiber route miles in Minnesota and 13,717 route miles nationally, Consolidated Communications serves commercial and consumer customers with business and broadband communication solutions. With roots dating back more than 118 years in Mankato, the company has innovated and embraced change in the rapidly moving communications industry to become a leading provider in the region.

DOTSON IRON CASTINGS Started by a German immigrant in 1876, Dotson Iron Castings now produces 25 million pounds of finished ductile iron castings, including castings found on more than 75% of all semi-trucks on the road in North America.

KATO ENGINEERING In 1926, Kato Engineering was formed and under the eventual leadership of Cecil Jones developed and manufactured the rotary converter, a device that rural families could use to operate AC appliances from their DC storage batteries.

Today, Kato Engineering is owned

by Emerson and is part of the Leroy Somer Electric Power Generation business unit, the global leader in electric alternators.

JONES METAL INC. In 1942 when Kato Engineering, owned by Cecil Jones, needed a metal fabrication business, Cecil’s wife Mildred Jones started Jones Sheet Metal. Now 74 years later Jones Metal Inc. continues to produce high quality custom, complex metal fabrication and enclosures for local and international customers like Caterpillar, AGCO, EnerSys Power Systems, and Emerson to name a few. It also kept its tradition of women at the helm up to today, now in their 3rd generation of family ownership.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY ALUMACRAFT Alumacraft in Saint Peter started in 1946 continues to lead the industry in solidly, well-crafted aluminum fishing boats.

TBEI With a Small Business Administration loan, Eldon and Helen Jones started Crysteel Manufacturing in Lake Crystal and after being purchased

by Truck Bodies & Equipment International has become one of the world’s leading hoist, platform and dump body producers.

RIDLEY USA INC. R. D. Hubbard in 1879 established Mankato Milling later named Hubbard Milling. Now owned by Ridley USA Inc., a division of Alltech, they are one of the leading commercial animal nutrition companies in North America.

Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP got it’s start in Greater Mankato.

MTU ONSITE ENERGY Another local company that found its genesis in Kato Engineering is MTU Onsite Energy. First opened in 1952 as Katolight, MTU Onsite Energy is one of the core brands of Rolls-Royce Power Systems and is a leading provider of high – and medium-speed diesel and gas engines, complete drive systems, distributed energy systems and fuel injection systems.

ISG ISG started as I&S Engineers more than 40 years ago as a civil engineering firm in Ken Surprenant’s basement. Today ISG is a full service firm for high level architecture, engineering, environmental and planning strategies nationwide with 200+ staff in seven offices.

ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND In 1947, Lowell Andreas and brother Dwayne bought a soybean plant in Mankato and developed it into the nation’s largest soybean plant of its type. Then in the 1960s, the brothers were asked to manage Archer Daniels Midland. Within a year of that offer, Lowell was named president and helped grow the publicly held ADM for more than 30 years. Today, ADM Mankato processes and transforms soybeans into a variety of animal feed ingredients and foodgrade vegetable oils.

JARRAFF All-terrain tree trimmers produced

by Jarraff in Saint Peter provide utility, arbor and line maintenance contractors the high quality, innovative equipment they need to safely and efficiently clear land and maintain utility right-of-ways.

For a comprehensive list of Greater Mankato products and services please visit greatermankato.com. greatermankato.com

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A

ccess to a talented workforce is a key ingredient to business and overall community success. Greater Mankato is fortunate to be a region with a strong labor pool, a commitment to optimizing our talent surplus and abundant lifelong learning opportunities.

As a region, we are focused on how to attract, develop and retain the talented workforce that we need today and into the future. With five higher educational institutions within a 15 mile radius enrolling more than 6,000 new students each year, we have a natural draw for attracting new talent.

25,000+

Enrolled students in our five higher educational institutions

MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO • Comprehensive four-year university and second largest higher education institution in Minnesota • More than 18,000 students including nearly 1,200 international students from 90 countries • Offering more than 140 undergraduate programs, 80 graduate programs, bachelor’s, master’s, applied doctoral, associate and specialist degrees RASMUSSEN COLLEGE, MANKATO • Private college for business and professional careers • Approximately 650 students • Offering bachelor’s and associate’s degrees and diplomas and certificates in the following areas of study: business management, health science, nursing, information technology, digital design, education and justice studies SOUTH CENTRAL COLLEGE, NORTH MANKATO & FARIBAULT • Community and technical college • More than 5,500 students • Offering associate in arts degrees in liberal arts and science that allows students to take first two years of a bachelor’s degree, as well as 50 career and professional majors BETHANY LUTHERAN COLLEGE, MANKATO • Private, residential, Christian, co-educational liberal arts college owned and operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) • Nearly 600 students • Offering 19 majors and eight pre-professional programs

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL Some High School 6% High School 28% Some College 23% Associate Degree 12% Bachelor’s Degree 21% Post-Graduate 10% 12

GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE, SAINT PETER • Nationally recognized, private, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA) and host to the famed annual Nobel Conference • Nearly 2,500 students representing 43 states and 15 foreign countries • Offering 64 majors and 15 pre-professional programs

*Sources: Educational levels: 2014 Census Bureau, ACS; Enrolled students: Greater Mankato Growth

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

STRONGER TOGETHER

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ach of the communities in the Greater Mankato marketplace has its own unique characteristics, when combined creates a robust portfolio of regional assets. These communities – the cities of Eagle Lake, Lake Crystal, Le Sueur, Madison Lake, Mankato, North Mankato, Saint Peter and the counties of Blue Earth and Nicollet – joined with Greater Mankato Growth to form the Regional Economic Development Alliance (REDA). Region Nine Development Commission serves as a liaison from REDA to all of south central Minnesota.

greater MANKATO REGIONAL MARKETPLACE Le Sueur

Lee

Saint Peter

Madison Lake

North Mankato

Mankato

By working together we are able to efficiently provide regional as well as individual city and county information to businesses interested in the Greater Mankato marketplace.

Eagle Lake

Lake Crystal

Nicollet County Administrator Ryan Krosch told Connect Business Magazine the county joined REDA “to be a fuller player at the table with our other regional partners and help see continued prosperity in the region.

“We felt like it was a good use of resources to help the regional marketing efforts of Blue Earth County and Nicollet County. Their website is full of data for us and they’re able to provide marketing info, statistics, etc., on how to build our resources and data that we have and to be aware of what’s happening in the other communities.

“Any support we can provide our regional partners in promoting the area is a win for everybody.”

REDA Chairman Jim Beal added that “the cities that have participated feel a connection and a collaboration which is so important to the success of what we’re doing.”

REDA partner city Saint Peter’s historic Minnesota Avenue.

PARTNERS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EAGLE LAKE

MADISON LAKE

SAINT PETER

LAKE CRYSTAL

MANKATO

BLUE EARTH COUNTY

LE SUEUR

NORTH MANKATO

NICOLLET COUNTY

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AG POWERHOUSE YOUR PARTNER FOR CONNECTING AGRICULTURE IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

65% of Minnesota’s agbioscience is generated in our region

$10.1 Billion of economic impact represented in the area spanning the economic continuum

T

he single largest engine of the Southern Minnesota economy and the segment that helps the region weather economic downturns is agriculture.

Its roots are more widely spread across agribusiness with many larger sectors represented including dairy, pork, corn, soybeans, sugar beets, sweet corn, peas and turkeys. And the area is strong in food processing plants, renewable energy facilities and feed processing plants.

Manufacturing is often considered a sleeping giant in agriculture. From companies such as Dotson Iron Castings in Mankato where they design, engineer and produce iron castings, Avery Weigh-Tronix in Fairmont that specializes in scales, AGCO’s major operation in Jackson and Environmental Tillage systems in Faribault, to Davisco in Le Sueur, the list of those in the manufacturing arena is extensive.

“In the early years we made farm tractors (more than 500 were sold) and many agricultural implements,” says Denny Dotson, chairman of Dotson Iron Castings, the oldest manufacturer in Mankato with a history that goes

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14 Research and Educational Partnerships

back to 1876. “Today our iron foundry is still heavily involved in the ag industry, suppling castings to most of the major implement companies in the U.S. The [ag manufacturing] industry makes up 30 - 40% of our annual sales each year.”

The advancement of technology, driven by a desire to become more efficient and sustainable, has been booming from companies’ specializing in GPS technology to robotic milkers to developments in high tech drones.

In early 2013 Greater Mankato Growth began a process of connecting with the ag business community and launching what would be referred to as Project Ag Business Epicenter (ABE).

“Like other dominate industry clusters in the United States, Silicon Valley or The Research Triangle for example, if you are a person or a business that finds value in being connected to the ag business industry, the Southern Minnesota Agricultural Region is where you will want to be,” says Jonathan Zierdt, president & CEO of Greater Mankato Growth, Inc.

LIVING HERE

DISCOVER GREATER MANKATO A PLACE TO CALL HOME

W

ith all the services you would expect from a major metro and the charm you can get only from a close knit community, Greater Mankato is a wonderful place to call home. In addition to a strong economy, residents enjoy Greater Mankato’s scenic setting, abundant activities, shopping and dining, outstanding services and affordable cost of living. Given all these attributes, it’s no wonder why Bizjournals.com ranked Greater Mankato number seven on its national list of “Dream Towns.”

POPULATION

98,478

Mankato - North Mankato MSA

5.5M

Minnesota

A scenic setting over the beautiful Minnesota River Valley.

DISTANCE TO MAJOR CITIES NEARBY Minneapolis - St. Paul 79 miles Rochester 84 miles Sioux Falls 157 miles Des Moines 209 miles Chicago 432 miles

TIME ZONE Central

greatermankato.com

The Greater Mankato region is located in a “sweet spot” of Southern Minnesota with the core cities of Mankato and North Mankato surrounded by many other vibrant towns including Saint Peter, Le Sueur, Lake Crystal, Madison Lake and Eagle Lake. We are also about an hour’s drive from the Twin Cities including the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

CLIMATE

30’’

Average annual rainfall, national average is 37”

193

Average number of sunny days annually 15

Our residents can enjoy their morning coffee at home located in the city, on a farm or by a lake, and be to their workplace in 12 minutes or less. After work, they can take advantage of the area’s many activities and attractions.

A SCENIC SETTING Nestled in the scenic Minnesota River Valley, Greater Mankato is renowned for its great parks and trails and is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy nature, wildlife and recreational activities. Rivers, lakes, ravines, bluffs, natural prairies and forested areas offer breathtaking landscapes and provide a scenic backdrop for an area steeped in historic significance.

AFFORDABLE COST OF LIVING Residents tend to get more for their money in Greater Mankato. According to the Council for Community Economic Research’s Cost of Living Index, the average home price at the end of 2015 was $255,994, 21% less than the national average. While some might associate a low cost of living with an area in financial trouble, just the opposite is true of this region. Greater Mankato sits in an economically vibrant area with an ideal location and size that make living here affordable.

Trails abound in the region, making biking, running and hiking popular pastimes.

EDUCATION Greater Mankato has a strong and responsive education system. From preschool to college and beyond, learning is lifelong in Greater Mankato. The region’s K-12 schools are among the best in the nation, with innovative educators partnering with area businesses and organizations to ensure students are well-prepared to meet the needs of employers and as a result achieve success for themselves. The region is also fortunate to have five higher education institutions. In addition to providing a ready pool of talent, these institutions also provide continuing education and industry-specific training for area businesses. Other organizations also provide abundant professional development opportunities, including the more than 30-year-old Greater Mankato Leadership Institute and Greater Mankato Young Professionals program.

Education is strong both in and out of the classroom in Greater Mankato.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS Greater Mankato offers access to all the primary services residents want and need. In addition, the area is a health care mecca. It is the regional headquarters for Mayo Clinic Health System, with a hospital and 13 clinics throughout the region. The Mankato Clinic also has a comprehensive regional network with 12 area clinics. The Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic in Mankato is

LIVING HERE

COST OF LIVING

5% Below the national average *Source: Cost of Living Index

HOUSEHOLD INCOME

known as an expert in its field. And in nearby Saint Peter, Rivers Edge Health Care offers both a clinic and hospital.

Over the years, Greater Mankato’s health care providers have continued to expand their services, minimizing the need for area residents to travel for specialized medical treatment.

ENGAGED CITIZENS Greater Mankato residents embody a unique combination of Minnesota Nice and community commitment, with more than 100 civic and social groups. The continued national success of the Greater Mankato Area United Way’s annual giving campaign is testament to the generosity of citizens and businesses in the region. And individuals from a variety of walks of life also enthusiastically give of their time. Greater Mankato has had four community-wide visioning initiatives in the past 80 years, including the current Envision 2020 plan, designed to ensure the future ongoing success of the marketplace. Through the Greater Mankato Leadership Delegation, community, business and government leaders also look to other cities for new ideas to propel the community forward, taking inter-city leadership visits to Columbia, Missouri; Bellingham, Washington; Fort Collins, Colorado and Charlottesville, Virginia, in the past nine years.

greatermankato.com

$100,000+ $50,000 - $99,999 $25,000 - $49,999 $24,999 and under *Source: 2014 Census Bureau, ACS

TAXES Mankato .5% Food & Beverage Tax .5% City Sales & Use Tax .5% County Sales Tax* 6.875% State Sales Tax *starting April 16, 2016

North Mankato .5% City Sales & Use Tax 6.875% State Sales Tax

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COMMUNITY PROFILE DEMOGRAPHICS

TRANSPORTATION

REAL ESTATE

BICYCLE FRIENDLY

$163,300

BRONZE Level Bicycle Friendly

COMMUTE

12 Minutes Under 5 6% 6 - 17 15% 18 - 24 18% 25 - 44 26% 45 - 64 22% 65 and over 13%

RACE/ETHNICITY White/Caucasian 94% Residents of Color 6%

AIRPORT Mankato Regional Airport

Number of housing units

26

SOURCES

Residents hail from more than 26 different racial and/or ethnic backgrounds.

Different languages are spoken here

Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage

Closest International Airport, MSP. There are four major airports within a 3 1/2 hour drive

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Backgrounds

$1,337

76 Miles

The largest sector of residents of color are Latino/Hispanic followed by Black/African American.

Greater Mankato Transit System

Age, Ethnicity, Real Estate: Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010-2014 American Community Survey Languages: Mankato Area Public Schools Race/Ethnicity: Greater Mankato Diversity Council Written, compiled and created by Greater Mankato Growth, 2016.

For more information on Greater Mankato visit: greatermankato.com.

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37,129

Average commute to work

AGE

42

Median value of owner-occupied housing units, with a mortgage

Owners

Renters

There are 37,129 housing units in the Mankato - North Mankato MSA. Approximately 25,248 (68%) are owner-occupied and 11,881 (32%) are occupied by renters.

2.45

Average household size

LIVING HERE

Fall colors abound across the region.

FORBES BEST SMALL PLACES FOR BUSINESS & CAREERS In top 40 on Forbes Best Small Places for Business & Careers list five years running.

MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGE TOWN Mankato ranks most affordable college city in Minnesota and 336 in the nation, according to a Great Value College 2014 release.

2ND BEST PLACE FOR YOUNG FAMILIES The City of North Mankato was ranked 2nd best place in MN for Young Families in 2014 by nerdwallet.com.

5 BEST SMALL CITY IN AMERICA On the 2015 list of Best Small Cities in America from nerdwallet.com.

TH

6TH BEST HOCKEY TOWN In the U.S., a 2016 ranking by smartasset.com.

greatermankato.com

9TH BEST TOWN TO RAISE A FAMILY Niche ranked the city of North Mankato 9th on the 2015 list of best towns to raise a family in Minnesota. Also making the list were Mankato and Saint Peter.

3RD IN U.S. FOR AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE 3rd in the nation on livability.com's 2014 Top 10 Cities for Affordable Health Care.

5TH SAFEST COMMUNITY North Mankato, MN was ranked 5th safest city in the state by movoto. com in 2014.

8TH FOR WORK - LIFE BALANCE 8th in the nation according to a 2013 list on nerdwallet.com.

19TH TOP COLLEGE TOWN In 2014 the Mankato-North Mankato Metropolitan Statistical Area was ranked 19th in the nation for top college towns with under 250,000 residents by The American Institute for Economic Research.

ONE OF THE COOLEST URBAN SPACES IN THE U.S. Thrillist ranked City Center Mankato's CityArt as one of the 14 Coolest Urban Spaces in America on their 2015 list.

HOME TO ONE OF THE COOLEST PLAYGROUNDS Mankato's Sibley Park ranks 9th on NewsCastic's 2015 list of coolest playgrounds in the state of Minnesota.

4TH BEST OUTDOOR VENUE IN MINNESOTA Awarded to Vetter Stone Amphitheater in Riverfront Park from the Star Tribune in 2014.

BEST MINNESOTA WINERY The Star Tribune ranked Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery in Saint Peter, MN the best Minnesota winery on their 2015 Best of MN list.

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ABUNDANT ACTIVITIES FROM MINNESOTA VIKINGS TRAINING CAMP TO THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

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ctivities for participants and spectators alike abound in Greater Mankato. The area has many community sports leagues for players of all ages, as well as eight golf courses. Watching sports is also a Greater Mankato tradition, served up by the area’s high schools and college teams, and each summer - the Mankato MoonDogs baseball team and Minnesota Vikings Training Camp. The Riverfront Park Amphitheater is another popular summer destination, hosting concerts and festivals, including the annual RibFest. Throughout the year, the Verizon Wireless Center, with 5,280 seats and additional meeting spaces, provides a venue not only for Minnesota State University, Mankato Division I hockey, but also concerts, shows and conventions.

of Southern Minnesota, many dance companies, four community choruses, a symphony orchestra and community theater. In addition, area colleges offer outstanding, theater, music, dance and visual and written arts programs. And while strolling around the City Center, art is all around, with the annual CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour.

ARTS AND CULTURE Greater Mankato boasts a thriving arts and culture environment, with more than 15 museums and galleries including the popular Children’s Museum

Looking for all events and happenings?

Be sure to checkout visitmankatomn.com or greatermankatoevents.com.

SHOPPING AND DINING Greater Mankato is a retail center that attracts visitors from throughout southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. As a result, per capita retail spending is twice what it is in other similar trade centers in Minnesota. With hundreds of stores and restaurants, ranging from large national retailers to quaint local shops, residents and visitors can find all they need and more in Greater Mankato.

With miles of rivers Greater Mankato is an outdoor enthusiast’s haven.

LIVING HERE

The CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour features rotating sculptures spread across the City Center that draws thousands each year.

Building a Better World for All of Us

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Our work begins by understanding your challenges and your goals— the big picture. Then, we step back and look at all the details to form a complete solution that provides value and meets your needs.

MARKETS Buildings Energy Environmental Infrastructure Transportation

Power Up Your Business Consolidated Communications is a regional broadband leader with a rich history of service and growth. We are dedicated to turning technology into solutions, and delivering a better experience to our customers.

Water

Contact us at our Mankato office: 507.388.1989 877.316.7636 toll free sehinc.com

Data & Internet | Voice | Cloud Services Managed & Hosted | IT Services 844.YOUR.CCI consolidated.com

Excellence + Affordability

CUSTOM SOLUTIONS + WORKING INGENUITY ISG’s multi-disciplinary team of professionals are as diverse as our clients and markets. With a committment to the economic development of the communities we serve, ISG seeks to offer unique and ingenious solutions.

200+ PROFESSIONALS

with first + largest office in Mankato

With Minnesota roots and a focus on building long lasting relationships, ISG’s experts put real world experience to work that benefit our clients now and into the future.

40+ YEARS

= VALUE Do the math.

South Central College gives you more Value for your education dollar. At South Central College, you’ll receive an exceptional education. Featuring: • Smaller class sizes

of experience

• Individualized attention • Lower tuition

7 OFFICES

• Multiple financial aid options

with clients nationwide

• $300,000 in student scholarships

www.is-grp.com

Add it all up and you’ll see the Value of South Central College.

ARCHITECTURE

+

ENGINEERING

+

ENVIRONMENTAL

+

PLANNING

Choices. Value. Opportunities! www.southcentral.edu admissions@southcentral.edu Faribault Campus (507) 332-5800 North Mankato Campus (507) 389-7200 A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.

South Central College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator and has ADA accessible facilities.

Your Degree. Now With Flex Choice®.

Mankato Campus

800.658.7049

www.wellsconcrete.com

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(507) 385-6841

EnsurEs a constant flow of powEr. and pEacE of mind.

Continuous power is essential to factories, data centers and hospitals — wherever revenue or lives are at risk. MTU Onsite Energy offers reliable backup solutions. Manufactured in Mankato and backed by over 60 years of experience, our diesel generator sets provide an industry-leading 85 percent average load factor, reliability and availability. www.mtuonsiteenergy.com

A Rolls-Royce Power Systems Brand

greatermankato.com

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GREATER MANKATO GROWTH Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development

1961 Premier Drive, Suite 100 Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 507.385.6640 greatermankato.com