mnvalley 7 13

Building is boomingContractors see strong demand return

xxxxxxxxxxx

Also in this issue• Arnie’s Sales & Service

• Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine

• Broad Street Brick & Patio

RW Carlstrom Construction built the new Mankato Public Safety Center.

From left: Danny Umhofer, Scott Umhofer, Jeremy Hatlevig and Dan Gjerde.

The Free PressMEDIA

MNVB July p01.indd 1 6/18/2013 4:19:54 PM

Not everyone listens as well as we do.


Corporate GraphicsYour Printing Solutions Company

www.corpgraph.com800-729-7575

Bright colors!Bright ideas!

MN Valley Business • july 2013 • 3

Not everyone listens as well as we do.

257-3730109 E. LERAY, EAGLE LAKE

Located Just 5 Minutes From River Hills Mall

Serving the Mankato Area Since 1975

MEMBER

EmergencyRoad Service

Complete Auto

RepairForeign & Domestic

Pickup & Delivery Available


4 • july 2013 • MN Valley Business

VehicleGraphics

For fleets of 1 to 100+

Sign Pro has over 20years of experiencedressing companyvehicles to match thelook and feel of anybusiness.

• Full wraps• Partial wraps• Door logos• Custom design

507.345.3388signpromankato.com

of Mankato ADVERTISINGThe Choice is Black and White

Spot On

the

spotthat will bring home

results!Our readers become

your customers with

when you advertise with

us. Be a part of the

leading community

news source, and

unleash your potential.

The Free PressMEDIA

RETAIL ADVERTISING [email protected]

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 507-344-6395classifi [email protected]

418 South Second Street, Mankato, MN

MNVB July p01.indd 4 6/20/2013 11:24:52 AM


F E A T U R E SJuly 2013 • Volume 5, Issue 10

Arnies Sales& Service

Arnie and Eileen Wadekamper have made their way by juggling a number of businesses including lawn mower sales, snowplowing, selling firewood

and making maple syrup.

24Taj Mahal

Indian CuisineTony Bassi, the 35-year-old

manager of Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine, started his restaurant

career after high school when he went to work for his father.

20Broad StreetBrick & Patio

Connie Hoffman found a niche in the local market in 1989 when she

opened Broad Street Brick & Patio. Today her son Chad helps run

the business.

28

ABouT The CoveRPhoto by The Free Press Media photographer xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Tony Frentz, like other local contractors, is busy this summer.

14ADVERTISING

The Choice is Black and White

Spot On

the

spotthat will bring home

results!Our readers become

your customers with

when you advertise with

us. Be a part of the

leading community

news source, and

unleash your potential.

The Free PressMEDIA

RETAIL ADVERTISING [email protected]

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 507-344-6395classifi [email protected]

418 South Second Street, Mankato, MN



PUBLISHER

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS

PHOTOGRAPHERS

COVER PHOTO

PAGE DESIGNER

ADVERTISINGMANAGER

ADVERTISING SALES

ADVERTISINGASSISTANT

ADVERTISINGDESIGNERS

CIRCULATIONDIRECTOR

James P. Santori

Joe Spear

Tim Krohn

Tim KrohnPete SteinerDavid OlsonKent ThiesseMarie Wood

Pat ChristmanJohn Cross

Pat Christman

Christina Sankey

David Habrat

Karla Marshall

Barb Wass

Sue HammarChristina Sankey

Denise Zernechel

July 2013 • VOluME 5, ISSuE 10

MN Valley Business is published by The Free Press Media monthly at 418

South 2nd Street., Mankato MN 56001.

For editorial inquiries, call Tim Krohn at 507-344-6383.

For advertising,call 344-6336, or e-mail

[email protected].

Economy rises with building

MV

Commercial and residential construction appear to be on the cyclical upswing again in

the Mankato area.Many of the contractors we talked

to this month indicate the upswing is driven by some pent up demand and decent interest rates. They also report a few challenges getting to work in a timely manner. There are some waiting lists.

Construction in the Mankato region stands as one of the key industries, but also one that fluctuates more than others..

A look at construction payroll in Blue Earth County in 2012 (latest year available) shows it usually is smaller in the first quarter (about $14 million), grows in the second quarter as the weather improves (to $18 million or a gain of 28 percent from first quarter), rises further in the third quarter ($21.6 million) and declines, though slightly, in the fourth quarter ($20 million).

So we’re right in the middle of the seasonal rise.

From 2010 to 2012, construction wages rode a little bit of a roller coaster from $74 million in 2010, $77 million in 2011 and slipping a little bit back to $74 million in 2012.

That is the nature of a cyclical industry.

Contractors seem to understand this and usually diversify their operations. When new building tails off, they move to remodeling.

The construction industry in both Blue Earth and Nicollet counties make up 4 percent of the total wages with annual payroll of about $81 million. While the industry may not represent a major portion of the area’s employment, it suggests a certain amount of economic activity that makes a big difference.

The construction industry follows the level of major investments businesses and consumers are willing to make. And when businesses and consumers are willing to make large investments in business buildings or homes, it suggests a certain level of business and consumer confidence.

So, just as we heard from auto

dealers last month about fairly strong gains in car buying – another major investment – now we hear from contractors about business and consumer investment in bricks and mortar.

With Minnesota State University in Mankato and the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center campus in St. Peter, the Mankato region will also benefit from bonding bills likely to go through the Legislature next year.

Mankato’s civic center, by many accounts, is finally likely to get its $10 million to $14 million investment it has been politely requesting for almost a decade.

Road projects also count as construction, and Mankato has a hefty share of those as well. Some $14 million will come into the Highway 14 project from North Mankato to Nicollet. Another $8 million to $10 million is coming for a Highway 169 project to raise the highway between Mankato and St. Peter as part of flood avoidance.

Construction also is expected to start this fall or early next year on the Walmart Distribution Center that is expected to have a 16-20 month construction period.

Construction spawns a lot of other economic activity from the truckers who need to haul building materials to the out-of-town workers who sometimes stay at hotels and patronize other eating and drinking establishments.

It’s what economists call the multiplier effect. A study of condominium projects in Toronto showed that construction can have a multiplier effect of $17 to $1, meaning for every $1 invested, $17 is returned to the economy.

So while the local construction industry may be a smaller part of the overall economy, its impact can be very large.

MV

Joe Spear is executive editor of Minnesota Valley Business. Contact him at 344-6382 or [email protected]

■ local Business memos/ Company news ...............................7

■ Business and Industry trends ........9

■ Minnesota Business updates ...... 10

■ Business Commentary ................ 12

■ Agriculture Outlook ..................... 32

■ Agribusiness trends. ................... 33

■ Job trends .................................... 34

■ Construction, real estate trends . 35

■ Retail trends ................................ 36

■ Greater Mankato Growth ............. 38

■ Greater Mankato Growth Member Activities ...................... 40

■ From the editorBy Joe Spear



AMPI communicators honoredCommunicators for Associated Milk Producers (AMPI)

earned top awards from the Cooperative Communicators Association.

The team of graphic designer Nickie Sabo, communications director Sarah Schmidt and executive senior vice president Sheryl Meshke was recognized.

Sabo received the 2013 Michael Graznak Award, recognizing a communicator age 35 or under who exhibits promise as a young communicator.

Meshke is the recipient of the 2013 H.E. Klinefelter Award, CCA’s highest honor for a career cooperative communicator.

■ ■ ■

WOW ZONE! owners honoredThe Bowling Proprietors Association of Minnesota has

named Pam and Doug DeMarce, owners of the WOW! ZONE, as the 2013 BPAM Proprietors of the year. The award is presented to a proprietor who has been nominated by the state association for outstanding contributions to the industry and sport of bowling.

The couple also own Victory Bowl. In the last five years they have grown their junior bowling program, added boys and girls high school bowling, a home school bowling program, and a summer day camp for children.

■ ■ ■

Reed joins Courtyard by MarriottJill Reed is the new Corporate Sales Manager at

Courtyard by Marriott Mankato, located next to River Hills Mall.

Reed has worked in a similar position in other area hotels.

■ ■ ■

Dobie’s Repair soldThe Muffler Center and Dobie’s Repair has been

absorbed by Nick’s Car Care.Owen “Dobie” Painter had been in business since 1983.Nick Zuehlke of Nick’s Car Care has been in business for

more than two years.

■ ■ ■

CAB gets certificationCAB Manufacturing has been awarded certification as

an AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) company.

AISC’s certification programs set the quality standard for the structural steel industry and is the most recognized national quality certification program for the industry.

New shareholders at I&SI&S Group announced five new shareholders.Andy Brandel is a professional civil engineer in the

Faribault office.Bill Goldy serves as a community resource planner and

business development executive for I&S.Nick Ellenberger provides both structural design and

project management services from the La Crosse office.Tom Grafft is an environmental systems coordinator

based out of the Storm Lake, Iowa office.Joey Wendinger is an experienced project manager with

significant experience in the health care industry, hospitality industry, and large projects.

■ ■ ■

Pope passes engineering examI&S Group announced that Josh Pope passed the

Principals and Practice of Engineering Examination, thereby officially designating him a professional engineer.

He graduated from St. John’s University and the University of Minnesota and started at I&S in 2011.

■ ■ ■

Duncanson elected to corn councilMinnesota’s corn farmers elected Karl Duncanson of

Mapleton to the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council.

He is new to the council and replaces retiring council member David Ward, who farms near Mapleton.

Duncanson grows corn, soybeans and peas and raises hogs and horses.

■ ■ ■

Sowers honored by U.S. BankBryan Sowers, U.S. Bank vice president in Mankato, has

won U.S. Bank’s Pinnacle Award, the company’s highest employee achievement honor.

He was among a group of top performing employees nationwide to win the award.

This is Sower’s fourth Pinnacle award.

■ ■ ■

Sarameh passes CPA examEide Bailly announce that Yousef Sarameh has passed

the Certified Public Accounting exam.Yousef earned his degree in accounting from Minnesota

State University in 2012. He was an intern at Eide Bailly before being hired full time.

■ ■ ■

■ Local Business People/Company Newsxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



Palmer heading national wheat boardJim Palmer has been named as chief executive officer of

the National Association of Wheat Growers and the executive director of the National Wheat Foundation.

Palmer has more than 30 years of experience managing agriculture industry organizations at the state and national levels, having spent most of his career working for soybean farmers.

From 1997 until early 2012, he worked as the executive director for the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, headquartered in Mankato.

■ ■ ■

Abdo, Eick & Meyers merges Abdo, Eick & Meyers is merging with Francis & Associates

effective in November.Abdo employs more than 70 accounting professionals in

offices located in Mankato and Edina.Francis & Associates began in 1978 in Minnetonka.

■ ■ ■

Geerdes promoted at Lime ValleyLime Valley Advertising promoted

Marissa Geerdes to director of administrative services. She will oversee and direct Lime Valley’s administrative operations including accounting, human resources and client relations.

She joined the company in 2002.

■ ■ ■

Pawlitschek named to President’s Club Ben Pawlitschek, a licensed prearrangement specialist

with Laker Planning, was recently recognized by Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company as a new member of the FDLIC President’s Club.

Membership in the President’s Club is extended only to sales professionals who have achieved the highest levels of performance with the company.

■ ■ ■

AgStar has strong first quarterAgStar Financial Services reported net earnings for the

first quarter ending March 31, 2013. The company had net after-tax earnings of $24.8 million, an increase of $914,000 over last year’s first quarter performance.

■ ■ ■

Call named CFO at MRCIMRCI WorkSource has hired Jeff Call

as the Chief Financial Officer.Call will report to MRCI CEO Brian

Benshoof.The CFO provides financial leadership

over the organization, which had a $58 million budget last year.

He replaces Charles Juntunen, who retired in May.

■ ■ ■

Hart named to Harvard Institute classMarilyn Hart, a professor of biological sciences and

director of the Undergraduate Research Center at Minnesota State University, has been selected to be a member of the Harvard Institutes for Higher Education Management Development Program Class of 2013.

The two-week program is a professional education program offered by the Harvard Institutes for Higher Education through the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

The Management Development Program prepares attendees to become better leaders and more valuable contributors to broader institutional goals.

■ ■ ■

Mankato native honored in IowaMankato native, and 1994 Loyola

graduate, Catherine Fields is one of five ‘Outstanding Young North Iowans’.

Fields, of Mason City, is a small business owner.

■ ■ ■

Steichen honored at U.S. BankFrank Steichen, southwest district manager for U.S. Bank

in Mankato, has won U.S. Bank’s Pinnacle Award, the company’s highest employee achievement honor.

Steichen was among the top 10 percent of top performing employees nationwide to win U.S. Bank’s award for outstanding achievement and superior performance.

This is Steichen’s second pinnacle award.

To submit your company or employee news. e-mail to [email protected] Put “Business memo” in the subject line.

Call or e-mail Associate Editor Tim Krohnat [email protected]

or 344-6383 for questions.

xxxxxxxx

Catherine Fields

Jeff Call

Marissa Geerdes



EconomyU.S. economic trends mixed

Recent economic indicators have been mixed. The U.S. Bureau of

Economic Analysis reported that real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in the first quarter of 2013 (that is, from the fourth quarter to the first quarter).

This was well above the 0.4-percent growth in the final quarter of 2012, but below the expectations of many forecasters. Consumer spending and residential investment showed strong gains, while net exports and government expenditures showed quarterly reductions.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that new orders for manufactured durable goods fell 5.7 percent From February to March, following a 4.3-percent increase from January to February. Industrial production rose by 0.4 percent in March after having increased 1.1 percent in February according to the Federal Reserve.

GDP growth 1.8 percent There should be 1.8 percent U.S. real GDP growth in

2013, rising to 2.7 percent in 2014. Year-on-year real GDP growth begins to accelerate in 2014, eventually rising to

3.0 percent in its final quarter. Forecast real disposable income increases 0.9 percent in 2013 and 3.4 percent in 2014. Total industrial production grows at a faster rate than real GDP in 2013 and 2014, at 3.0 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively.

U.S. income and expenditures Private fixed investment growth averages 6.7 percent

and 8.2 percent over 2013 and 2014. This is driven partly by business equipment and software spending, as well as increasing expenditures on buildings. Real consumption expenditures grow faster than

Real GDP in 2013, at 2.1 percent, but slow below the rate of real GDP growth in 2014, at 2.3 percent. Export growth nearly doublesfrom2.6 percent to 5.1 percent over the same two years.

■ ■ ■

EnergyGas prices fall nationally

Falling crude oil prices contributed to a decline in the U.S. regular gasoline retail price from a year-to-date high of $3.78 per gallon on February 25 to $3.52 per gallon on April 29, according to the federal Energy Information Agency.

Regular gasoline prices should average $3.53 per gallon over the summer (April through September), which is slightly lower than previous estimates. The annual average regular gasoline retail price is projected to decline from$3.63 per gallon in 2012 to $3.50 per gallon in 2013 and to $3.39 per gallon in 2014.

Crude oil prices fall After increasing to $119 per barrel in early February, the

Brent crude oil spot price fell to a low of $97 per barrel in mid-April and then recovered to $105 per barrel on May 3.

EIA expects that the Brent crude oil spot price will average $104 per barrel over the second half of 2013 and $101 per barrel in 2014.

Natural gas inventories lowerNatural gas working inventories ended April 2013 at an

estimated 1.82 trillion cubic feet, about 0.80 Tcf below the level at the same time a year ago and 0.13 Tcf below the five-year average.

EIA expects the Henry Hub natural gas spot price, which averaged $2.75 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) in 2012, will average $3.80 per MMBtu in 2013 and $4.00 per MMBtu in 2014.

More electricity from Coal The projected increasing cost of natural gas relative to

coal contributes to higher levels of electricity generation from coal. The share of total generation fueled by coal is forecast to increase from37.4 percent in 2012 to 40.1 percent in 2013. Conversely, the share of generation fueled by natural gas declinesfrom30.4 percent in 2012 to 27.8 percent in 2013.

■ Business and Industry Trends



■ Xcel reduces carbon emissions Xcel Energy in 2012

increased energy efficiency, reduced

emissions and renewable energy according to the company’s annual Corporate Responsibility Report.

Through the combination of conservation, renewable energy and power plant improvement projects, Xcel reduced its carbon emissions by 18 percent since 2005. Carbon reduction is projected to reach 27 percent by 2020.

Xcel Energy increased its use of wind energy 20 percent, adding more than 1,000 megawatts of wind power to its system in 2012. The American Wind Energy Association ranked Xcel Energy the No. 1 wind power provider in the United States for the ninth consecutive year.

Solar energy grew on Xcel Energy’s system by about 30 percent in 2012.

Customers set a record for energy conservation for the third year in a row by taking advantage of Xcel Energy’s energy efficiency programs.

■ ADM distributing sweetener in Asia, South America

Archer Daniels Midland Co. will become the exclusive distributor of certain sweetener and lysine products manufactured by Global Bio-chem Technology, to various markets in Asia and South America under a strategic alliance agreement.

The market territory for the sweetener products will include various Southeast Asian countries, the Far East, Australia and New Zealand. Decatur-based ADM maintains several regional sales offices in that part of the world.

Global Sweeteners, which is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, has annual production capacity of 1,200,000 tonnes of upstream corn refined products and 1,360,000 tonnes of corn sweeteners. The company produces and sells corn-refined products (including corn starch, corn oil, gluten meal and fiber) and various corn sweeteners.

■ Best Buy to host Windows storesRichfield-based Best Buy

Company, Inc., announced Thursday that it has partnered with Microsoft Corporation to add small, in-store Windows shops within roughly 600 Best Buy

locations, according to Twin Cities Business.The Windows mini-stores will provide consumers with a

place to test, compare, and purchase Windows-based tablets, PCs, phones, accessories, and Xbox consoles. It will provide one-stop shopping for Windows products, rather than having them scattered throughout the store.

The alliance will also result in the addition of more than 1,200 Microsoft-trained sales associates that will be stationed in the mini stores for customer assistance.

The concept will be rolled out from late June through

September. The two companies also launched a website that they hope will mirror the in-store experience, while also highlighting store locations, promotions, and joint marketing efforts.

■ Target earnings below expectations Target Corp. posted a lower-than-

expected earnings performance for the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The company said that soft sales and weather related categories affected its results.

The company reported an income of $498 million or $0.77 per share for the

first quarter. During the same period last year, Target reported a profit of $697 million or $1.04 earnings per share.

According to the company, its adjusted earnings per share for the first quarter was $1.05, a decline of 5 percent from $1.11 in the same period in 2012.

Target said that its current results include losses related to the early retirement of debt of $0.41 per share, EPS dilution of $0.24 related to the Canadian segments, and net accounting gains of $0.36 related to the sale of the company’s entire consumer credit card receivable portfolio to TD Bank Group.

In a statement, Gregg Steinhafel, chairman, president, and CEO of the company said, “Target’s first quarter earnings were below expectations as a result of softer-than-expected sales, particularly in apparel and other seasonal and weather-sensitive categories.

■ General Growth eyes New York property

General Growth Properties has paired with Brookfield Office Propertiesto bid for an expensive New York building in what could mark the No. 2 U.S. mall owner’s entry into a new segment of the retail estate market, according to two sources familiar with the deal.

Bids for the 27-story office and retail building at 650 Madison Avenue, one of the toniest shopping and office districts in Manhattan, could exceed $1.3 billion, the sources said.

Other bidders include Vornado Realty Trust one of the sources said. The decision on the winning bid is expected next week, the source said.

Eastdil Secured is brokering the sale of the building, which is owned by private equity firm Carlyle Group. General Growth, Carlyle and Brookfield declined comment. Vornado and Eastdil did not respond to requests for comment.

General Growth’s interest in the building surprised industry executives. The company has long focused on operating malls and buying the New York building would mean a foray into what is known in the industry as urban street-level retail real estate.

Unlike malls whose popularity grew with the rise of U.S. suburbs as destinations that people typically drive to for shopping, the New York building has space for a handful of stores in a shopping and office district in the middle of the city.

■ Minnesota Business Updates


AR

CH

ITEC

TUR

E |

EN

GIN

EER

ING

|

IN

TER

IOR

S |

P

LAN

NIN

G

507.388.9811 | WWW.PAULSENARCHITECTS.COM

BOLDLY INSPIRING

The LEED® Certification Mark is a registered trademark owned by the U.S. GreenBuilding Council® and is used with permission.

The Mankato Public Safety Center recently became LEED® Goldcertified. Congratulations to the City of Mankato for embracingsustainable design.



Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders convened in January with a common

goal of “progress for Minnesotans on education, job creation and better government.” Four months later, the Legislature’s adjournment left more questions than achievements.

Why are teachers not required to pass a basic skills test before entering classrooms? Why are we raising taxes on small-business owners? Why are we expanding government with little or no attention to spending reform and redesign?

The cumulative impact of the Legislature’s votes is certain to negatively impact businesses and families alike. Minnesotans should collectively ask our elected officials: “Why?” Then impress upon them: We can do better.

The governor pledged to balance the budget by making the rich “pay their fair share” to protect the middle class. In the end, the tax/spending package delivered a double whammy. In addition to high wage-earners, the state’s 20,000 small and midsized business that pay their business taxes through their individual income tax will now pay among the highest taxes in the nation.

Why did lawmakers hike taxes on businesses to a level much higher than neighboring states, putting Minnesota companies, especially in border communities, at an extreme competitive disadvantage? The top income tax rate is now the fourth highest rate in the nation. The corporate rate is third highest, and the cigarette tax ranks sixth.

Why did the Legislature enact

business-to-business sales taxes that will impact the agricultural and manufacturing communities, among others? Sales tax will be applied to

labor costs for repairs and equipment. The telecommunications equipment sales tax will make it more expensive to supply broadband and technology that is critical for rural areas to compete and thrive. The tax on storage and warehousing could devastate this industry’s ability to compete in Minnesota and will result in sales tax on storage of agricultural inputs, too.

Why did we need to create another state agency with nearly 100 full-time employees to manage the new health insurance exchange — at a cost of $60 million that will be financed entirely by a tax on small businesses and individuals’ health

care premiums? An exchange operated by the private sector could have achieved the same goals at far lower cost.

Why did we need to raise solar energy standards and increase electricity costs for businesses and residences? Minnesota already has one of the most aggressive renewable energy mandates in the nation.

Why are Minnesota students no longer required to pass a high school graduation exam? Our kids deserve a solid foundation for lifelong success, and Minnesota employers need a skilled workforce.

The Minnesota Chamber and others recommended alternative strategies, but our ideas were ignored. Too often, the singular response to addressing the state’s challenges was to raise taxes and grow government.

Minnesota cannot afford to return to tax/spend strategies that threaten

our economic success. The latest unemployment figures show the state’s job growth now lags behind the national rate.

As neighboring states are erecting billboards on our borders welcoming business and jobs, what message is Minnesota sending?

It’s time to ask our elected officials: Why? Then tell them: We can do better. MV

David Olson is president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Dayton, lawmakers should have done better for businesses

■ Business CommentaryBy David olson

507-625-4606121 E. Main St. Ste 311

Mankato, MN 56001

“As neighboring states are erecting billboards on our

borders welcoming business and jobs, what message is

Minnesota sending?”



507-625-4606121 E. Main St. Ste 311

Mankato, MN 56001

St. James - 507.375.5464 • Mankato - 507.345.6653 • www.Wilcon-Construction.com

052965436201EEO/AA

PATIO HOMES WITH LUXURY.


Thursday, September 51:00 p.m.

New Ulm Event Center

2013Agricultural

LendingConference


Building boom

Home, commercial construction finally taking off

By Tim Krohn | Photos by John Cross and Pat Christman

Tony Frentz at a custom home his firm is building on Lake Washington.



This spring has seen the start of one of the busiest construction seasons in recent memory with large housing complexes leading the way and a healthy

amount of commercial and new home construction.

“Things really took off this year. There’s a lot of work and a lot of bids out there,” said Scott Umhofer, president of RW Carlstrom Construction.

“Across the board, municipalities, churches, schools, medical, industrial. All of it.

They all slowed down a few years ago, but medical kept us busy. We do quite a bit at Kraft Foods in New Ulm and they kept us busy for a long time,” Umhofer said.

Dave Gosewich of Gosewich Construction said they, too, have seen a nice comeback in commercial building.

“It’s been slow the last couple of years, but there is an uptick now. We have a little bit of a backlog,” said Gosewich, whose firm does commercial construction.

Contractors say the home-construction sector is likewise doing well, including the long-stagnant upper-end home building.

“Things are really picking up in the higher-end residential, the $400,000 and over,” said Rich Weyhe, of R. Henry Construction in Mankato. “We can’t hire enough help right now.”

Tony Frentz of Frentz Construction also has seen a bounce back.

“You can definitely see in the home market that things have improved. There was a lot of pent up demand and the interest rates are staying low,”

Two major projects beginningTwo of the most anticipated projects are a major office

and residential development in downtown Mankato and the development of a large tract of land behind Madison East Center.

Tailwind Group is kicking off a $16 million transformation of South Front Street, building a seven-story glass office tower on the corner of Riverfront Drive and Warren Street as well as a five-story apartment and commercial building on South Front. For the latter building, Red Sky Lounge and Miller Motors will be razed with the businesses relocating.

City and state grants will finance a $5 million parking ramp in the same block.

The Kearney family project behind Madison East will begin with 172 high-end apartments on part of the 35-acre parcel.

The project will finally bring a permanent connection of Adams Street behind Madison East with construction of the link under way.

The project is expected to attract more apartments as well as offices, restaurants and other businesses.

The property — owned by the Kearney grandchildren — was purchased in the 1950s by Dr. Wynn Kearney Sr. At the time, the land was part of a 160-acre farm far outside the city of Mankato.

Custom home building backWhen new home building all but disappeared after the

start of the recession, builders had to rely on other types of work.

“When the new construction slowed down, the remodeling picked up, so that helped,” Weyhe said.

“We were building craftsman architecture when we started and that wasn’t really being done here. People got to know us and we got into remodeling and some commercial, so when the housing went south, we were diversified enough that we weren’t hurt too bad.”

Weyhe started R. Henry in 2003 and was doing subcontracting work with Pride Builders, owned by Tim Paulsen and Troy Bramer. They eventually merged under the R. Henry name.

While construction is coming back, one problem faces people seeking financing for new home construction – getting appraisals.

Before giving a loan, banks find “comparable” properties to see what their value is and determine whether the size of the loan they approve is justified.

“People were having some trouble because they have to find comparable homes and there wasn’t any building in the last few years, so there weren’t any comps to look at,” Frentz said.

“The banks are looking for recently built houses that were sold or they at least look at what it cost to build them. There just weren’t many of those to look at,” he said.

And Weyhe said that if banks looked at similar homes sold in the past few years to use as a comparison for proposed new construction, another problem arose.

“The values on homes were hit because foreclosures were selling for less. It’s a little tougher to get appraisals they can use to justify new building,” Weyhe said.

Cover Story

“Things are really picking up in the

higher-end residential, the $400,000 and over. We can’t hire enough

help right now.”

Rich Weyhe, R. Henry Construction



Still, those building spec homes and custom-designed homes are again busy and in some cases finding it more difficult to find suitable building lots or to open new subdivisions for construction.

“Land is an issue for new construction,” Weyhe said. “It’s difficult to develop land at a price point that works. There’s fewer and fewer decent lots around. I think that’s a trend that’s going to take a while to resolve itself.”

He said developers have to be careful about buying a tract of bare land, lot it off and put in roads and utilities.

“The infrastructure costs are high and the lot prices have to justify a price point,” Weyhe said. He has been building homes on his subdivision between Middle Lake Jefferson and Big Lake Jefferson.

While there are some new challenges for builders and would-be homeowners, one thing that hasn’t changed is what customers are most interested in when designing their homes.

“The kitchen is by far the No. 1 thing,” Frentz said. “If anything, people hang out in the kitchen even more. I see a lot more people doing the living room/sitting room right

in with the kitchen. It’s very open, so some people can be in the kitchen and others can be sitting nearby,” Frentz said.

The dining areas are also more casual, the builders say. More people ditch the formal dining room in favor of large islands in the kitchen that double as work surface and dining table.

One thing has changed post-recession.

“People are building a little smaller houses but better quality. Rather than a 6,000-square-foot home it’s a 4,500-square-foot home and making it nicer. You only need so much space for a family. Ten years ago they were building really big houses,” Frentz said.

The new Mankato Public Safety center is one of many big projects RW Carlstrom has handled in recent years. From left: Danny Umhofer, Scott Umhofer, Jeremy Hatlevig and Dan Gjerde.

“People are building a little smaller houses but better quality. You only need so

much space for a family. Ten years ago they were building

really big houses.”Tony Frentz,

Frentz Construction .



Commercial construction strongGosewich started building homes in 1977 but soon went

fully into commercial/industrial development. His wife, son and daughter all work with him and the company generally works in a 50-mile radius of Mankato.

He said that during the recession some sectors, such as the medical industry, helped keep them busier. Now many areas have bounced back.

“Medical is good and new churches have been good. We’re doing some renovations at Gustavus this summer and we’re doing the Peter Pan day care in North Mankato. We’re just finishing up a big expansion out at Pioneer,” Gosewich said.

“There’s a little work in industrial but not a ton.”

Gosewich said his job is far more than constructing a building. “We try to work with clients very early on. With Peter Pan we’ve been working with them for two years on different plans and different locations,” he said. “People appreciate it. A lot of time people will come back with another project later.”

With 40 employees, the 68-year-old RW Construction is one of the largest and oldest firms around. Started in 1945 by Robert W. Carlstrom, it was purchased by his sons,

John and Lee, in the 1970s.In 2004 it was sold to John’s son

Eian and to Umhofer. Last year Umhofer bought Eian’s share of the business. Now, Umhofer’s partner, Jeremy Hatlevig, is starting to buy into the company.

Some of the company’s projects include Heintz Auto, Blue Earth-Nicollet County Humane Society, St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mankato Public Safety Center, St. Peter Community Center, Mayo cardiology center and oncology center and all of the recent buildings at Bethany Lutheran College.

“Right now we’re doing the new VINE building and the Open Door Clinic expansion. They’re both really nice projects for the community, very worthy causes with really dedicated people,” Umhofer said.

“It’s really nice to see business so active, it’s been a long time coming.”

After a dry spell in custom home demand, R. Henry Construction is again busy building custom homes like this one. From left: Tim Paulsen, Rich Weyhe, Rob Paulsen and Troy Bramer.

“It’s been slow the

last couple of years,

but there is an uptick

now. We have a little

bit of a backlog.”

Dave Gosewich,



MV

Umhofer said the sudden surge in business has left many contractors scrambling to find subcontractors. “It’s been hard getting bids because there’s so much going on now and I think a lot of construction companies cut back and now they can’t keep up.”

Umhofer said the biggest changes he’s seen during his career is the advances in building materials and techniques.

“There’s just a lot more technology going into buildings today. The green projects where everything is more energy efficient and using recyclable materials.”

Gosewich said that while they’re still seeing brick-and-mortar construction, many are now using pre-cast concrete and metal.

“We’re seeing more where the whole structure is pre-engineered, pre-manufactured. They do all the siding and roofing and pre-cut everything. We kind of bolt it together on site, but it takes some expertise to do it,” Gosewich said.

“With the green building, it seems like we saw more of a push for it a couple of years ago and aren’t seeing it quite as much now. Especially for smaller businesses, sometimes it isn’t as cost-effective up front for them. They want more bang for their buck.” MV

Dave Gosewich of Gosewich Construction at the site of the new Peter Pan Preschool and Childcare center in North Mankato.

We always put you FIRST!

Experienced Lenders p r o v i d i n g c u s t o m i z e d s e r v i c e f o r y o u r b u s i n e s s !

Equal HousingLENDER

Member FDIC

Visit us online at www.fnbmn.comMankato

507.625.1121St. Peter

507.931.4000Gaylord

507.237.5521

“There’s just a lot more technology going into buildings today. The green projects where

everything is more energy efficient and using

recyclable materials.”

Scott Umhofer, RW Carlstrom Construction



We always put you FIRST!

Experienced Lenders p r o v i d i n g c u s t o m i z e d s e r v i c e f o r y o u r b u s i n e s s !

Equal HousingLENDER

Member FDIC

Visit us online at www.fnbmn.comMankato

507.625.1121St. Peter

507.931.4000Gaylord

507.237.5521

AUTOMOTIVE

Jerry’s Body Shop, Inc.1671 Madison Avenue Mankato, MN 56001507-388-4895 www.asashop.org/member/jerrys

MEDIA

The Free Press Media418 S 2nd StreetMankato, MN 56001507-625-4451www.mankatofreepress.com

Professional resources to help grow your business

For information on including your service to this directory,

please contact 507-344-6390



Bringing India to Mankato

Experienced restaurateurs open Taj Mahal

Tony Bassi, the 35-year-old manager of Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine, started his restaurant career after high school when he went to work for his father

who owned two Indian restaurants near the University of California, Davis, called Raja’s Indian Cuisine.

Sunny Bassi, his younger brother, also worked with their father and followed in his footsteps. Sunny and his best friend, Jason Singh, the head chef at Taj Mahal, secured the capital to open an Indian restaurant in Greater Mankato. They chose the Mankato market, because there were no Indian restaurants here.

For three years, the Bassis and Singh looked for a locale, before they moved into the space that once housed Plaza Garibaldi in North Mankato. Now Taj Mahal is the only place in town serving basmati rice, naan, tandoori, fragrant lamb, shrimp, chicken, beef and vegetable curries, as well as other traditional sauces.

“When we open, finally we can open our dream. People are really nice. They say ‘Congratulations. We’re glad you’re here,’” said Sunny.

The Mexican décor was easily transformed into an Indian restaurant. Arches painted in warm tones give the space an Eastern vibe while

pastoral Indian paintings and sitar music complete the scene.

In the kitchen, they installed a clay oven, also known as a tandoor. That’s why the marinated, skewered and roasted meats are called tandoori.

“We have lots of customers trying Indian food for the first time,” said Tony. “They can try from any taste, from mild, to medium, to hot.”

Since opening in September 2012, the chicken tikka masala made of tandoor-roasted chicken cubes in spices and a creamy sauce has become the most popular dish.

Tony Bassi manages Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine in Upper North Mankato.

Profile

By Marie Wood | Photos by John Cross



The buffet is a popular way for people to be introduced to Indian cuisine

Another favorite is the Taj Mix Grill – a platter of assorted tandoori meats and kebabs.

Krissy Latefi of Mankato has become a regular customer, who likes being able to customize her order to her taste. The chicken tikka masala is “YUM” and a big hit with the whole family, said Latefi.

“What a great dining addition to our growing Mankato community. The food is delicious, the service is warm and friendly...The lunch buffet is a fabulous intro to try many of the different Indian dishes at a very reasonable price,” said Latefi.

Priced at $9.99, people discover and sample a variety of Indian foods at the daily lunch buffet, which includes a soft drink. Meanwhile locals of Indian descent are enjoying a restaurant that serves authentic dishes.

“Since we opened, I’ve met four to five professors from India and doctors at the main hospitals,” said Tony. “They love it. They tried it from all over.”

From India to here

The Bassis and Singh, are from the Punjab region of India. The 21-year-old Singh came to the United States in 2006. Since then, he has lived and cooked in New York, Texas and California. Singh learned to cook in India and created his own recipes for Taj Mahal.

“I love cooking,” said Singh.The Bassis sold their Indian restaurants in California

and moved to Burnsville, where the family owned and operated a BP station and store. Sunny and Singh also worked at Indian restaurants in the southern metro.

Tony, who lives in Burnsville with his wife and two children, is buying a home and moving his family to Mankato. Currently, they rent a place here for themselves and employees. Their younger brother, Banny Bassi, works at Taj Mahal too. There are about 10 employees in all.

An experienced restaurateur, Tony owned and operated two Mountain Mike’s Pizza franchises in California. When Sunny and Singh decided to open a restaurant, naturally they offered Tony the manager position. Tony enforces three rules: quality, cleanliness and customer service.

“The food business is always successful if you know about food quality. These days people like to see quality, prices and good food,” said Tony.

While Tony manages the front of the restaurant including the bar, beverages and servers, Singh, with Sunny as his right-hand man, runs the kitchen. Singh orders the groceries, many through Sysco, while Tony adds supplies and other items. Indian spices and tea come from a distributor in California.

Introducing Indian cuisine

When Taj Mahal participated in the International Festival at MSU they brought chicken tikka masala, channa masala which is garbanzo beans in a curry sauce, basmati rice and the Indian flat bread called naan. A young boy tried it, loved it and brought his family here, said Tony.

“The customer is great. Every time, they bring more people with them,” said Tony. “The customer response has been great.”

Lamb masala and vegetarian dishes such as the palak paneer which is fresh spinach cooked with homemade cheese are often tried on subsequent visits.

Taj Mahal offers a full bar and beverages that include Indian beer and homemade masala tea. They also make lassi, a yogurt and water drink that originated in the Punjab region. The house specialty is mango lassi, made with fresh mangos.

Tony and his staff are happy to explain the nuances of Indian cuisine from dipping sauces to desserts. Your meal should include naan, the Indian flat bread cooked in the clay oven. Since 70 to 80 percent of the curries contain no flour, many of the dishes are gluten-free.

Taj Mahal recently catered an event for 115 guests and take out is going strong too. Since locals are loving Indian cuisine, they plan to open another Mankato location.

“We’re going to go for another one next year,” said Tony. “We have great food, great quality, come down, try it.” MV

Head chef Jason Singh has cooked at several restaurants around the country.



MV

■ Special Focus: Make your Business more Sustainable

Environmental SustainabilityWhen you take action to

reduce the environmental footprint of your organization, you are practicing environmental sustainability. The basic practice of reduce, reuse and recycle can help companies save money and protect the environment.

“The biggest barrier to waste reduction and recycling in small to mid-size businesses is that they’re just really busy. They

need a helping hand to get started and on track,” said Jill Curran, executive director for Minnesota Waste Wise.

Minnesota Waste Wise helps businesses find ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. Members pay an annual fee structured to meet the service needs of the business. Services include environmental assessments, sustainability consulting and employee education.

The first step is an on-site visit to assess your waste hauling and the volume, weight and materials in your waste. Next Waste Wise experts identify opportunities to reuse and recycle and find recyclers for different materials, especially uncommon materials.

Most local businesses are already recycling paper, cardboard, cans and plastic bottles. To take the next step, Minnesota Waste Wise can open the conversation with counties, cities, and waste haulers to make more services available.

Sometimes Minnesota Waste Wise helps companies change their processes to generate less of materials that are being wasted or recycled.

Since employee buy-in is critical to success, Waste Wise offers employee trainings and workshops.

“You can start a great recycling program or organize a collection, but if employees are not putting it in the right bin, it’s not going to work,” said Curran.

Minnesota Waste Wise is a membership organization that helps businesses save money by reducing waste, conserving resources and improving energy efficiency. Learn more at www.mnwastewise.org. Call 651-292-4650.

Full Circle OrganicsThe next wave of recycling is organics. Full Circle

Organics, now open in Good Thunder, accepts organics including all food waste, coffee filters, food-soiled paper products, yard clippings and more. The organics are diverted from the landfill to become compost and return to the soil.

“Organics as a whole are an asset, not a waste. We reuse

By Marie Wood | Photos by John Cross

Jill Curran

Learn How to Protect the Environment and Save Money

the material to make a beneficial product,” said Max Milinkovich, CEO of Full Circle Organics.

Full Circle offers 64-gallon carts to r e s t a u r a n t s , caterers and other businesses who want to recycle organics. Fill it up and Full Circle will haul it away. Fees based on gallons and pick-ups per week. Waste audits and employee training is provided for companies looking to start a c o m p o s t i n g program.

To learn more, visit www.fullcircle-organics.com or email info@fullcircle -organics.com.

Green Tech Recycling

Kash Kahn, who founded Green Tech Recycling in Mankato tracks the worldwide recycling market. He accepts electronics, appliances, computers, printers, phones, TVs, fluorescent bulbs, cables, tires, video cassettes and more from businesses across the region.

“You’re going to save money by recycling. If you put it in the trash, it will cost you,” said Kahn.

Electronics start at 25 cents a pound, but schools only pay 15 cents a pound and businesses can qualify for a lower rate. Kahn pays for items such as lead-acid batteries and wires. For most pick-ups, Kahn doesn’t charge transportation fees.

Green Tech Recycling is at 205 W. Spring Street, Mankato, 344-1315 or email [email protected]. MV

Max Milinkovich (left) David Fitzsimmons (center) and Kevin Fitzimmons unload material at Full Circle Organics.

Max Milinkovich checks on compost piles at Full Circle Organics near Good Thunder.



■ Special Focus: Make your Business more SustainableResources to help businesses be sustainable

Jean Lundquist, recycling coordinator for Blue Earth County, can connect you to companies that can reuse and recycle the materials that pile up in daily operations.

“You have to look in unexpected places to find resources,” said Lundquist. “Sometimes you have to look at things a little unconventionally.”

Lundquist offers these tips to reduce, reuse and recycle. VOCs: Volatile Organic Compounds are found in many products

including paint, building materials, automotive products, cleaning agents and glues. Since these items need to be disposed of properly, many companies are using alternative products that do not contain VOCs.

Shrink wrap: Companies receive supplies and parts wrapped in shrink wrap. The material holds memory, air and takes up space. MRCI Work Source can help you recycle your shrink wrap.

Packing peanuts: These packing peanuts cannot be recycled, but they can be reused and are in high demand by people who sell on eBay.

“Recycling is terrific. Reducing waste in the first place is the best,” said Lundquist.

For local recycling sources and information, call 304-4440. MV

Lindsay Window & Door hones in on reducing waste

Lindsay Window & Door is a green company that manufactures EnergyStar rated windows that conserve energy, last a lifetime and help protect the

environment.Environmental stewardship is also reflected in the

Lindsay plant and headquarters in North Mankato. For the last 7 years, Lindsay has made an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle so that today 99.9 percent of inbound material is used in a product or recycled.

“For every single material that comes into our facility, if it’s not used to make a window, we look at where it can be recycled,” said Geoff Roise, co-owner of Lindsay Window.

The company’s current goal is to reduce waste by a third – from three to two yards weekly.

“Now people are really looking at it as it’s too expensive to throw things away. That philosophy has grown over the last five years,” said Roise.

Here are some tips from Roise on how to do right by the environment.

Reusable packagingRoise is working with vendors to use more reusable

packaging. One vendor is using plastic crates which are shipped back to the vendor. Other vendors are looking into reusable cardboard.

“The real question is how to eliminate using cardboard or reducing the use of cardboard,” said Roise. “It’s becoming a higher priority in the industry.”

Find local suppliersWhen possible, Lindsay Window uses regional vendors

and U.S. made products over products made overseas. This decreases transportation and fuel consumption.

“What we’re trying to do is to stimulate the local economy that are close to where we’re replacing windows,” said Roise. “We look for things that are made here and impact the U.S. Economy.”

Employee buy-in

Employees learn about recycling in orientation and attend monthly meetings that address recycling. Every month Lindsay uses the money it saves by reducing waste and meeting recycling goals to buy the employees lunch.

“If you get people bought in to the process, they’ll come up with ideas on their own,” said Roise.

Set Goals

Set a goal every quarter to identify one thing you can do differently. Focus on one thing, knock it off and then tackle another, said Roise.

Join Minnesota Waste Wise

Minnesota Waste Wise identified material that could be recycled, as well as recyclers. In one case, experts found a recycler that would pay for materials that Lindsay Window was paying to recycle. MV

By Marie Wood

By Marie Wood

Jean Lundquist



Arnie and Eileen Wadekamper have operated Arnie’s Sales & Service since the early 1960s.

In every season but autumn, the first phone call of the day usually comes around 7:30 in the morning, the last one around ten at

night. At 77, Arnie and Eileen Wadekamper are both still putting in 50 hours a week or more. It appears work is good for the soul.

••••

This might be the only Snapper mower dealer anywhere that’s run out of a home garage. But anyone who needs a new Snapper

riding mower or a refurbished standard push model can call the same number you could call back in 1961. Well,

you do have to add three digits, of course, put a “387” in front of the original “2158.” Gotta accommodate changing times. The Wadekampers signed on with Snapper right

Spotlight

By Pete SteinerPhotos by John Cross

Arnie’s Sales and ServiceOf Snappers and Snowplows and Nectar of the Gods:

“We’ve tried everything that’s legal!” arnie Wadekamper



from the start. And their garage-sized inventory is a bit deceiving. “We’re a lot bigger than you realize,” says Eileen. They rent warehouse space to store more machines, and at one time, they sold up to 80 Snapper units a year.

••••

After working a couple of hourly jobs, Arnie signed on more than five decades ago at Hannaman’s Garage, near the legendary Hilltop Tavern (now Guenther’s). Renting a stall from Jack Hannaman, he began selling and repairing Snapper mowers. But winter was tough on the mower business, so he opened his own gas station, eventually settling in the mid-60’s with a Gulf oil station on Madison Avenue hill where Kober’s nursery is now. The business soon expanded with a new, adjacent showroom that sold snowmobiles, duckboats and travel trailers.

In the heavy snow winter of 1965, Arnie had an idea of what to do with three rusty old pickups he had: he and wife Eileen opened one of Mankato’s first commercial snow-plowing businesses.

The retail gas business was changing, and by 1976, the Wadekampers were out, making their hilltop home the headquarters of a family business. With the kitchen table doubling as boardroom, they added more plow trucks to deal with the severe winters in the ‘70’s. At their peak, with Eileen fielding service calls from the kitchen, Arnie was running nine trucks. Even today, with just four trucks, plowing is the core of their enterprise.

••••

If Arnie Wadekamper had his way, he’d still be cutting and selling firewood by the cord. But last year, he sold off that business. He’s also given up trapping. Eventually in life, you make a few concessions. But one gets the feeling this is the kind of resourceful person who settled the American frontier: “I could always dig enough money out of the woods so we wouldn’t lose the house.” Eileen says that mantra, that the Earth will provide, has been passed down to their children and grandchildren.

••••

As she has for 50 years, Eileen keeps the books, does the marketing, and takes the phone calls. Arnie grins: “I’ve always liked having a LIVE person on the phone!” Eileen: “I think of myself as a salesperson. I really like marketing.” She’s a bit less enthusiastic about the bookkeeping: “Paying social security on the part-timers gets complicated.” Even with their reduced snowplow inventory, they employ

six snowplowers and shovellers in the winter, while two workers assist with mowing and maintenance in the summer. Most importantly, Eileen’s duties during their 57 years of marriage allowed her to be home while their three children were growing up.

••••

If plowing and mowing provide the bread and butter for the family business, it’s maple syruping that supplies the passion. Arnie learned the process from his family as a youngster on the farm near Faribault. In fact, the tradition goes back four generations. When Arnie met Eileen, as she puts it, “I married into it.” That means she gets to wash about 600 Mason jars every year and call eager longtime clients when the syrup is finally ready in the spring. The season can start in February and run well into May.

During that time, Arnie and Eileen don’t see a lot of each other. He spends a huge amount of time out at “Arnie’s Syrup Shack,” near a wooded area about two miles east of Mankato. A friend there owns acreage with maple trees, and another acquaintance lets him tap about 200 trees near Lake Jefferson. Arnie makes the syrup “the

old-fashioned way.” The sap is hauled to the shack in old ten-gallon milk cans. One ten-gallon can will produce just one quart of syrup. About 400 gallons of sap at a time are poured directly into large pans to be boiled over a wood fire for two days and two nights. Stationed nearby for much of that process, Arnie uses the time to ready more firewood for his three stoves as well as to conduct business via phone. The boiled-down syrup is then run thru filters before it is canned.

The mostly snowless winter of 2011-12 was painfully slow for both the plowing business and for maple syruping. With no snow, the frost didn’t come out in time to let the

sap run. This year, though, brought a double whammy, as late snows came just as the trees were starting to run. Arnie had to scramble between the syrup shack and keeping his plow trucks running from March through April. Not a lot of time for sleep. The discipline for that probably comes from all the way back when Arnie was a high school state wrestling champ at 133 pounds. Didn’t the Wall Street Journal run an article that advised that the regimen required of wrestlers makes them the best hire of any athlete?

••••

Anyone who runs their own business knows it can get precarious. Arnie recalls one point in the late ‘70’s when

“We’ve tried everything that’s legal!”

Arnie Wadekamper



Maple syruping is an intensive process with sweet rewards

xxxxxxxx



they had to borrow money at 20 percent to keep the business going: “I trusted everybody back then. Some were having tough luck [and couldn’t pay.]” One time he went to collect and ended up taking food from his own freezer to help the struggling family.

••••

Elaine says, if syruping paid all the bills, “That’s all he’d do.” Arnie confirms his love of the labor-intensive process: “I can make this product that people enjoy, with my own hands.” The syrup gets darker as the season progresses, and the flavor changes subtly. Arnie gets up from the table and grabs a glass container from the refrigerator. “This is a special ‘fancy’ tapping we did one February.” The color is pale, almost like safflower oil. He pours a tablespoon for the visitor. It is smooth, rich, heavenly sweet, reflecting high sugar content.

The Wadekampers always sell out all of their syrup, mostly to friends and friends of friends. With such high demand, Eileen says, “I try to be fair.” Some years that

means two pints, sometimes four, or as in 2012, perhaps none. In a good year, Arnie says he can do 80 gallons. This year he produced 50. At around ten dollars a pint, you do the math.

••••

The interviewer makes his way out, past a couple of customers looking at a riding mower, past the bench against the garage wall that holds umpteen old cigar boxes filled with nuts and bolts and washers and sundry other parts the repairman might need. The interviewer smiles, not only at the fact that 90 minutes has flown by, but because he’s also joined the select company that gets to buy a couple pints. His wife will be pleased. MV

About 600 Mason jars are filled with sweet maple syrup every year.


28 • July 2013 • MN Valley Business

Connie and Chad Hoffman are the mother-son duo behind Broad Street Brick & Patio, which Connie founded in 1989.

Paving the waySon joins brick and patio business started by momBy Marie WoodPhotos by Pat Christman

MNVB July p02 .indd 28 6/18/2013 4:23:51 PM

MN Valley Business • July 2013 • 29

Connie and Chad Hoffman are the mother-son duo behind Broad Street Brick & Patio, the little landscape center that could. Connie founded the

business in 1989 to supply pavers and landscaping rock.

Today, this Mankato company

designs and installs outdoor living spaces, retaining walls, driveways, patios, outdoor fireplaces and water features. They created the duck pond at Sibley Park and assisted in the Veterans Memorial Place and One Bright Star Memorial.

Raised on a farm in Wells, Connie has been driving a

tractor since the 4th grade. She loves being outside and can drive a skid loader, stick shifts and all the equipment on the lot. Connie also does the bids, landscaping design and bookkeeping. She has attended many seminars on how to install landscape materials.

Retail has decreased, but they still provide high-quality supplies for delivery or pick-up. Men are impressed when they ask “Who’s going to load me?” and Connie replies “Uh, me.”

Part of the family business since he was a teen, Chad earned a degree in law enforcement from MSU, Mankato, and works part-time as a police officer for Mankato and Lake Crystal. Chad also leads their other businesses: Sign Solutions and a property management company.

MVB: Why did you open Broad Street Brick and Patio?Connie: The idea was to do this to pay for Chad’s college. At that time there was nothing else in Mankato that was doing landscape. We started as a retail center and we’ve evolved into the install.Chad: From the beginning, I would help out. When I started driving, I started doing this full-time in the summer. I would do delivery and a little bit of the installs. I helped customers load product into vehicles, shovel rock, that type of thing. MVB: How has your company grown?Connie: When we started, I had a car of no value to the business. Part of the growth was a pick-up. We rented equipment and now we own our equipment.Chad: It was just us two working throughout the summer. Now two work crews are working depending on what we

need.

MVB: What makes up the majority of your business?Chad: Now we do 90 percent or more of installs. That’s the direction we want to focus on. Our main focus is in install.

MVB: How has landscaping changed since 1989?Chad: Back then it was a small 10 by 10 patio and a little rock around the house. We were the first landscaping company in Mankato so we had a niche. Today it’s outdoor fireplaces, kitchens, extravagant backyards, water features, you name it. We still do the 10 by 10 patios too. MVB: What are the latest trends in landscaping today?Connie: We’ve done a number of raised patios and steps. Pillars have become popular as an accent. Fireplaces and seats in walls. Fire pits are something we can do, but there are rules about how far they can be from a house.

MVB: What are your roles in the business?Connie: My role is from Day 1, I’ve done it all. I’ve learned to farm out stuff. I do bills and bids. I go out to the customer and look at the backyard and then send a proposal. I meet with people here. Once the bid is given and they accept, I give it to the crew and they install. With retail, if they’re going to do it themselves, I encourage them to bring in pictures so we can see what’s going on.Chad: I do more of the day-to-day operations. We have other businesses too. When needed, I go out and become a landscaper and do work with the guys.Connie: He’s also the counselor and adviser when I have a project that requires assistance. For example, he’s educated me on fences.

MVB: What is the biggest reward in your jobs?Chad: Back when I was younger, I did a lot of art. When we go to a house and construct something, we get to do something different every day. That kind of stuff is rewarding. Sometimes I’ll do the drawings for customers or to get building permits. I get to use my old art skills with paper, pencil and ruler.Connie: My biggest reward is helping people, to see an improvement. There are a lot of people who think they can do this, but it’s very labor intensive. Sometimes the do-it-

All In The Family



yourselfers will come in for help because the project is taking them all summer. We can do it so fast, a couple days, with a crew. MVB: Connie, what guides you in landscape design?Connie: I like to problem solve. One of my questions to people is how are you going to use this. That will determine your size. My idea is to make it useful, functional. MVB: Connie, what’s it like to work with your son?Connie: It’s nice to be able to work with your son. His brain and my brain work the same way. We have the same thought pattern. We do our own thing. I’m asking for his input. I’m more fortunate than other mothers in that I can work with my son. We do not have too many disagreements ... It’s been a good time.

MVB: Chad, what’s it like to work with your mom?Chad: There are always stressors here and there in any business or family relationship. She does a lot behind the

scenes that I don’t know or want to do. I appreciate that she does bids most of the time. She knows the customers. I love the creative vision and the hands-on.Connie: When we do the lawn and garden show at the Verizon Wireless Center, the rule is he designs and sets it up and I present myself there all weekend – Friday, Saturday and Sunday. MVB: Since you run several businesses, do your employees work in more than one business?Chad: Our crews do landscape, signs, maintenance, and fixing up properties. Our people that work for us are jacks of all trades.Connie: We don’t want to lose key people in the winter. We want to keep them employed year-round.Chad: Everyone that has worked with us has been a long-time employee. It’s nice to have people that are dedicated and we hope we can take care of them too. MV


Mankato Clinic Urgent Care @

Adams Street is your provider of

Occupational Medicine Services.

Our staff will collaborate with you to

help manage risk factors, keep your

employees healthy and happy and

get them back to work quickly and

safely after an injury.

No appointment is necessary for

most examinations. Just walk in for

prompt, professional service.

For additional information call507-385-4075 or visit www.mankatoclinic.com

Urgent Care Hours of Operation:Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

keep themhealthy and happy.

occupationalmedicineservices



After nearly two years of discussions and debate, a new Farm Bill appears a bit closer

to being enacted into law. The U.S. Senate has passed their version of a new Farm Bill in mid-June, and the U.S. House of Representatives is currently working on a new Farm Bill that was passed by the U.S. House Agriculture Committee a couple of months ago. In 2012, the U.S. Senate passed legislation for a new Farm Bill, as did the U.S. House Agriculture Committee; however, the legislation was never brought before the entire U.S. House for consideration. As a result, the previous 2008 Farm Bill, which expired in 2012, was extended for one more year through September 30, 2013. This time around, there appears to be considerable similarities in many of the provisions contained in the new Farm Bill legislation.

When most people hear of a “Farm Bill”, they think of the commodity programs and payments that affect crop producers. Some people may be aware that crop insurance and conservation programs are included under the Farm Bill, and some are knowledgeable that food stamps are part of the Farm Bill legislation. However, very few people outside of government officials and policy experts are aware that the Farm Bill also covers funding for rural fire trucks and ambulances, export promotion, international food aid, forestry programs, ag research at land-grant universities, and school lunch programs in public schools.

The current proposals for a new Farm Bill being considered in Congress are expected to cost $94-$96 billion per year for the next ten years.

About 80 percent of the proposed funding for the new Farm Bill will go to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which includes the food stamp program, the women, infants, and children (WIC) program, and the school lunch program. The needs in the

SNAP program have more than doubled since 2008, due to the economic downturn in the U.S., higher food costs, and an easing in eligibility requirements for food stamps. The new Farm Bill passed by the Senate would cut the spending on SNAP programs by about $400 million per year (0.5 percent), while the House proposal would cut SNAP funding by about $2 billion per year (3.0 percent).

About 15 percent of the funding in the new Farm Bill is designated for farm commodity programs and crop insurance programs. Current Farm Bill proposals in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House would eliminate the direct payments that most crop producers have received each year since the late 1990’s, which will save about $5 billion per year in federal spending. The direct payments, as well as the current Average Crop Revenue (ACRE) and permanent disaster (SURE) programs, will be replaced by a new crop risk management program. Farm operators will continue to have payment limits for these payments, and will likely have maximum adjusted gross income (AGI) levels to maintain payment eligibility.

The federal crop insurance program will largely remain intact with the new Farm Bill. Many crop producers rely on revenue-protection crop insurance as the primary risk management tool for the large investment that they have in crop production each year. The importance of crop insurance has been quite evident in the past two years, with the severe drought in many parts of the U.S. in 2012, and the late and prevented corn and soybean planting in parts of Southern Minnesota and Iowa in 2013.

Crop insurance programs have come under some criticism in recent months, due to the large federal cost for the program and some eligibility requirements. The federal government subsidizes about 62 percent of the annual cost of crop insurance premiums to producers,

with the farm operator paying the balance. The government also subsidizes large crop insurance losses, such as with the 2012 drought. Some would like to see the crop insurance subsidy reduced or eliminated.

One part of the federal subsidization of crop insurance that is rarely discussed is the fact that in years when the money received on premiums exceeds the insurance indemnity payments in a given crop year, the extra money goes back into the federal treasury. For many Midwestern crop producers, the 2012 drought was the first time that they have received a significant crop insurance payment in decades. Elimination of the federal crop insurance premium subsidy could make crop insurance quite expensive for some producers, which could add considerable financial risk to their farm operations.

With approximately 80 percent of proposed Farm Bill funding going to the SNAP programs, and about 15 percent of the funding going to crop insurance and commodity programs, that leaves only about 5 percent of the spending for all the other USDA programs included in the Farm Bill.

As can be seen, passage of a new Farm Bill is very complex, with programs ranging from farm commodities, to food and nutrition, to conservation and forestry programs, and many more. Many times finalizing a Farm Bill in Congress can be quite controversial, and not necessarily by political party lines. MV

Kent Thiesse is farm management analyst and vice president, MinnStar Bank, Lake Crystal. 507- 381-7960; [email protected]

Understanding the new Farm Bill

■ Agricultural OutlookBy Kent Thiesse

s

s



60

70

80

90

100

110

DNOSAJJMAMFJ 14

16

18

20

22

24

DNOSAJJMAMFJ

0

2

4

6

8

DNOSAJJMAMFJ 0

4

8

12

16

20

DNOSAJJMAMFJ

Agriculture/Agribusiness

Corn and soybean prices are for rail delivery points in Southern Minnesota. Milk prices are for Upper Midwest points. C. Sankey

Corn prices — southern Minnesota

Source: USDA

(dollars per bushel)— 2012 — 2013

Iowa-Minnesota hog prices

Source: USDA

185 pound carcass, negotiated price, weighted average— 2012 — 2013

Milk prices

Source: USDA. Based on federal milk orders.

Minimum prices, class 1 milkDollars per hundredweight

— 2012 — 2013

Soybean prices — southern Minnesota

Source: USDA

(dollars per bushel)— 2012 — 2013

$91.32

$99.81

$6.19

$7.08

$17.65

$19.56

$13.45

$15.25

BUSINESS BANKINGMember FDIC

Downtown Mankato507-625-6816

Lake Crystal507-726-2137

www.minnstarbank.com

Many have trusted MinnStar Bank’s personalservice to help them build and grow theirbusinesses —and we can do the same for you.

there foryouDavidThompson

TomEvensvold

SteveOlson

MarkMonson

MNVB July p02 .indd 33 6/20/2013 11:35:53 AM


Employment/Unemployment

C. Sankey

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

DNOSAJJMAMFJ0

2000

4000

6000

8000

0000

DNOSAJJMAMFJ

0

1000

2000

3000

DNOSAJJMAMFJ00000

10000

20000

30000

DNOSAJJMAMFJ

*Categories don’t equal total because some categories not listed.

Services consist of administration, educational, health care and social assistance, food and other miscellaneous services.

Initial unemployment claimsNine-county Mankato region

15827346

200677

22620655

194681

+4.3%-24.5%+19.6%

-3%+.6%

ConstructionManufacturingRetailServicesTotal*

Major Industry

April Percent change‘12-’13‘12 ‘13

*Categories don’t equal total because some categories not listed.

Services consist of administration, educational, health care and social assistance, food and other miscellaneous services.

Minnesota initial unemployment claims

3,3132,9191,5635,572

13,367

3,7732,9821,4385,729

13,922

+13.9%+2.2%

-8%+2.8%+4.2%

ConstructionManufacturingRetailServicesTotal*

Major Industry

April Percent change‘12-’13‘12 ‘13

Local non-farm jobsNine-county Mankato region

- 2012 - 2013 Minnesota Local non-farm jobs(in thousands)

- 2012 - 2013

Local number of unemployedNine-county Mankato region

- 2012 - 2013 Minnesota number of unemployed - 2012 - 2013

Mankato/North Mankato Metropolitanstatistical area

(includes all of Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties)

Unemployment rates Counties, state, nation

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

4.4%

55,625

2,533

4.3%

55,888

2,481

Unemployment rate

Number of non-farm jobs

Number of unemployed

April 2012 2013

Blue EarthBrownFaribaultLe SueurMartinNicolletSibleyWasecaWatonwanMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaU.S.

4.3%5.4%6.2%6.8%5.0%4.4%4.9%5.4%5.8%5.2%5.3%7.7%

4.4%5.7%6.4%8.0%5.2%4.0%5.4%6.2%6.2%4.9%5.4%7.1%

County/area April 2012 April 2013

125,921125,458

2,950.62,818.6

7,0886,631 159,773

154,766



Construction/Real Estate

C. Sankey

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

DNOSAJJMAMFJ

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

DNOSAJJMAMFJ 0

500

1000

1500

2000

DNOSAJJMAMFJ

0

50

100

150

200

250

DNOSAJJMAMFJ 0

10

20

30

40

DNOSAJJMAMFJ

0

1000

2000

3000

DNOSAJJMAMFJ0

2000

4000

6000

8000

DNOSAJJMAMFJ

Source: City of Mankato

Residential building permits Mankato (in thousands)

- 2012 - 2013

Source: City of North Mankato

Residential building permits North Mankato(in thousands)- 2012 - 2013

Source: Realtors Association of Southern Minnesota

Existing home sales: Mankato regionInformation based on Multiple Listing Service and may not refl ect all sales- 2012 - 2013

Source: Cities of Mankato/North Mankato

Housing starts: Mankato/North Mankato- 2012 - 2013


Commercial building permits Mankato (in thousands)

- 2012 - 2013

Source: City of North Mankato

Commercial building permits North Mankato(in thousands)- 2012 - 2013

Source: Freddie Mac

Interest Rates: 30-year fi xed-rate mortgage— 2012 — 2013

Includes single family homes attached and detached, and town homes and condos

Source: Minnesota Foreclosure Partners Council

Foreclosures: Year End report

1746732

1294359575024

1263746984249585717

-28%-45%-44%-24%-2%-17%+2%+14%-29%

Blue EarthBrownFaribaultLe SueurMartinNicolletSibleyWasecaWatonwan

County 2011 2012 Percent change

$2,291.8$4,672.2

$1,882.7$2,138.1

149128 17

15

$291.8$634.5

$0$1,317.5

3.4%

4.0%



0

100

200

300

400

500

DNOSAJJMAMFJ

0

25000

50000

75000

DNOSAJJMAMFJ0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

DNOSAJJMAMFJ

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

DNOSAJJMAMFJ

0

1

2

3

4

5

DNOSAJJMAMFJ

0

1

2

3

4

5

DNOSAJJMAMFJ

Retail/Consumer Spending

$338.8$315.7

$49,563$47,885

1,180775

$29,225$31,704

$3.65

$3.79

$3.70

$3.71

(In thousands)

C. Sankey

Vehicle Sales Mankato — Number of vehicles sold

Source: Sales tax fi gures, City of Mankato

- 2012 - 2013

Lodging tax collections Mankato/North Mankato


- 2012 - 2013

Gas prices-Mankato

Source: GasBuddy.com

— 2012 — 2013

Gas prices-Minnesota— 2012 — 2013

Mankato food and beverage tax


- 2012 - 2013

Sales tax collections Mankato

Source: Sales tax fi gures, City of Mankato

- 2012 - 2013

Includes restaurants, bars, telecommunications and general merchandise store sales. Excludes most clothing, grocery store sales.

Archer Daniels

Ameriprise

Best Buy

Crown Cork & Seal

Fastenal

General Growth

General Mills

HickoryTech

Hutchinson Technology

Itron

Johnson Outdoors

3M

Target

U.S. Bancorp

Wells Financial

Winland

Xcel

Stocks oflocal interest June 13May 20

Percent change

-3.2

+1.2

+5.6

-3.7

-6.3

-9.4

+0.3

-1.9

+8.8

-2.8

+2.7

-6.4

-2.7

-0.4

-3.2

+5.4

-2.4

$33.40

$82.66

$27.12

$42.37

$48.29

$20.84

$49.26

$10.40

$6.20

$42.23

$24.77

$111.28

$69.15

$35.12

$19.16

$0.78

$29.39

$34.50

$81.67

$25.68

$44.01

$51.54

$23.00

$49.14

$10.60

$5.69

$43.45

$24.12

$118.89

$70.90

$35.27

$19.80

$0.74

$30.12

Country Inn



(507) 625-4171 | www.bolton-menk.com


38 • January 2013 • MN Valley Business

Gre

ater

Man

kato

Gro

wth

Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development

507.385.6640 • greatermankato.com

Advancing Business for a Stronger Community

Why are wages lower here? Why does gas cost more? These are the types of questions that come into Greater Mankato Growth on a regular basis. The answer is: it’s all relative. An important weighting factor is Cost of Living.

Several years ago Greater Mankato Growth joined three other metropolitan and micropolitans across the country in participating in the ACCRA Cost of Living Index (COLI), produced by the Council for Community and Economic Research. This index is used by the State of Minnesota, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNN Money, and the President’s Council of Economic Advisors.

The data used in the Cost of Living Index is gathered directly from the participating communities, which must adhere to strict data collection standards. Each participating community fills out a lengthy report on a regular basis that tabulates everything from the cost of a loaf of bread to the price of a house. This data is then compiled to determine overall Cost of Living.

Detailed reports for every participating community in the country are available utilizing the Cost of Living Calculator on the Greater Mankato Growth website at greatermankato.com/cost-living. Below is a sampling of Metropolitans in the five-state region and their relative Cost of Living:

A number above 100.00 indicates an area’s cost of living is above the national average. Lower than 100.00 means the community’s cost of living is below the national average. The Composite Cost of Living is particularly important, because it takes into consideration a wide variety of factors. So if gas is slightly higher that the national average and another factor like food is significantly below the national average, in terms of overall spending power, the consumer still comes out ahead.In the case of Mankato-North Mankato, the Composite Cost of Living is 4.9 percentage points below the national average.

Both employers and employees considering relocating to or away from the area have found the Cost of Living tool valuable in determining a community’s “real wages,” relative to Cost of Living. For example, a $48,000 job in Madison, WI is equivalent to a $42,000 job in Mankato-North Mankato. So, when it comes to the question “why are wages lower here?” - the answer may well be “they’re actually higher” – relatively speaking.

Considering Cost of Living


July 2013 MN Valley Business Copy (Page 1) Considering Cost of Living Why are wages lower here? Why does gas cost more? These are the types of questions that come into Greater Mankato Growth on a regular basis. The answer is: it’s all relative. And an important weighting factor is cost of living. Several years ago Greater Mankato Growth joined three other metropolitan and micropolitans across the country in participating in the ACCRA Cost of Living Index (COLI), produced by the Council for Community and Economic Research. This index is used by the State of Minnesota, U.S. Census Bureau, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNN Money, and the President's Council of Economic Advisors.

The data used in the Cost of Living Index is gathered directly from the participating communities, which must adhere to strict data collection standards. Each participating community fills out a lengthy report on a regular basis that tabulates everything from the cost of a loaf of bread to the price of a house. This data is then compiled to determine overall Cost of Living.

Detailed reports for every participating city in the country are available utilizing the Cost of Living Calculator on the Greater Mankato Growth website at greatermankato.com/cost-living. Following is a sampling of Metropolitans in the five-state region and their relative Cost of Living:

Cat

egor

y (P

erce

nt W

eigh

t)

Com

posi

te

(100

%)

Gro

cery

(1

3.56

%)

Hou

sing

(2

7.02

%)

Util

ities

(1

0.30

%)

Tran

spor

tatio

n (1

2.35

%)

Hea

lth

(4

.60%

)

Mis

cella

neou

s (3

2.17

%)

National Average 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Madison, WI 108.8 100.7 111.8 107.5 105.2 122.2 109.5 Minneapolis, MN 108.7 105.3 118.9 100.6 100.5 101.3 108.3 St. Paul, MN 108.0 103.2 116.7 99.2 101.4 102.0 108.8 Rochester, MN 101.1 96.2 96.2 114.0 103.1 109.6 101.3 St. Cloud, MN 95.8 107.1 77.1 99.4 96.5 110.3 102.7 Mankato-North Mankato, MN 95.1 102.0 80.0 98.8 103.7 107.6 98.6 Fargo/Morehead, MN/ND 94.4 106.5 84.7 87.5 95.3 104.0 98.0 Sioux Falls, SD 94.0 89.8 87.8 96.9 91.0 98.1 100.6 Waterloo, IA 92.5 93.1 92.2 84.1 96.4 99.7 92.6 Source: greatermankato.com/cost-living

A number above 100.00 indicates an area’s cost of living is above the national average. Lower

than 100 means the community’s cost of living is below the national average. In the case of Mankato-North Mankato, the composite cost of living is 4.9 percentage points below the national average.

Both employers and employees considering relocating to or away from the area have found the Cost of Living tool valuable in determining a community’s “real wages,” relative to Cost of Living. For example, a $48,000 job in Madison, WI is equivalent to a $42,000 job in Mankato-North Mankato. So,

Source: greatermankato.com/cost-living


The Greater Mankato Young Professionals program continues to grow and today has 164 participants. The program gives young professionals age 21 - 39 an opportunity to engage with one another while focusing on learning, socializing and service.

The Young Professionals have one social and one professional development event per month. They also have the option to participate in mentoring sessions led by Grater Mankato business leaders, as well as community service projects, including presenting the Kiwanis Holiday Lights Parade.

Annual participation in the program is $300 per individual (prorated monthly for anyone who joins during the year) and includes admission to all activities and events (a few special activities may be subject to additional charges). For more information, visit greatermankato.com/young-professionals.

Greater M

ankato Grow

th


Thank you to our program sponsors:

growth in Greater Mankato

ChiLd’s PLaneT103 Homestead Road, Mankato

Physique BouTique110 West Dukes Street, Suite 3, Mankato

saM’s CLuB oPTiCaL1831 Madison Avenue, Mankato

saM’s CLuB PharMaCy1831 Madison Avenue, Mankato

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

new Businesses!


Gre

ater

Man

kato

Gro

wth


May Business After Hours atAAA Minnesota and Jersey Mike’s Subs

May Business Before Hours atAlliance Insurance Agency

Member activities

Business after & Before hours

Business after and Business Before hours gives representatives from GMG member businesses at the engaged Level or higher an opportunity to get together with one another to exchange ideas and learn

about each other’s businesses. For more information on these and other member events, visit greatermankato.com/events.

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

July 2 Abdo, Eick and Meyers, LLPAugust 6 I&S GroupSeptember 3 Courtyard by Marriott Hotel & Event Center

2013 Business after hours sponsored by

7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

July 17 Mankato Family YMCA August 21 Laurels Edge Assisted Living September 18 South Central College

2013 Business Before hours sponsored by


Greater M

ankato Grow

th


For information on the benefits of becoming a member of Greater Mankato

Growth, visit greatermankato.com/membership or contact Member Relations

Director Karen Toft at 507.385.6643 or [email protected].

Cavalier Calls on our newest Members

aMBer PieTen TraveL aGenCy340 Pierce Avenue, North Mankato

amberstravel.com

aMeriPrise FinanCiaL serviCes – MankaTo1930 Premier Drive, Mankato

ameripriseadvisors.com

hunTinGTon hiLLs, LLC744 James Avenue, Mankatohuntingtonhillsmankato.com

river vaLLey woMan18 1/2 North Minnesota Avenue, Apt. B, New Ulm

rivervalleywoman.com

ross nesBiT aGenCies12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 1635, Mankato

nesbitinsurancemankato.com

soMndeaLssomndeals.com


Gre

ater

Man

kato

Gro

wth


Help us celebrate Minnesota Manufacturing Week in October across the region through the Tour of Manufacturing event. Manufacturing is an important economic driver in our region. From specialized trades to engineering, opportunities abound in manufacturing. By participating in the Tour of Manufacturing of South Central Minnesota, your business can help generate excitement about career opportunities in manufacturing, attract current and future employees, and create a heighted awareness of your business, industry and manufacturing in the region. The event, which is similar to a “Parade of Homes,” is FREE to the general public. A map with a description of all participating manufacturers will be distributed to residents across the nine counties of South Central Minnesota and to students from area schools and universities.

There are various ways for businesses to participate: • Agree to hold an open house at your business from 9 am

– 2 pm on October 26.Provide guided tours, self-guided tours, or virtual tours to show off what is made in South Central, MN.

• Promote your business in the Manufacturing in South Central, MN tabloid that will be inserted into The Free Press, The Faribault County Register, and New Ulm Journal to make community members aware of the strength of manufacturing across the region.

• Attend the Tour of Manufacturing. Stop in for a close up look at what is being made in Southern, MN.

The deadline to sign up to host or advertise is August 15. For more information or to register, visit tourofmanufacturing.com, or contact any of the following planning committee partners:

Liz Sharp and John Considine, Greater Mankato Growth, [email protected] |(507) 385.6641Karen Wagner, DEED-Mankato WorkForce Center, [email protected] | (507) 389.6723Heather Gleason, SC WorkForce Council, [email protected] | (507) 345.2418Greg Thomas, Enterprise Minnesota, [email protected] | (507) 469.9183Audra Shaneman, New Ulm Area Chamber, [email protected] (507)233-4300Pat Baker, Eide Bailly, [email protected] |(507) 387.6031Rob Anderson, Brown Cty. Econ. Dev. Partners, [email protected] | (507) 794.7992Linsey Warmka, Faribault Cty Dev. Corporation, [email protected] | (507) 526.2151Randy Long, DEED Business Services, [email protected] |(507)389-5770Diane Halvorson, SC Workforce Council, [email protected] |(507)345-2408

saturday, october 26, 2013 | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Brought to you by: sponsored by:

2012 Tour of Manufacturing


Greater M

ankato Grow

th


Visit Mankato, LLC, the local Convention & Visitors Bureau, is a Limited Liability Corporation of Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. Visit Mankato leads the development of the visitor economy in Mankato by actively promoting Mankato as a premier destination for

conventions, tournaments and tourism. These activities bring a steady flow of visitors and business activity to Mankato that benefits local residents and future visitors. The work of Visit Mankato helps strengthen the hospitality industry which provides jobs, a diverse

tax base and amenities for everyone to enjoy. visitmankatomn.com

Get a dose of vitamin “n” in Greater MankatoBy Christine nessler, director of Marketing and Leisure sales

Nothing feels better than getting outside in the fresh air. There’s just something about getting outside that lifts your spirits, clears your mind and gives you energy to take on the day. We like to think a big factor in all of it is Vitamin N – we’re not talking Niacin; we mean nature.

In Greater Mankato we have an abundance of nature and an abundance of ways to get out into it. For those who like good old fashioned competition you will want to experience one of our many wellness events. On most weekends spring through fall there is a run, walk or bike event to be found. You can find these events at greatermankatoevents.com. We also encourage organizations to submit wellness events and any other event to this site.

Maybe competition isn’t your thing. You can still get out and enjoy our abundance of outdoor fun, including five rivers within 15 minutes of town and multiple biking opportunities. The Blue Earth County river valley has more miles of river than any other county in the state of Minnesota. Embark on a guided paddling experience, take in the beautiful scenery or just relax and cast a line.

We have miles and miles of low-traffic, smooth roads with wide shoulders perfect for road bikers. We also have over 50 miles of paved trails. Our trail system offers spectacular views of streams, wetland areas and a wealth of wildlife. For mountain bikers, we have many opportunities including our newest trail, the MAMB (Mankato Area Mountain Bikers) Fort LeHillier Trail at the intersection of Highways 66 and 90.

Families will appreciate the many parks our community has to offer. Sibley Park has something for everyone in the family. Kids can burn off energy on playground equipment, mom and dad can squeeze in some exercise on the new outdoor exercise equipment and the whole family will enjoy the petting zoo, gardens, and beautiful views of the Minnesota River.

Perhaps you are a spectator. Mankato is the home of the Minnesota Vikings Training Camp beginning in the end of July each year and running through the first part of August. Fans can enjoy the festivities of the Vikings Village, attend practices and scrimmages at Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Blakeslee Field, get autographs signed by Vikings players, enjoy activities for youth in the Kids Zone and eat, drink and be merry.

Don’t forget about the Mankato MoonDogs. What better way to spend a summer evening than to watch America’s favorite pastime played by a collegiate summer team. The MoonDogs are a part of the Northwoods League and play at Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato from June to August. Giveaways, guest appearances by sports celebrities and silly ballgame antics can be expected at many of the games.

Consider Visit Mankato the doctor of fun. We’re prescribing you some serious Vitamin “N.” So get outside in Greater Mankato. Run, bike, play or spectate. It doesn’t matter how you choose to do it, just start soaking up the nature in all we have to offer.

The MAMB Fort LeHillier Trail at the intersection of Highways 66 and 90 is a great place for fami-lies to get some Vitamin N. Photo courtesy of Mankato Multisport Club



Mankato Magazine

Mobile/TabletAdvertising

Website Traffic BuilderFeatured Local Business

Online Newspapermankatofreepress.com

Newspaper advertising.A destination, not a distraction.

first impressions are great...

20,000+ Are BeTTerdigital advertising solutions are on sale now!

contact a represenative today 507.344.6364


Mankato Magazine


GROUPOne firm - start to finish™

WWW.IS-GRP.COM

At I&S Group we place a strong emphasis on giving back to our communities, both as an organization and as individuals. We are proud that a number of our employees serve on volunteer fi re departments for their communities, giving us a unique perspective on the design of public safety facilities. This is just one example of the hundreds of civic and religious organizations that our fi rm and employees donate their time, talents, and money to.

I&S Group —a proud partner in our communities. Learn more at www.is-grp.com.

OF DESIGN EXCELLE

NC

E40 YEARS

Giving Back


mnvalley 7 13

Documents

mankato area

excel drive mankato

building quality

local contractors

local market

ammn valley business

arnies sales servicearnie

whitespot onthe spotthat