January/February 2014 by St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

EmployEE HEaltH for a HEaltHiEr BusinEss

Well@Work

Options to help improve employee health and lower medical costs:

Well Being Services •

Biometric Screening at your location with same day results.

• Health

and Nutrition Sessions presented at your worksite.

Worksite Wellness An onsite wellness coach provides screenings and well-being education to employees.

Clinic—Onsite or Shared Site Lower medical costs and time away from work with an onsite clinic at your business or at a shared site.

BEnEfits includE •

Help reduce overall corporate medical expenditures • Build health awareness • Give employees the tools for a healthy lifestyle • Address chronic illnesses with early detection and treatment

for morE information, contact Greg Bockrath

320-203-2405 worksitehealth@hpcmc.com | hpcmc.com

These services are available to all companies. HealthPartners insurance is not needed.

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S APP

IN EVERY ISSUE 14

Business Calendar

Network Central O

20 TechStrategies

LinkedIn Ups Its Game

Social networking site LinkedIn is finding new ways to engage its professional users.

21 Going Green 22 Getting Going 24 Entrepreneurism Cybersecurity

A new online course from the SBA helps small businesses protect sensitive data.

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PROFIT

Special Sections A1 Central Minnesota Farm Show – Event program and map

40 Health Care & Medical Services

This Issue 36 Feature

Vision Good things

happen when community stakeholders come together over shared priorities.

25 Managment Toolkit

40 Special Focus

Job openings abound for those who pursue degrees in agriculture.

Paying attention to your employees’ health can result in a healthier business for you.

This Business of Farming

BORN VOLUNTEER

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

Business Tools

30 COVER STORY

B S

G R OW

PROFIT

GROW • NETWORK • PROFIT

CONTENTS

Editor’s Note

6 President’s Letter

26 Economy Central Growth and Uncertainty

Local business leaders share their forecasts for 2014

Healthy Business

46 Business Spotlight

Jay Netter, Netter’s Welding

Whether at work or as a volunteer, James Gammell is always looking for ways to make a difference. N E T WO R K

Upfront 10 News Reel

11 People to Know 12 Your Voice In Government

from around Central Minnesota.

We need to repeal the new B2B sales taxes.

What’s happening and who’s moving. Business news

10 Book Review

David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell

It’s Bad for Business

13 New in Town 16 The Trouble with Business Growing Pains

ONLY ONLINE •• Improve Your Website •• Social Media Guide for Businesses

•• Robots Like Us •• Conquering Uncertainty

www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com 4

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

Health – It’s Our Focus

Ann B. - Clear Lake

For years, Ann suffered from multiple health conditions which kept her from working. After meeting regularly with Joanna, her Health Care Home coordinator at CentraCare Clinic, Ann is back to work full-time, taking fewer medications and completed her first 5K run in June. Ann is healthier and enjoying life.

CentraCare Health — a sharper focus on your health.

centracare.com

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PRESIDENT’S LETTER NETWORK Main Phone 320-251-2940 Automated Reservation Line 320-251-2940, ext. 126 Program Hotline 320-251-2940, ext. 125 email: information@StCloudAreaChamber.com www.StCloudAreaChamber.com

Ciao Italia! Why did the Chamber president go to Italy? That’s what many asked as I prepared to visit Macerata, Italy with St. Cloud State’s Herberger School of Business Dean Diana Lawson and faculty member Christine Imbra. Chamber Vice President Gail Ivers and I were invited to visit businesses in the community of 40,000 as part of SCSU’s student exchange program. The program began five years ago through a partnership forged by Professor Imbra and her counterpart at the University in Macerata, Professor Paola Nicolini. Macerata has an inner, ancient city, protected by stone walls, connected buildings and narrow, hilly lanes. A beautiful outer city surrounds the fortress. It is perched on a high hill surrounded by valleys of vast countryside and agricultural land. But I want to talk about the people, not the breathtaking vistas. Paola Nicolini is a sprite of a woman: short blonde hair, warm smile, swift movement. As far as I can tell, she has athletic shoes to match every outfit and silk scarf in her wardrobe, most likely for negotiating Macerata’s cobblestone streets with ease. Paola was our chief host and guide, and she was magnificent fun. We met Francesco Rocchetti on our first evening. He was standing in the middle of the road, smiling and waving as we approached. Francesco is exactly as I had imagined Italian men – dark cotton sports jacket, casually draped scarf, and, of course, Italian leather shoes. He carried a messenger bag and his friendly, welcoming way was as engaging as his wonderful Italian accent. Francesco acted as our translator and guide. Lorenza Natali is the chief operating officer for the Macerata Chamber of Commerce. Lorenza presented us with an economic snapshot of the area. With a long established history in agriculture,

Chamber President Teresa Bohnen in Macerata, Italy.

Macerata’s current economic system is based on family-owned businesses of fewer than 50 employees. All businesses must register through the Chamber of Commerce, a quasi-governmental agency in Italy. Romano Carancini is the Mayor (Sindaco) of Macerata. He welcomed us as honored guests into an ornate reception hall. Sindaco Carancini has an engaging smile, and his personality reminds me of St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis, as does his obvious love for his community. He explained his great interest to increase tourism. Macerata’s crown jewel, the Arena Sferisterio, is an original sports arena turned outdoor opera venue, with incomparable acoustics and extraordinary line of vision. It is the equivalent to our gardens. Except it’s almost 300 years old and seats thousands of people. On a beautiful, moonlit evening, I am told the opera is extraordinary. If you would like my full report on our Italian visit, email me at tbohnen@ stcloudareachamber.com. We are anticipating a visit from the Macerata Chamber of Commerce soon. Together, we hope to enhance the international experiences of our members and the learning experiences of our exchange students. That’s why the Chamber president went to Italy.

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

Teresa Bohnen President

ST. CLOUD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STAFF President | Teresa Bohnen, ext. 104 Vice President | Gail Ivers, ext. 109 Director of Administration Judy Zetterlund, ext. 106 Special Events Coordinator Virginia Kroll, ext. 105 Communications & Workforce Development Coordinator Whitney Bina, ext.130 Membership Sales Specialist Jaime Buley, ext. 134 Administrative Assistant Vicki Lenneman, ext. 122 Administrative Assistant Cindy Swarthout , ext. 100 Administrative Assistant Sharon Henry, ext. 124 CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU STAFF Main Phone: 320-251-4170 Executive Director Julie Lunning, ext. 111 Director of Convention Sales Lori Cates, ext. 113 Director of Sales & Marketing Judy Okerstrom, ext. 112 Director of Sports & Special Events Kelly Sayre, ext. 128 Director of Visitor Services Jean Robbins , ext. 129 Sales & Marketing Coordinator Nikki Fisher, ext. 110 Administrative Assistant Melissa Billig, ext. 100 2013-14 BOARD MEMBERS Jim Beck Minnesota School of Business Gary Berg G.L. Berg Entertainment, Performing Artists & Speakers Jason Bernick Bernick’s - Beverages & Vending Craig Broman St. Cloud Hospital/CentraCare Health, Past Board Chair Neil Franz Neils-Franz-Chirhart, Attorneys at Law Jayne Greeney Schill St. Cloud Area School District #742 Jim Gruenke Mark J. Traut Wells John Herges Falcon National Bank, Board Chair Diane Mendel Playhouse Child Care Kris Nelson Custom Accents, Inc., Board Vice Chair Mark Osendorf Xcel Energy Dr. Earl Potter, III St. Cloud State University Roger Schleper Premier Real Estate Services Jodi Speicher The Good Shepherd Community Bea Winkler Pine Cone Pet Hospital Chriss Wohlleber Le St. Germain Suite Hotel

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St. Joseph, MN 320.363.7781

wgohman.com

EDITOR’S NOTE NETWORK

Jury Duty My big take-away from this experience was not the court action, but watching the role of the jury attendant.

n 1997 a young man crashed his motorcycle in the wee hours of the morning. He was badly injured, ended up in the hospital, and was charged with Driving While Intoxicated. When he was released from the hospital, he contested the drunken driving charge in an attempt to have it removed from his record. I was on the jury that had to determine whether or not the charge was valid. Real life trials are not like the ones you watch on TV. The lawyers are not glib. They stumble over their words. They read from their notes. They are not allowed to accuse or assume. They do not shout. And when they object they have to have a good reason or the judge loses patience. No one argues with the judge. Frankly I thought this was a slam dunk. The drug test clearly showed a high blood alcohol level. He crashed in the middle of the night in a neighborhood and one of the residents found him and called an ambulance. The place he had

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

been drinking acknowledged he’d been there. Two minutes to vote and we’re done, right? Wrong. We had to deliberate. We had to review the testimony in detail. We had to determine if his blood alcohol was really high enough to warrant the charge. We had to decide if someone had tampered with the drug test. Finally, a juror who was a student at St. John’s University spoke up and said he had been arrested for public drunkenness, he didn’t remember much about it except waking up in detox, and his blood alcohol had been less than the defendant’s. Guilty. My big take-away from this experience was not the court action, but watching the role of the jury attendant. These are volunteers whose job is to take care of the jury. Ours was a familiar face to me – it was Chamber volunteer James Gammell. James took charge. He told us what to expect when we were in

Gail Ivers

Vice President

Editor

Joel Butkowski, BDI Digital Imaging

Editor Gail Ivers (R) with long-time chamber member and volunteer James Gammell, owner of J&M Ushers.

court, when we might have breaks, what time we were to return from lunch, where we were to meet on day two, he even took us into the depths of the courthouse basement in search of a vending machine. It didn’t matter the question, he answered it with authority and we obediently followed him. From my perspective James Gammell was a perfect jury attendant. Actually, James is one of St. Cloud’s unstoppable volunteers (see the story on page 30). He has volunteered at the Chamber for over 40 years, been a member with his own business for 27 years, and still attends Chamber Connection most Fridays. He has covered our front desk, delivered top hat photos, and taken attendance at meetings. In 2005 James was fired as a volunteer jury attendant because three judges said he was running their court. Well, maybe he was. But as a juror, I just have to say… Thanks James. Until next issue,

Publisher Teresa Bohnen

Mary MacDonell Belisle WordingForYou.com

Managing Editor Gail Ivers

Melinda Sanders Central Minn. Community Foundation

Associate Editor Dawn Zimmerman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Whitney Bina St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Greg Bockrath HealthPartners Central Minnesota Clinics Teresa Bohnen St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Sharon Henry St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Dr. Fred E. Hill St. Cloud State University

Jacqueline M. Schuh Engelmeier & Umanah, P.A. Roger Strom Strom Communications Greg Vandal Vox Liberi Dawn Zimmerman The Write Advantage ADVERTISING

ART Design & Production Yola Hartmann, Hazel Tree Media

110 Sixth Avenue South

Sarah Sucansky

P.O. Box 487, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0487

Cover Photo Joel Butkowski, BDI Photography

Phone (320) 251-2940 • Fax (320) 251-0081

ACCOUNTING Judy Zetterlund

Wendy Hendricks, (320) 656-3808, 110 S. 6th Ave.,

WEBSITE Vicki Lenneman

Editorial suggestions can be made in writing to:

CORPORATE SPONSOR

56302-0487. Submission of materials does not guarantee

Associate Publisher/Sales Wendy Hendricks, Hendricks Marketing Ad Traffic & Circulation Yola Hartmann, Hazel Tree Media

Gail Ivers St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com For advertising information contact P.O. Box 487, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0487.

Editor, Business Central, P.O. Box 487, St. Cloud, MN publication. Unsolicited materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. © Copyright 2014 Business Central LLC Business Central is published six times a year by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, 110 Sixth Avenue South; P.O. Box 487, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0487 • Phone (320) 251-2940 • Fax (320) 251-0081 Subscription rate: $18 for 1 year.

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2/5/13 1:33 PM J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

Book Review

People to know

Your Voice in Government

New in Town

Business Calendar

Did you know?

The Trouble With Business

UPFRONT

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much of what we consider valuable in our world arises out of these kinds of lopsided conflicts, because the act of facing overwhelming odds produces greatness and glory. And, second, we consistently get these kinds of conflicts wrong. We misread them. We misinterpret them. Giants are not what we think they are. The same qualities that appear to give them strength are often the sources of great weakness. And the fact of being an underdog can change people in ways that we often fail to appreciate: it can open doors and create opportunities and education and enlighten and make possible what might have otherwise seemed unthinkable. Goliath had a sword, was huge and immobile. David had a sling, was nimble and had options. Options rule! BC Dr. Fred E. Hill is a professor of Learning Resources Services, at St. Cloud State University.

SUPERVISOR DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATE Enroll your first-time supervisors, those employees you plan to move into the leadership track, or those supervisors who simply need to update their skills. This six course program covers such things as employment law, hiring for retention, and conflict management. The cost is $325 for Chamber members and $525 for the general public. Sessions begin Jan. 23. For details contact Whitney Bina at 320-656-3830.

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

This book consists of three parts. Part One: The advantages of disadvantages (and the disadvantages of advantages). Part Two: The theory of desirable difficulty, and Part Three: The limits of power. In each part there are important stories of people who have battled giants – literal or otherwise. David and Goliath is a book about what happens when ordinary people confront giants. By “giants,” Gladwell means powerful opponents of all kinds – from armies and mighty warriors to disability, misfortune, and oppression. Each of the nine chapters tells the story of a different person – famous or unknown, ordinary or brilliant – who has faced an outsize challenge and been forced to respond. Gladwell says: Through these stories, I want to explore two ideas. The first is that

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

n the tradition of Malcolm Gladwell’s previous bestsellers – The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, and What the Dog Saw – his latest book, David and Goliath, draws upon history, psychology, and powerful storytelling to reshape the way we think about the world around us.

How we think about obstacles or disadvantages can help us reshape our approach to life’s challenges. By Dr. Fred Hill

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Options Rule!

By Malcolm Gladwell Little, Brown and Company, New York, 2013 ISBN 978-0-316-20436-1

NEWS & PEOPLE THAT MAKE UP THE CHAMBER NETWORK

BOOK REVIEW

David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants

GROW NETWORK PROFIT

Novak

Novak named Paraoptometric of the Year; Bierwerth receives fellowship

Jennifer Novak, practice administrator at PineCone Vision Center, was named Paraoptometric of the Year by the Minnesota Optometric Association. This award is given to an optometric assistant or technician who has made the most contributions to the profession of optometry. PineCone Vision Center’s Dr. Sara Bierwerth received a Bierwerth fellowship from the American Academy of Optometry. Fellowships are awarded to optometrists who have met rigorous qualifications and demonstrated contributions to optometry or vision science. Both Drs. Colatrella and Stacy Hinkemeyer are also Academy Fellows.

IIW named best place to work IIW, P.C. was named one of the “2013 Best Firms to Work For” by the publisher of CE News and Structural Engineer Magazine, ZweigWhite. The national publisher chooses recipients based on company culture, employee benefits, employee retention rates, professional development and other workplace practices.

PEOPLE TO KNOW

Get to know them Jayne Greeney Schill St. Cloud School District #742 (320) 202-6892 jayne.greeney@isd742.org Chair, Membership & Workforce Development Division, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce The Membership Division is responsible for all marketing and membership activities, including workforce development, networking programs and all of the Chamber’s special events.

People of interest within the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce community.

Brian Olson Mark J. Traut Wells (320) 251-5090 brianolson@jetup.net Chair, Central Minnesota Farm Show Committee, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

Marilyn Birkland Times Media (320) 255-8794 mbirkland@stcloud.gannett.com Chair, Marketing Committee, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

This committee is responsible for planning and organizing the Central Minnesota Farm Show, the largest agri-business expo of its type in the Upper Midwest. The annual three-day show starts the last Tuesday in February at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. For more information on the Farm Show, see the insert in this issue of Business Central.

The Marketing Committee is responsible for the overall marketing efforts of the Chamber of Commerce, including communication materials, advertising, publications, the website, promotional programs, and organizational research.

Peggy Imholte Resource Training & Solutions (320) 255-3236 pimholte@resourcetraining.com Chair, Business Development Council The purpose of the Business Development Council is to provide training and education for Chamber members and their employees to help their businesses survive and thrive. Programs include Executive Dialogue Groups and a variety of seminars, workshops, and certificate programs.

Jane DeAustin Central Minn. Builders Assoc. (320) 251-4382 jdeaustin@aol.com Chair, Government Affairs Committee, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce The Government Affairs Committee researches legislative issues, makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding legislative policy positions, organizes trips to the Capitol and legislative updates during the session, and maintains contact with area legislators and other elected officials throughout the year.

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UPFRONT NETWORK

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YOUR VOICE IN GOVERNMENT

Marco receives awards, expands, hires

It’s Bad for Business .

Pflepsen

McCann

Dan Pflepsen has been promoted to IT sales manager for the northwest region and Ann McCann was promoted to IT sales manager for the central Minnesota region. Greg Rolling received his certification as a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

We need to repeal the new B2B sales taxes

he 2013 omnibus tax bill included three new business-to-business (B2B) sales taxes that are bad for business in Minnesota. They need to be repealed as soon as the 2014 legislative session opens. The new sales taxes are: Labor charges for repair and maintenance of business equipment. Effective July 1, 2013, this tax raises $152 million over the next two years. Telecommunications equipment purchases by telecommunications providers. Effective July 1, 2013, this tax raises $66 million over the next two years. Storage and warehousing services of business related goods. Effective April 1, 2014, this tax raises $95 million over the next two years. The new B2B taxes do not apply if the service is done by an employee or affiliated company. The taxes are

IN THE NEWS Fujan

Janssen

Executive Express hires Executive Express hired the following employees: Lisa Fujan, office administrator/ human relations coordinator and Carla Janssen, Minnesota assistant branch manager

By Teresa Bohnen

charged at the state rate of 6.875 percent plus any local sales tax. They will increase total taxes by $314 million during the next 2 years (biennium 2014-2015) and $449 million for biennium 2016-2017. These taxes undermine future economic growth and investment opportunities in Minnesota. Economists and tax policy experts generally oppose taxing retail sales on business inputs. The new taxes create economic distortions, make Minnesota less competitive with other states, and result in tax pyramiding (taxes on top of taxes). They also discourage investment in broadband and technology infrastructure, and may ultimately increase costs to consumers in a hidden manner.1 Additionally, small and midsized businesses are most likely to be harmed as they have less in-house capacity to perform these newly taxed services. These taxes increase costs and erode competitiveness for

many industries, adding costs that are not imposed in other states. These new fixed costs are in addition to higher federal and state income taxes, new health care taxes, energy costs, and additional regulations. The storage and warehousing industry employs an estimated 72,600 Minnesotans2 and is competitive and mobile, with typical cost margins of 3 to 5 percent. Minnesota businesses of this type will not be able to pass along or absorb increased fixed costs averaging 7.17 percent (6.875 percent plus local tax). These new B2B taxes will be passed along to consumers and employees in the form of higher prices and lower wages. The Minnesota Department of Revenue estimates the new tax ultimately will fall 64 percent on Minnesota consumers and 26 percent on Minnesota workers.3 They are ultimately bad for business. BC Teresa Bohnen is the president of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce.

GNP Company sells to Maschhoffs, LLC GNP Company, formerly known as Gold’n Plump Poultry, has signed a definitive agreement whereby The Maschhoffs will acquire GNP Company and its subsidiaries. GNP Company and The Maschhoffs’ pork production business will operate as separate business units following the closing of the transaction. The transaction will have no immediate impact on GNP Company’s chicken business or The Maschhoffs’ pork production business. GNP Company’s headquarters will remain in St. Cloud, and its nearly 1,700 team members and 350 family farm partners will be retained. GNP Company was featured on the cover of Business Central in September 2002.

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

Sources: 1What’s Wrong with Taxing Business Services? Council of State Taxation prepared by Ernst & Young, April 2013; 2US Dept of Transportation, 2010 data; 3Telecommunications 2004 Study by Council of State Taxation

Marco, Inc. received the 2013 LEAF Charitable Giving Award from the Local Education & Activities Foundation for St. Cloud School District 742. The company was also selected as a 2013 Elite Dealer by The Week in Imaging, an online information and news publication for resellers of office technology, supplies and services. Marco purchased InCompass IT, a hosted/cloud services business based in the Twin Cities. Marco hired the following employees: Jason Brown; Tyler Decker; Anya Dorn; Lee Erickson; Paula Evenson; Julie Ferche; Bryan Freed; Darcy Freihammer; Tara Gesy; Rory Hollander; Trent Isaacson; Wayne Lustoff II; Adam Muller; Shane Poe; Debra Reiter; Mary Schramel; Christopher Schuh; Mark Schuh; Nick Skajewski; Carl Sorenson; and Britt Vander Eyk.

NEW IN TOWN

Willie Jett

Superintendent of Schools, St. Cloud Area School District #742 Age: 49 Previous employer: St. Paul Public Schools Business Central: What will you miss most about your previous position? Willie: The people and relationships that I developed. BC: When did you start in your current position? Willie: July 1st, 2013 BC: What are your hobbies? Watching people perform, traveling, MY KIDS

BC: Where did you grow up? Brooklyn Park, MN BC: What are you looking forward to most in your new position? Willie: Meeting members of the community and developing those relationships.

Prior to beginning my career in education I worked at a casino in Las Vegas. I was also an assistant basketball coach at the University of Pittsburgh. F U N FACT

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UPFRONT NETWORK

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BUSINESS CALENDAR January/February 2014 •• Visit events.StCloudAreaChamber.com for a detailed calendar.

InteleCONNECT receives award InteleCONNECT, Inc., a local long distance, internet and wireless company, received an award for the largest annual wireless sales this past year. Brenda Eisenschenk and Todd Fritz received this award at the annual conference with Telecom Brokerage Inc. in Chicago.

Can’t-miss opportunities to influence, promote and learn Central Minnesota Farm Show The largest show of its kind in the Upper Midwest! Meet exhibitors from all areas of the agriculture industry. See page A1 for more information on 2014 Farm Show.

Baenninger leaves CSB MaryAnn Baenninger, 14th president of the College of Baenninger St. Benedict (CSB), announced she will step down from the presidency on June 30, 2014. Baenninger began at CSB In August 2004. She has the most years of service of any of the lay presidents to lead the college.

Hultgren receives highest award Attorney Drew Hultgren, NeilsFranz-Chirhart, Hultgren Attorneys at Law, received the Martindale-Hubbell Rating of “AV” from his peers. This AV Preeminent Rating is the highest possible attorney rating for both ethical standards and legal ability.

Falcon National Bank named Lender of the Year Falcon National Bank was named Lender of the Year with the Minnesota Business Finance Corporation, the Top Rated Certified Development Company in Minnesota. In the 2013 fiscal year, Falcon National Bank had $7.1 million in SBA 504 approvals, totaling $22.5 million in overall projects. Compiled by Whitney Bina. For consideration in News Reel send your news release to givers@ BusinessCentralMagazine.com

FEBRUARY 25-27: Free and open to the public at the River’s Edge Convention Center • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

January 8 & February 5

Lunchtime Learning Educational networking events that give busy professionals a chance to stay on the cutting edge. Meets the first Wednesday of the month, noon-1 p.m. at the Chamber office. Registration is required: $15 for Chamber members, $22 for the general public. JANUARY 8: Sponsored by St. Cloud Overhead Door Company with Dr. John Eller, St. Cloud State University, presenting “Employee Motivation: Build Your Business by Treating People Well.” FEBRUARY 5: “Procrastination and the Fear of Success,” presented by Brian Hart, Sandler Training.

January 9 & February 20

Business After Hours A complimentary open house for Chamber members and guests. Bring lots of business cards and prepare to grow your network! 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. JANUARY 9: Hosted by businesses in the Northwest Professional

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

JANUARY 23: Hosted by 360 Chiropractic at the Good Shepherd Community, 325 11th St. N, Sauk Rapids, with a presentation by King Banaian on the “2014 Local Economic Forecast.” FEBRUARY 27: Hosted by Wells Fargo Bank at the Good Shepherd Community, with a presentation by Dave Faust, Stonehouse Resources, on “Stress in the Workplace.”

January 24 & February 14

Building, 2351 Connecticut Ave. S, Sartell.

Government Affairs

FEBRUARY 20: Hosted by Minnwest Bank, 3130 2nd St. S, St. Cloud.

A discussion of local government issues on the second Friday of the month, 7:30 - 9 a.m. at the Chamber office.

January 15 & February 20

Waite Park Chamber For businesses interested in Waite Park issues. Lunch is provided by the host when you register at least two days in advance. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. JANUARY 15: St. Cloud District 742 hosts at Discovery Elementary School; includes a presentation on innovation by Brad Goskowicz, Microbiologics. FEBRUARY 20: “Waite Park State of the City Address” by Mayor Rick Miller, hosted by Falcon National Bank at the Moose Family Center.

JANUARY 24: Governmental Impacts on Health and Long-Term Care FEBRUARY 14: Minnesota State Legislative Preview

February 25

Session Priorities Dinner The kickoff event to the 2014 legislature session. Gain practical knowledge on how to advance your priorities and network with business and public policy leaders from across the state. Cost is $95. Register by Feb. 11 by calling Sharon Henry at (320) 656-3824. 4-9 p.m.

Sauk Rapids Chamber

FEBRUARY 25: St. Paul RiverCentre, 175 West Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul.

For businesses interested in Sauk Rapids issues. Lunch is provided by the host when you register at least two days in advance. 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

For information on these or other business events, call 320-251-2940. The Chamber office is located 110 S 6th Avenue in downtown St. Cloud.

January 23 & February 27

DID YOU KNOW?

Keep it Simple

Filing 1099s can be easy and quick with these simple tips.

Source: Eva Nazarewicz, Intuit Small Business Blog

— between Jan. 1 and 31. You are generally required to submit a 1099 form for anyone who earned more than $600 from your company during 2013.

tracking payments to contractors yourself. 3 Get your contractor information straight. Keep key information handy. Beyond the individual’s or company’s name, address, and taxpayer identification number (all of which appears on the W-9), you’ll also want to include phone number(s), email address(es), and contracts or agreements in your records.

1 Ask your contractor(s) to

mall-business owners who pay independent contractors must prepare to file 1099-MISCs. 1099s for freelancers must be filed to the IRS — and mailed to the taxpayers who worked for you in 2013

complete a W-9. As soon as you bring on freelancers, ask them to complete and return a W-9 form. You’ll need to keep it on file for four years.

2 Maintain detailed records.

PROUD OF

4 Pull it all together now. Pull it

If you don’t have an accountant, set up an effective system for

all together now. January can be a

hectic time. Among other things, you’re required to get copies of tax forms to all employees and contractors by the end of the month. To avoid lastminute scrambling, costly errors, and amending your IRS filings, double-check that you have the most up-to-date information on file for everyone now. BC

For additional information and links to useful websites and forms, visit www.BusinessCentral Magazine.com

YEARS

ON FOCUSED THE FUTURE

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UPFRONT NETWORK

THE TROUBLE WITH BUSINESS

Growing Pains

trusted Logeman’s business expansion because of their honest relationship. Luke Riordan is founder and CEO of DAYTA Marketing, a social media marketing firm in St. Cloud that doubled its staff and moved to a larger location in two short years. Riordan said his business partner and uncle, John Riordan, convinced him “right off the bat” to hire an accountant who also served as a mentor, supporting Riordan’s decision to capitalize with a small business loan.

Are you growing yourself out of business? Here are seven tips to help you stay in control. By mary macdonell belisle

3 Evaluate staff. The entrepreneurial

ou can grow yourself right out of business. Customers are buying. Staff is working overtime. You’re hiring. It’s all great stuff, said Barry Kirchoff, director of St. Cloud State University’s Small Business Development Center, but growth needs to be planned and managed. Here are some financial, operational, and human asset considerations.

take “good cash”––cash you can use now, without affecting your current operation–– from existing cash. He can afford to put this money toward expansion, knowing the return on investment won’t be immediate and that there won’t be a cash flow problem four months from now. Remember, existing cash must still make payroll, pay bills, and keep you operating.

1 Control cash flow. Keep vigilant

2 Consult your attorney, banker, CPA,

with your cash flow forecast. Larry Logeman, owner of Executive Express, a St. Cloud transportation company that has expanded to 66 communities in two states since 2005, said it’s important to

and business mentor. This team will question your strategy. Logeman said his banker challenged him to prove sales were actually making money because “you can be busy and not making a dime.” However, this same banker also

About the writer Mary MacDonell Belisle is a freelance copy and content writer with WordingForYou.com. She specializes in business articles and profiles, web content, and book editing.

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

leadership and skills of employees can fall short of company needs during rapid growth, said Kirchoff. The company must restructure by offering additional training, hiring new talent, and terminating employees who cannot handle the change. Early on, Riordan realized he needed to move some employees into management, hire others, and invest in training. And remember, sometimes the owner needs to change.

4 Communicate. Rapid growth can create morale issues and burnout for stressed employees. Management should reiterate company strategy and vision, explain the growth, set clear performance expectations, and encourage participation. If there’s chaos at management level, this trickles down throughout the company, observed Kirchoff. If employees lose faith in management, unhappy workers quit or negatively affect the environment and customer service.

5 Meet expectations. When companies focus too far forward, they may forget existing customers. Businesses need to guard against this, said Kirchoff. Implementing a process that checks the pace of growth helps businesses stay connected to their customer base and

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Obsolete processes, procedures, and technologies undermine growth. reinforce offerings that initially propelled them to success. Riordan focuses DAYTA Marketing on its core competencies by implementing a 90-day newclient process to monitor customer satisfaction. Logeman has postponed expansion until his growing number of employees can demonstrate expertise at handling his core business.

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6 Mind the operation. Obsolete processes, procedures, and technologies undermine growth. Businesses should continuously upgrade equipment and streamline processes, but in small increments. Also, tear down departmental silos, and develop future leaders.

7 Gather information. Steve Warzecha, owner of five Subways in the St. Cloud area, is planning another. His success has depended on doing “homework.” Warzecha consults with customers and colleagues to determine the feasibility of opening a location, then pitches to the franchise. In turn, management scrutinizes his plan. Subway corporate has many tools in place to help franchise owners tap into its business expertise, Warzecha said. The Small Business Development Center, Small Business Administration, and SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) can also help growing businesses, Kirchoff said. BC J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

UPFRONT NETWORK

NETWORK CENTRAL

Network – International!

Chamber President Teresa Bohnen and Vice President Gail Ivers traveled to Italy in October at the invitation of St. Cloud State University. Professor Christine Imbra and Dean Diana Lawson organized the trip to explore developing an economic relationship with the community of Macerata. You can read more about their experiences in the President’s Letter on page 6. Watch for a more detailed report in the March issue of Business Central. Here are a few photos to whet your appetite for a possible future business exchange!

The Macerata Chamber of Commerce treated us to a wine tasting of locally produced wines. Teresa Bohnen (left); Christine Imbra; University of Macerata representative Paola Nicolini; Diana Lawson; Gail Ivers; and Macerata Chamber Chief Operating Officer Lorenza Natali

Christine Imbra (left), Diana Lawson, Gail Ivers, and Teresa Bohnen at the Macerata Arena, home to an annual summer opera festival.

Learning about chocolate at the Marangoni Chocolate factory. Christine Imbra with owner Alfredo Marangoni.

Italian guide, translator, chauffeur, and friend Francesco Rocchetti with Gail Ivers.

Christine Imbra (left) and Diana Lawson in front of one of the buildings of the University of Macerata (in back with the flags).

Benedetta Lucangeli, (left) owner of Villa Forano Winery with Teresa Bohnen.

Teresa Bohnen receiving a cooking lesson from instructor Franco.

Meeting with Romano Carancini, the mayor of Macerata. Paola Nicolini (left), Christine Imbra, Diana Lawson, the Mayor, Teresa Bohnen, the assistant mayor Federica Curzi, and Gail Ivers.

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

At Francesca’s, creator of custom wedding dresses. Here the owner’s daughter shows one of their creations.

Paola Nicolini, vice president for Orientation & Tutoring, University of Macerata with friend and cooking instructor Franco.

NETWORK CENTRAL

Network!

The 2013 Star Celebration gave Chamber members a chance to say Thank You to volunteers who held leadership positions in the organization for the past year. Photos courtesy of Entice Media Works

Amie Theis, Entice Media Works with Chamber Top Hatter Sheila Tepley, Lamar Advertising

Berta Hartig, Metro Bus (left) and Wendy Hendricks, Hendricks Marketing

Chamber Board Chair John Herges, Falcon Bank, (left) presents the gavel plaque to retiring Board Chair Craig Broman, St. Cloud Hospital.

Jenna Berger, St. Cloud Technical & Community College

Larry and Connie Logeman, Executive Express

Dr. Bea Winkler, Pine Cone Pet Hospital, retiring chair of Chamber Connection, with Top Hatter Scott Anderson, Statewide Property Inspections

Past Chamber Board chair Bill Winter, St. Cloud Federal Credit Union with Craig Broman.

Minn. Representative Tama Theis (left), Kris Nelson, Custom Accents, and Greg Theis, Greg E. Theis Remodeling

Craig Broman shows off a new pair of running shoes, presented by Chamber President Teresa Bohnen as a thank you for all the ‘running’ Broman did on behalf of the Chamber.

Chamber Board members Bill Winter (left); Jason Bernick, Bernick’s - Beverages & Vending; John Herges; and Craig Broman

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

Tech Strategies

Going Green

22 Getting Going

Entreprenuerism

Management Toolkit

Economy Central

BUSINESS TOOLS

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NETWORK

PROFIT

RESOURCES THAT HELP YOUR BUSINESS GROW

TECH STRATEGIES

LinkedIn Ups Its Game

Social networking site LinkedIn is finding new ways to engage its professional users. connections. This dot and color coded system can help you identify specific areas to build contacts. You can access the mapping tool at inmaps.linkedinlabs.com

By Dawn Zimmerman

inkedIn is taking steps to become an engaging social media platform in the likes of Twitter and Facebook – for the business world. LinkedIn was founded as a social networking tool for businesses in 2003, but for most of a decade, professionals saw it as a place to create static profiles rather than an environment where they could engage and interact regularly with the business world. That’s changing. LinkedIn has released a series of new

features that take plays from Twitter by becoming more like the morning newspaper for professionals and Facebook by encouraging posting and conversation. Here’s a spotlight on some of the changes and how you can use them to your advantage: Map your network. LinkedIn showcases Big Data with its new mapping tool through LinkedIn Labs. Using LinkedIn Labs, you can visually display your network and understand the relationships between you and your

About the writer Dawn Zimmerman is CEO of The Write Advantage, a St. Cloud-based communications company that specializes in social media.

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

Change your profile picture. Similar to Facebook, LinkedIn encourages professionals to keep their photos fresh. Changing your profile picture provides a way to stay in front of your network. The pictures should be professional. Add your community involvement. LinkedIn has added a section to spotlight how you’re involved in the community. Take a moment to add all the organizations you devote time to on local, state and national levels. Leverage endorsements. This is a great opportunity to showcase your skills or give a colleague or client a pat on the back. Nothing builds credibility like third-party endorsements. Research shows that 90 percent of consumers online trust recommendations from people they know and 70 percent trust opinions of unknown users. Endorsements affect how

your skills are ranked and the impression you leave so edit and even remove as appropriate. Push out information. LinkedIn bought SlideShare and has been implementing a series of changes to allow users to add presentations, video and other media to their profiles. You can shape your own content or share others related to your skills, business and industry. Uploading videos and presentations, posting “status” updates, or sending messages to select groups of people have become more common on LinkedIn and allow you to stay on the radar and provide value to your connections. BC

BY THE NUMBERS

Fast Facts about LinkedIn 259 million users globally

88 million users nationally

3 million business pages

6 billion professional searches in 2012 Source: LinkedIn

GOING GREEN

ROOFTOP REVOLUTION

With the cost of solar power plunging and retail electric prices rising, 100 million Americans in the nation’s largest cities will be able to “go solar” for a lower price than grid electricity in the next ten years. Source: Institute for Local Self-Reliance You can find the entire story at www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com

Pull the Plug Are you ever really turned off?

Even when your office equipment is in standby mode or turned off, “phantom” or “vampire” power loads still drain electricity. In fact, between

5 and 20 percent of your power bill pays for machines and appliances that are in standby mode or for empty adapters and chargers that are still plugged in, according to The University of California, Los Angeles. One solution is to purchase power strips that enable you and your employees to easily switch

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off the electricity that would otherwise be sent to these devices after hours. Installing programmable thermostats to turn the heat or air-conditioning on one hour before employees arrive (and off when they leave) can result in huge savings — if you use them correctly. Source: Intuit Small Business Blog

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BUSINESS TOOLS

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G R OW

GETTING GOING

From there to here:

the business ramblings of a (recovering) public school administrator. By Greg Vandal

Editor’s Note: Starting a second career, rather than retiring to the golf course, is a hallmark of the Baby Boom Generation. After 35 years as a public school administrator, Greg Vandal retired as superintendent of the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District in 2010 and promptly embarked on a career as an education consultant. He’s agreed to share his thoughts about life as a budding entrepreneur in this column we’re calling Getting Going.

hree and a half decades as an educator, the last 20 years of those as a school superintendent, and I thought I had a pretty good grasp of the challenges of private sector work. I did, after all, try to “run the school like a business” and I interacted with private sector owners nearly every day. Still, my “retirement” a few years back – at a time when I was not fully ready to quit working – prompted both the launch of a consulting service and also a growth in personal insights into the challenges faced by those who own the organizations they serve.

Continuing to Make a Difference!

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Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

BUSINESS TOOLS

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GROW

I was sharing these thoughts with a Chamber Leadership class, spouting off a bit about what I’d learned in my own startup. Gail Ivers, the editor of this publication, was in the audience. We started a conversation about the idea that the notions might be worth putting in print. While I’m not inclined to claim an expertise that can only be earned over time, I agreed to provide readers some insights into a transition I’ve made from work in the public sector to that of the sole proprietor. Rather than proclaim a particular proficiency, I intend to offer observations instead. For these two roles – though linked

in so many ways – do have differences that are distinct. Some of these jumped out at me right from the start. Prudence prompts me to maintain accounts for supplies and equipment just as were established in the schools I served. Now, though, the balances spent are what I have personally struggled to earn. If my calendar, always full as an educator, shows gaps or

overlaps, the result is an impact on my earning potential. When a call I make is missed or ignored, something I didn’t experience when I led a public school, the opportunity cost is very real. These are the kinds of things I intend to “ramble” about here. Down the road, I’ll write about marketing and communications, time management, and asset allocation. I’ll offer thoughts

about the significance of business connections and share insights into a world dependent upon the sale of services. All of this will be filtered through the lens of one not so far removed from a public sector position that he can’t remember, but still deep enough into a new private sector career that he is beginning to appreciate the challenges faced by business owners every day. BC

About the writer Greg Vandal is the sole proprietor of Vox Liberi, a consulting business that delivers planning and project management services to clients in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. He is also a partner in PEER* Solutions, a business that delivers Professional Educator Evaluation Resources in the public school sector. Greg can be reached at greg.vandal@voxliberi.com or through www.peersolutions-usa.com.

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Tax Planning & Preparation | Accounting | Auditing | Business Consulting J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

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G R OW

ENTREPRENEURISM

Cybersecurity

A new online course from the SBA helps small businesses protect sensitive data.

he protection of sensitive data such as business invoices, payroll records, client and employee data, and other proprietary information is essential to a company’s success. A computer failure or other system breach could undermine a company’s reputation, expose it to costly recovery expenses, and disrupt the business’ overall operation. Cybersecurity for Small Businesses is one of U.S. Small

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Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

Cybersecurity for Small Businesses helps identify information security vulnerabilities that can put a small business at risk, and the protective tools and techniques used to measure, maintain and guard business information and systems. Using this self-paced tool, small business owners learn the types of information that should be secured, how to protect themselves from intentional attacks

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For a link to the course, visit www.BusinessCentral Magazine.com

2014 Central Minnesota Farm Show February 25, 26 & 27

Photos contributed by KCC Farms â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gary & Sue Johnson

CENTRAL MINN. FARM SHOW 2014

Welcome to the 2014 Central Minnesota Farm Show! Brian Olson Mark J. Traut Wells Volunteer Chair, Central Minn. Farm Show

he Central

with an interest in

and education, each year

Minnesota Farm

agriculture. Visitors can

the Chamber dedicates a

Show, brought to

look for special product

portion of the proceeds

you by the St. Cloud Area

offers, entertainment,

from the Farm Show to

Chamber of Commerce, is

and educational

high school scholarships.

the largest show if its kind

opportunities from a

High school seniors apply

in the Upper Midwest.

variety of professional

for the scholarships, which

vendors. Again this year

are awarded based on

100 mile radius, the show

we have over 200 vendors

merit and a stated intent

gives area farmers a unique

showcasing their ag-

to continue their education

opportunity to check out the

SPONSORS

C ONC E S S IONS

A SPECIAL THANK YOU!

WOME N

AgStar Financial Services

ME N

1001

800

BankVista

7 - 10’ x 8’ Booths

Bremer Bank

7 0 00 7 0 02 7 0 04 7 0 06 7 0 08 7 0 10 7 0 12

LO B B Y

2000

CENTRAL MINN. FARM SHOW 2014

#19

5001

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2001 3000

3001 4000

4001 5000

5003

1039 2002

2003 3002

3003 4002

4003 5002

5005

1041 2004

2005 3004

3005 4004

4005 5004

5007 5009

E X IT

1040 1042 1044 1046 1048 1050

Central Minnesota Credit Union

6 0 00 6 0 02 6 0 04 6 0 06 6 0 08 6 0 10 6 0 12

1043 2006

2007 3006

3007 4006

4007 5006

1045 2008

2009 3008

3009 4008

4009 5008

5011

1047 2010

2011 3010

3011 4010

4011 5010

5013

1049 2012

2013 3012

3013 4012

4013 5012

5015

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E X IT

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LO ADING DOC K

Drive-thru Access #1

5017

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Glenn Carlson Exhibit Hall 87 - 10x10 Booths

Falcon National Bank Farmers & Merchants State Bank Frandsen Bank & Trust Harvest Bank MidCountry Bank Minnwest Bank, M.V. Sentry Bank Stearns Bank Wells Fargo Bank

C E N T R A L M I N N . FA R M S H O W 2 0 1 4

CENTRAL MINN. FARM SHOW 2014

2014 BOOTH VENDOR LIST* 21st Century Ag..................104-106

Channel Bio.................................924

Grain Millers................................927

Abba Roofing...............................207

Cleary Building............................831

Granite Electronics.....................202

ABC Seamless.............................803

Complete Grain................................... Systems......................804-806-808

Grassland Solutions......................11

ABS Global...................................925 ADM..............................................217 Agri-Dry.........................................825 Agri-King.......................................926

Corn Growers Association.........822 Courtland Waste.........................910 Crop Production Services..........820

Minnesota Pneumatic ...................... Products......................... 5001-5011 Minnesota Select Sires..............604

Green Energy Products............1033

Minnesota Spray ............................... Foam Insulation........................1031

Growers Nutritional....................612

Mobile Washer..........................1014

Hamblin Express.........................911

Modern Farm .....................937-943 Equipment .................... 1032-1038

Culbac Products............................... 9

Hanson Silo................... 2007-2013 ........................................ 3006-3012

Cutco...............................................12

Harren Const...............................928

Mulching Mania..........................209

Agri-Trac.....................................1003

Cy Pfannenstein.................................. Music Service..............................821

Hay Manager.......................914-916

Mycogen Seed............................828

AgStar Financial..................801-900

DK Diesel of Montevideo..........417

Hotsy Equipment........................707

National Farmers .............................. Organization..............................6007

Albers Dairy Equipment.............829

Dairy Farmers of America........1001

All America Pressure..................110

Dairy Star.......................................... 7

Allied Distribution........................419

Dairyland Pest Control.............1043

Alternative Energy Systems.............. ....................................................4004

Dairyland Real Estate..............7010

Agri-News.......................................... 5 Agri-Systems..............................1018

American Pressure.....................221 American Shelters....................1052 AMPI...........................................6004 AMPS............................................818 Arnold’s - Kimball................901-905 ........................................ 1000-1004 Arnzen Const................. 2001-2005 ........................................ 3000-3004 Automotive Parts................................ Headquarters................ 6001-6003

Dairyland Seed............................602 Dairyland Supply.................601-621 ..............................................700-720 Dan’s Custom Welding.......................... 1010-1012 Diamond Industrial Cleaning......................... 3005-3007 Dick Meyer Co.............................912 Dupont Pioneer...........................616 Ecowater....................................6009

Automation Plus.......................6015

Edward Jones . ................................... Investments...............................1011

Avon Ag Lime.................................... 2

Ellingson Co...............................1026

Barn Restoration................................ Specialists....................................219

Equip-A-Life..................................108

Hubbard Feeds...........................709 Hutton, Inc.................................6011

Morton Buildings........................614

Nextire............................ 3009-3011

Hydro Engineering......................827

Northern Tool & ................................. Equipment...........................421-520

Joe’s Supplies.....................932-934

Northland Buildings.................6005

K & S Millwrights.......................1048

Northland Farm Systems..........907

Kaler Farms.................................406

Norwex.........................................830

KASM/KDDG.................................... 1

Osakis Silo.................................4008

Kleen Test....................................713

Patz Corp....................... 1045-1049; ........................................ 2008-2012

Knife River.................................1009 Kuhn North . ..............300-302-304 America................................306-308 Lange Agricultural.....................1007 Leaf Guard Gutters/........................... MN Home Impr...................114-116 Leedstone............................921-923 Legend Seeds...........................3 & 4 Lifetime Shingles......................5013 Lumber One..............................1005

Paul Mueller Co.........................6008 ....................................... 6010, 6012 Paul’s Welding............................102 Peterson Farms Seed................518 Pluto Legal...................................305 Powerhouse ....................................... Outdoor.......................... 1006-1008 Prairie Brand Seed.....................118 Prairie Lakes Co-op....................204

Barron Built................... 7000-7008

Erickson............................................... Marketing....................810-812-814

Benton County.................................... Ag Society...................... 1022-1024

Exclusive Home.................................. Products....................................13-15

Big Iron Stock Auction................826

Falk’s Seed Farm........................412

McKay’s Dodge............ 3001-3003 ........................................ 4000-4002

BOE Custom Services................410

Falls Silo Service.........................833

MEDA....................................413-415

R & S Tire.............................608-610

Bongards Creameries..............1020

Farm Bureau ...................................... Financial Services.......................904

Messer Repair............103-105-107

RDO Equipment..................115-121 ..............................................214-220

Bremer Bank...............................400 Byron Seeds................................606 C. S. Arvola..................... 1017-1019 Calf Star...................................... 517 Carlson Wholesale....... 1039-1041 ........................................ 2002-2004

Feed Stuff Bagging.....................815 Finken Water.............................6000 First District..................................321 Form A Feed................................319 Forward Farm Lines...................307

Mark J. Traut Wells.....................816 Master Builders..........................920

Mid-Central Heating...................909 MidCountry Bank........................303 Midsota Mfg........................414-416 ..............................................418-420 Midwest Machinery............519-521 ..............................................618-620 Mies Outland...............................101

Producers Hybrids......................705 QC Supply....................................807 Quality Forklift.....................811-813 Quality Sales................................930

Real-Tuff...............................715-717 Redfield........................................213 Renk Seed...................................507 Retrogreen Energy......................515 Rinke Nooonan...........................805

Catholic United Financial.........1015

Friederich s Seed......................1050

Central McGowan.....................2006

Friedman Distributing..............6002

Mills...................................................... Manufacturing...........109-111-113

Central Minnesota.............................. Credit Union.................................908

Garage Door Store.....................819

Mimbach Fleet....................120-122

Royalton Lumber........................505

Central Minnesota.............................. Financial Advisors.......................906

G3 Power Systems.....................112 Genex Cooperative.....................817

Minnesota Dept.................................. of Agriculture.............................1016

Rudnicki Tractor Ranch..................... .....................................510-512-514

Minnesota Dept.................................. of Agriculture...............................823

Safe-T-Pull..................................4006

Central Minnesota Ethanol.......809 Centra-Sota Coop......... 4001-4013 ........................................ 5000-5012 Champion............................................ Milking................ 401-405-500-502

C E N T R A L M I N N . FA R M S H O W 2 0 1 4

Genex Farm......................................... Systems.............. 1025-1027-1029 Gilleland Chevrolet.............203-205 Gilman Coop........................................ Creamery.............................913-919

Minnesota Farm Guide..............200 Minnesota Farmers Union........402 Minnesota Milk Producers........922

Rock Star....................504-506-508 Roto-Mix...............................700-720

Saldana Concrete.......................317 Sam’s Club..................................301 Schlenner Wenner.....................918

CENTRAL MINN. FARM SHOW 2014

Show-Me..............................309-311 Shortline Co.........................313-315 Silver Stream Shelters...............212 Simonson Installation........................ ........................................ 3013-4012

Tiry Engineering..........................513 Titan Pro.......................................211 Tony’s Lifetime Exteriors...........100 Townsquare Media......................... 6

Slipka Trading.............................516

Traeger Industries......................824

St. Cloud Overhead Door...........835

Tri-County Foam........................1013

St. Cloud State University..........206

Wells Fargo..................................600

St. Cloud Times Media.............5015

Western Products.......................711

St. Cloud Toyota............ 1021-1023

Wieser Concrete.........................201

Stearns County................................... Farm Bureau...............................902

Wilson Trailer Sales....................509

Stearns Electric...........................501 Steffes Group..............................210 Stine Seed...................................208 Stor-Loc................................800-802

Wingert Sales.............316-318-320 Woller Eqipment........310-312-314 WVAL................................................. 8 Your Home Improvement..........511

Sunrise Ag....................................215

Ziegler Cat......................1040, 1042 ....................................... 1044, 1046

Surface Specialists.....................408

Zip’s Diesel Injection................6017

The Land.........................................10

Zoske’s.......... 929-935-1028-1034

The Minnesota Project...............503

*based on data as of December 9, 2013

Thein Well....................................404 Thunder Seed...........................6006

Growing On. For the Hackett family, successful farming has always been about strong connections — to the land, each other, and their network of trusted partners. Now, as ownership passes from father to son, those relationships are more important than ever. The Hackett’s thriving 900-acre operation is a result of long-term commitment, vision, and trust — qualities they sought in a lender as well. And as a lender with roots in farming, they discovered an advocate who saw their potential and treats them, well, like family. If you’re ready to start or grow your business, we’re eager to listen.

Sauk Rapids 1301 2nd St N. 320.252.5121

Because friendly still counts.

Pierz

80 Main St. 320.468.6422

fmpierz.com C E N T R A L M I N N . FA R M S H O W 2 0 1 4

10545

l page 7.5x10 4c

Looking for an ag banker?

For generations, our ag bankers have lived and worked among our customers. They work only with ag‑related businesses and are local decision makers who can respond quickly as conditions change for your specific financial needs. It’s the main reason Wells Fargo is the #1 lender to U.S. agriculture among commercial banks. To learn more about reaching your financial goals, stop by and see us at the 2014 Farm Show. We will visit you on site and get to know your ag business needs

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11/8/13 4:46 PM

BUSINESS TOOLS

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GROW

MANAGEMENT TOOLKIT

This Business Of Farming Job openings abound for those who pursue degrees in agriculture.

Potential teachers don’t necessarily have to graduate from an agricultural college. There are plenty of opportunities for engineers that can teach the technology used in agriculture. Everything from GPS systems to map fields to renewable energy, genetics and robotics. To bring attention to the ag teacher shortage, educators across the country participated in “National Teach Ag Day” last September. Agricultural teachers talked about career opportunities with their students. By Roger Strom

f all the careers in the country, agriculture is one of the most promising. There just aren’t enough graduates from agricultural colleges and universities to fill the thousands of ag-related jobs. Three years ago, USDA released a report called “Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in Food, Renewable Energy and the Environment 20102015.” According to that report, there will be 54,400 jobs a year within the agricultural and food systems, renewable energy, and the environment fields. However, only 29,000 students are expected to earn degrees in agriculture and related industries. Apparently, the shortage of young people wanting to work in the various areas of agriculture is so serious, some of the nation’s largest ag-related companies like DuPont, General Mills, Monsanto, Cargill and Poet have been holding job fairs on college campuses to woo students with higher wages and other incentives

like paid internships. DuPont/Pioneer alone plans to add an additional 3,000 to 4,000 jobs in the next five years. The University of Wisconsin River Falls reports high demand for their graduates of the agricultural business program with nearly 100 percent employment rates and starting salaries averaging above the median for college students. This shortage also extends into the field of ag education. Graduates are in demand to fill a 15-year shortage of agricultural teachers with 49 of 50 states reporting a lack of people willing to become ag educators. According to the National Association of Agricultural Educators’ website: “This year it is estimated that there will be hundreds of unfilled positions across the United States…simply because not enough students are choosing to be agricultural educators.” Natasha Mortenson, president of the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators says, “This year, Minnesota will likely not be able to fill all of our agricultural positions that are open in high schools.”

Speaking of education… We’ve really got to start doing a better job of educating city folk about farming. Awhile back, newspapers, radio and television stations in Washington, D.C., reported a bull was loose terrorizing neighborhoods. Police stations were getting 911 calls for two days, reporting an aggressive bull scaring residents. Officers were finally able to catch up with the animal, with claims the bull charged at them and they were forced to use a tranquilizer gun. Here’s where the education part comes in. As it turns out, the bull was actually a cow, a pregnant cow. Not what most of us would consider a dangerous threat. That, my friends, is “no bull.” jus-sayn BC

This column was reprinted with permission from Roger Strom, Strom Communications. For information on this and other articles on agriculture, contact Roger Strom at jussayn@live.com. Copyright 2013 Strom Communications; All Rights Reserved. Check out the farm show insert on A1.

About the writer Roger Strom is owner of Strom Communications and part of the Morning Show on KASM Radio, Albany. He has over 30 years of broadcast experience and writes a syndicated weekly newspaper column covering agricultural topics.

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

ECONOMY CENTRAL

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PRESENTED BY FALCON BANK

Growth & Uncertainty Local business leaders share their forecasts for 2014

s 2014 kicks off, Business Central explores what the year has in store for Central Minnesota. We asked local industry leaders to share their business forecasts for the coming year. We interviewed one person each from healthcare, technology, manufacturing and construction. Here’s what we learned: HEALTHCARE Jeanette Stack, administrator, St. Cloud Surgical Center Healthcare trends prove difficult to determine in 2014. With so many changes occurring in the industry, no one completely understands what the year might bring. “We don’t know what to expect in 2014,” Stack said. “With the Affordable Care Act, more people will have insurance, which might increase business, but higher premiums, deductibles and co-pays could prevent patients from seeking care.” In the past few years, patients have been opting out of elective surgery until they have a serious medical problem that needs to be addressed. Stack

predicts this trend will continue in 2014. Despite the uncertainty, St. Cloud Surgical Center recognizes its priority. “We have to keep focused and deliver good, highquality care for our patients.” TECHNOLOGY Bruce Hagberg, CEO, riteSOFT The ever-changing world of technology continues to advance and improve in 2014. “Technology always plays a major factor in the ability for companies to stay competitive,” Hagberg said. “Businesses have to stay on top of change. One of the largest problems Central Minnesota manufacturers face in 2014 is the challenge of finding qualified employees to help fuel the growth.” Technology can help decrease that problem, Hagberg said. “More companies are automating more processes which help businesses become more efficient and predictable with fewer employees.” riteSOFT has one main goal in 2014: take special care of its growing global customer base.

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

MANUFACTURING Allison Waggoner, human resource, safety & communications manager, DCI, Inc. Manufacturing companies continue to see steady growth in 2014. “Currently we have the largest backlog of orders in the 11 years I have been here, and at this time, there are no signs of flattening out,” Waggoner said. “Companies are able to focus on some capital improvements that they neglected during the recession.” However, growth and economic recovery don’t come without difficulties. “Many manufacturing companies are having a difficult time finding the right employees,” Waggoner said. Despite this setback, the coming year looks positive for the manufacturing industry. “Overall, I think 2014 is going to be very stable.” CONSTRUCTION Douglas Boser, president, Boser Construction “2014 will be a strong year for the construction industry,” according to Boser. The pent-up demand for projects is still in effect, leading to the development of both commercial and residential projects. “Back-fill” projects, ones that update older buildings, will prove popular, he emphasized. Despite the positive outlook, the industry faces some challenges. There is a shortage of trade professionals throughout the industry, according to Boser. For Boser Construction, this will be the largest year ever. “We have several medical and office projects lined up for 2014,” including the new Quinlivan and Hughes office building going up on the outskirts of downtown St. Cloud. BC Compiled by Whitney Bina

Economy Central presented by

$16,000

91 141 143 170 181 167 140

ECONOMIC INDICATORS TRENDS Sartell St. & Cloud

SM OA

No. of 95 65 47 49 25 50 33 47 44 45 91 141 143 170 181 167 140 19 13permits 18 4145 57

$2,119,248

$2,622,023

$2,287,838

Sartell Sauk Rapids

$0 F

O M

N A

No. of permits 34 16 No. 7 of 3permits 4 97 12

D M

M A

A S

M O

18 40

4 52

57 48

37 12 19 16 150 19 13 57

Compiled by SharonWaite Henry,Park data current as of 12/12/13 Sauk Rapids

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING RESIDENTIAL PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS

Commercial Building Permits

$2M

$2,704,237

$2,054,485

$3,325,100

$2,750,900

$2,021,194

$2,359,750

St. Cloud

$2,301,210

$1.5M

$2,071,350 $2,284,500

$2,119,248

$2,622,023

$2,287,838

$2,704,237

$2,054,485

Sartell

$1.5M

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING RESIDENTIAL PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS

Residential Building Permits $2M

$0 M AO MN JD

Sauk Rapids Sartell

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING RESIDENTIAL PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS $2M

No. of permits 97

$2M

$1.5M

$500k

$1,743,345

$1.5M

St. CloudWaite Park Sauk Rapids

Sartell

$2M

$600k

$1,743,345

$596,300

F 33

$3,325,100

J 25

$2,750,900

$2,021,194

$2,359,750

$2,284,500 $4,080,909

No. of permits 145 95 47

Sartell St. Augusta Waite P Sauk Rapids $400k

COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDA COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS,RESIDENTIAL CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, RESIDENTIAL CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIA RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMIT

$.5M

apids

$1M $0 M AO MN J D J J A F SM OA

No. of 19 13permits 18 4145 57 95 65 47 49 25 50 33 4744 45 91 141 143 170 181 167 140

J S FO M

No. of 95 65 47 49 25 50 33No. 44of permits 91 141 45 1434317016181 23 167 30 140 35 19 13permits 18 4145 57 47 45 $500k $500k

$4,080,909

Sauk Rapids Sartell

$0 J

A O

S N

O D

$400k

$0 D J F M O $2M No. 7 of 3permits 4 97 12

N A

M D

$300k J F J

A S

40 18 52 4

O M

N A

D M

$1.5M $0 A S M O O J NJ DA

M O

$1M J A

57 48

M A

$0 J J AOF

M ODA SN

S MN

D JO

St. Joe $1M

$300k

$500k $0 $411,094 J S FO O M N A D M

$411,094 $0 M O J NJ DA

1 40of 0permits 12of permits 16 150 3 19 4 57 No. 52 348 81 54 No. 15 11 $400k $400k

7735 83

$8,024,900 $596,300

$2,135,900

$0 J F M AO MN JD JJ $2M $600k No. 2 of4permits 2 734 16 9 77 83

$200k $24,200

Sauk Rapids Sartell St. Augusta Waite Park

$400k

D 1

$300k J J

54 1512 11 16 150 19 57 $200k

$15,000 $30,060

$0 J FJO M AN A SD M OJ

7No. 8 7 of311permits 141 3112

135

$0 $100k

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL $500k

$0 O MJ AA

N 9

$400k

$16,000 $900k

$6,375 $7,500$3M

St. Joe

$16,000

$6,375

43 38 29 8 65 7 49 3 50 No. 847 of1permits 645 No. 3 of 16 7permits 523 14 630 9035 1240 No. permits 37 12 19 18of permits 4 57 45 3 $1,031,478 34 16 16 150 19 13 57 No.40 52 48 $1,031,478 239 of428 2 722 9 $1.2M $1.2M

40 No. 39 of28 38 22 29 No. permits 34 16 735 of 3permits 4 97 12

$100k $600k

$500k

$1.2M

$.5M

$100k

$4M

$0 O $400k No. of permits 14

$1M

$1.5M $0 J S FO M AO MN JD

$600k

$1.5M

$4,080,909

$1.5M

$200k $800k

$19,854,821

$5,137,891

$5,412,980 M A

37 16 150 12 19 19 13 57 $200k

$17,172,684

$6,476,471

$400k

$8,024,900 $596,300

$6,362,170

$3,325,100

$2,750,900

$16,000 $3M

$1M

St. CloudWaite Park Sauk Rapids

Sartell

$500k

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS$7,500 RESIDENTIAL

$0 F

$4M

$.5M

$5M $1M

$1,743,345

$1,031,478

St. Augusta St. Augusta

$16,000

$2,021,194

$0 O N $2M No. of permits 34 16

$.5M

$600k

$596,300

$1,743,345 $0 M AO MN JD

$600k $0 SM OA M O J NJ DA

$2,359,750

$2,284,500 $4,080,909

$1M J J

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL

$4,080,909

$3M

$596,300

$1,743,345 $0 O N

$.5M

$1M

of permits 97

$1.5M

Waite Park Waite Park

TS BUILDING PERMITS AL

$4M

$19,854,821

$5,137,891

$17,172,684

$5,412,980

$2,119,248

$2,622,023

$2,054,485 $6,362,170 $2,704,237 $6,476,471 $2,287,838

$3,325,100

$0 O $2M No. of permits 97

141 143 170 181 167 140

$1.5M

$1M $300k

$2M

$600k

$10,496

$3M

$.5M

$5M $1M

$1,743,345

$4M

$.5M

$2M

$1M

$10,496

$1M

$1M J J

$2,750,900

$2,021,194

$2,359,750

$2,284,500

$2,301,210

$2,071,350

$1.5M

$5M $1M

$2M

$0 JM AOA S

323 of 7 61 9 162 No. permits 2 50 14

St. Joe Waite Park Sauk Rapids

St. Augu

$900k $300k BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS TS,RESIDENTIAL CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING COMMERCIAL PERMITS, RESIDENTIAL CONSOLIDATED BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING COMMERCIAL BUILDING CONSOLIDATED PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING COMMERCIAL PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLID $900k PERMITS, $300k RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL

N 5

$200k $24,200

$800k 8 $300k

$1M $0

$600k

100

$15,000 $30,060

$0 N D J F A M JO M AN $400k No. 77 of3 11permits 141 8 312 1 153

$0 $0 AF SM OA M O J NJ DA J S FO M O 4 5 4 No. 1512of 11 permits 1 40of 0permits 16 150 3 19 4 57 No. 52 348 81

9 21 8 $200k $800k

$0 $100k $600k

$0 A A SD M OJ JF JM AO $400k 126 No. 3 23 of permits 72 50 14 61

O 18

12No.12 11$400k 1133 of permits

$200k $90k

$6,375 $7,500

9016 129

221

48 No.15 2 of permits 718 9 127 7 8 $30k $21,733

$53,545 $200k $24,200

240 39 $800k

$500k M J $411,094 J A $0 O

No. of permits 3

$1M F M

N 4

19 2

21 2 3

$0 F

J A $0 M AO

No. of permits 12

No. 7 of 7permits 4 38

2 $800k

M O

A N

M D

11 3 141 8

721

$0 M

0.8 $200k

$10,404

0.6 100

2.5

N J 11

0.0

-0.4 O -0.6N

J F

A M

S A

O M J -0.8 23 7 -1.0

A O

J A $0 M AO

No. of permits 12

7 of 7permits 4 No. 38

3 1

J F

Food & Beverage Collections ax Dollars Food Tax & Beverage Tax Collections St. Augusta Unemployment St. Joe CLOUD ST. CLOUD St. Augusta ST.Rates St. Joe 2012-2013 J

J $30k A

-0.4

1.0 $0

MO J N J D A J S F OM $0 $60k O N

100 M

AF 0.5 SM 83

0.0

S OA 87

11 141

$800k

ST. CLOUD 2.8% $600k 2.5% $350k

ST. CLOUD $600k $150k

XXXX $250k

$200k

O -0.8 2

$150kJF$0 JM

No. of permits 1

$100k

-1.0 J F 2nd Quarter

Unemployment Rates Unemployment Non Farm JobsRates $50k 4th quarter

1st Quarter

71 87 $800k

11 141

$1M FO MN S

AD MJ

0$120k 2$400k 1

M A M 3rd Quarter

J A S O $0 J $60k F M O A N M

J $30k A

J J A S O JM AA SM $0 $0 O N D J F M OA 1

No. 0 of permits 0 0 12 0

COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMIT COMMERCIA $1M

$1M

$300k 2012/13$400k QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP STEARNS $400k COUNTY

0 of permits 0 0 12 0 No.

No. of permits 1

$800k

$343,111

$251,275

$800k

FO -0.6 MN AD MJ

$250k

Lodging Dollars Food & Beverage Tax Tax Collections

0.4 $0 DJ JA F S M O OA NM DJ JJ $300k 0.2 $400k 017 No. 010 011 0101 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 of permits

$30k 1.5 $21,733

$53,545

$3,269,962

$600k

200

$200k $90k

$10,404

1.0

150

Gross Domestic Product Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions

$2,224,021 $3,397,262

$600k $150k

$425,000

3.5

$26,995

ST. CLOUD

XXXX

0.0

$21,733

$425,000

$21,733 $53,545 $100k

$26,995

ST. CLOUD

$1M

$200k

Lodging Dollars Food & Beverage Tax Tax Collections St. Joe St. Augu ST. CLOUD ST. CLOUD

$200k

$200k 40 $0

$600k

S M

O A

0.5S

0.0

N M

O 8

XXXX $250k

N/A

1.1%

$200k

$0 F

$600k 2.5% $350k

1.0

COUNTRY WIDE

1.5$30k $21,733

$53,545

2.8% ST. CLOUD

NM DJ JJ FA MS AO M J J $300k $400k 2.0 4 No.1 1 10 116 719 4 1 1 8 15 106 66 19 $400k of permits 1 8

$100k

$800k

Food & Be Unemployment Rates 10%

$0 J $60k F M

$800k

3.1%

$200k 3.0$90k

30 No. of permits 11

20 $50k

$120k

3.5

2.5

$150k

2 -0.2 -0.2 Building departments $200kfollowing cities: St. Sources: for the Cloud, Park, St. Augusta,$200k and St. Joseph. $90k$200k $200k $15,000 $24,200 Sauk Rapids, Sartell, Waite1.1% $15,000 $90k 0

1 of 0permits 3 481 No.

$200k

$120k

$800k

3.1% Sales Closed3.0- Total Lodging TaxHome Dollars

$53,545 $100k

$200k

$15,000

$600k COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, BUILDING CONSOLIDATED $600k COMMERCIAL PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED $350k $150k

200

UNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE 2012/13$400k QUARTERLY % CHANGE $400k IN REAL GDP

$0 $0 $0 O $60k M DOJ J J F A M S AO M NM DJ JJO FAN MS D AO JM FJ MJ O A N S $400k No. of 48 No. 7 of permits 7 44 12 8 of 8 7822 4712 8No. 812 of 1 No. permits 113 $400k 118 33 58 2217 102.0 11 5 10 17 7 4$120k 4 3 733 4 permits 7 12 81 1217 11 15 18 11permits 150

Employment

A D

$1M

$10,496

$0 $1MS

MO J N J D A J S F OM $0 O N

$251,275

JJ O

= exceeds chart scale $1M

32 16 $800k

St. Joe

COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS,BUILDING CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL PERMITS, CONSOLIDA

$26,995

SJD

J $0

$150k

$200k

$800k

0.4 $0 AF SM OA M OJ 0.2 permits 82 No. 150 of18 1 16 12 9 50

No. of permits 3

M $1M A

F A

$343,111

0.6

100

150

100 M J

J J

$25,000

0.8 $200k

$0 $0 DS AJO M F M NM DJ O JJ N FA M J JAO M AN 10 $400k $2M 11 1141 12 372 of11 2permits 0 4permits 0 3 531 211 No. 141 31 16 12 51

$200k $24,200

D J

$25,000

1.0

150

$2,135,900

$3M

M O

Gross Domestic United ProductStates Nonfarm Jobs

$1M

UNITED STATES - MONTHLY $400k $200k $400k10% CHANGE

$300k $15,000 $30,060 BENTON COUNTY $0

$600k

311 141 8

$1M O N A S

$25,000

200

M A

$600k BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED $600k COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED $300k

$1M

$4M

CLOUD $0

COMMERCIAL $300k

Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions ome Sales Closed - Total $15,000 $30,060

$400k

United States Nonfarm Jobs

$600k

$800k

$2,135,900

200

$5M

$600k

No. 1 of 0permits 3 81

$400k

$800k

$500k $0 $411,094 J F O M N A D M

Home Sales Closed Sheriff - Total ’s Foreclosure Auctions Lodging TaxHome Dollars Sales Closed - Total Waite Park Sauk Rapids ST. CLOUD St. Augusta Waite Park ST. CLOUD BENTON COUNTY ST. CLOUD

$600k CONSOLIDATED BUILDING CONSOLIDATED $600k COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, $900k PERMITS,

$1M

0 $300k

$3,269,962

$2,135,900

COMMERCIAL $900k

N J

$2,475,200

$2,135,900

630 035

$3,397,262

523

$1.2M

e Auctions Sauk Rapids Sartell

$3,269,962

No. 16 8 of1permits 3 $1,031,478 645 43 3 7

$1.2M

SM OA

$2,224,021

of permits$1,031,478 8 7 3

$3,397,262

St. Joe

$7,500

$200k

JJ $0

$200k

No. 6% of permits 11

M J $150k J

$25,000

$15,000

$2,475,200

$0 M AO MN JD

$2,224,021

$8,024,900

$2,224,021 $2,475,200

$1M

$1.5M O

$600k

St. Augusta St. Augusta

TS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS,BUILDING CONSOLIDATED ESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS BUILDING PERMITS AL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS RESIDENTIAL $1.5M $0

$300k

$0 $0 JD JJ O AF N SM DOA JM FJ MJO AN $400k $400k 11 4 5 No. 715 of 7permits 38No. 4of permits 13 80 33 83 22 71 12No. 87 12 141 11312 515 of11permits 11 4

$0 $0 S$60kA O M O J NJ DA J S FO M AO M

M ODJ SN

$21,733

$0 $600k

100

$800k

$800k $53,545 $200k $24,200 $100k

$3,745

AN MD J J J F AM SA OM J J $200k 522 1712 112 1711 1011 115 1017 $600k 1 17

150

$1,777,934

$1M

$200k $24,200

$1M

$0 F MO

$400k 33 No. of permits $120k

$2,475,200

St. Joe

$10,496

Waite Park Waite Park St. Joe

$1M

$10,496

$1M

$2,135,900

$2,224,021

S 15

St. Augusta St. Augusta apids

$2,475,200

$8,024,900 $596,300

$1M $300k J J A

$1M $0 D J F M OA NM DJ JJ FA MS AO M 10 $600k 2 No.3 of permits 2$2M0 121 516 2 9 321 28 015 118 16

150

$16,000

$6,375 $7,500$3M

$600k

$3,745

$4M

$400k12 No. of permits

$425,000

O 11

$1,777,934

S 15

$10,404

$25,000

$5M $1M J A

$10,404

COMMERCIA COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMIT $300k $900k

$150k

$7,500

$0 $0 $0 $0 A M J J A S O O J NJ DA J S FO M AO MN J D J J AOF SNM ODA JM FJ MJ AO A MN S JO D JJ N D F M A M $2M $400k permits 16 57 No. 40 52 239 of428 238 734 929 7735 83 847 of1permits 645 No. 43 3 of 16 7 523 14 630 9035 1240 No. 22 16 permits 37 150 12 19 13 18of permits 4 48 5748 65 7 49 3 50 No. 45 3

$0 O D J F M M J A N S O O $2M $2M No. permits 735 of3permits 4 97 12 39 of 28 38 34 22 16 29 No.

$4,080,909

$19,854,821

$5,137,891

$17,172,684

$5,412,980

711 9

200

$3,745

$100k

$2,135,900

$8,024,900$596,300

215

$.5M

$1M

6 $0 J

$1.2M

Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions Sales Closed - Total Home Sales Closed - Total Lodging TaxHome Dollars Waite Park Sauk Rapids St. Augusta Waite P

$300k $100k $300k $100k $30,060 BENTON $30,060 COUNTY ST. CLOUD $400k ST. CLOUD ST. CLOUD $0 $0 COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED $900k $3M $600k $600kCONSOLIDATED $600k 200 12

$1,777,934

$1,031 $400k

$800k

$2,135,900

$3M

$1M

$1M $300k NM DJ JJ FA

1 No.2 of permits 4 $2M 2 147 9 9 1 7 2 8 45 $200k $800k

$1.5M

$411,094

$200k

$800k

$2,475,200

$.5M $16,000

$0 M

N 9

$500k

$1M

$200k

$.5M

$6,362,170

$4M

$0 O $2M 10 14 No. of permits

$500k

$1.2M

$2,224,021

$1,031,478

$4M

$1M

$600k

$10,496

$600k

$8,024,900

S 52

$1,743,345

$800k

$2,135,900

A 40

$5,137,891 $10,496

$400k $6,375 COMMERCIAL $7,500

$19,854,821

$17,172,684

$5,412,980

52 16 48 150 19 440 12

$8,024,900

$5M $1M J J

$6,476,471

$5M$1M JJ

$1.5M

$5M

$600k

St. Cloud

BENTON COUNTY $100k $16,000 $100k $6,375 $7,500 $3M COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED $3M

NM DJ

$1M

$2M

Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions Sartell Sauk Rapids

$1.5M

150 719 357 16

$500k

$6,476,471

$3,325,100

$6,362,170

$200k $4M

$2,750,900

$200k $4M

$2,021,194

$1,743,345

$600k

$5M $300k

$2,359,750

Sartell

$5M $300k

$4,080,909 $2,284,500

$1.5M

$19,854,821

$5,137,891

$2M

$17,172,684

$5,412,980

$2M

J A $0 M OA N

4 No.1 of permits 1 10 1 6 1

$100k

Minnesota Nonfarm Jobs Minnesota Nonfarm Jobs $50k

M 4thAquarter M J 1stJ Quarter A S

2nd O Quarter

3rd Quarter

N/A

COUNTRY WIDE MINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE - MONTHLY % CHANGE COUNTRY WIDE MINNESOTA 2012-2013 % CHANGE COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED 2.0 10% 2.0 10% 0 0 $0 $0 0$1M $0 $0 4% $1M J J A S O J J A S O J J A S J F M A M J S J O AN O N D J F 10% M $1M A MO J N J D A J S F OM A M S O N D J $1M FO MN AD MJ JF JM AA SM S O N D J F SM OA NM DJ JJ FA MS A M 2.0% 1.5 1.5 $300k NGE 2012/13 QUARTERLY % $300k CHANGE UNITED IN STATES REAL GDP - MONTHLY % CHANGE STEARNS COUNTY2012/13 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP STEARNS COUNTY MINNESOTA 3.5 3.5 1.5% 1.0 50 50 1.0 $200k 1.0 $800k $800k $800k $800k $250k $250k 3.1% 3.1% 8% 8%1.0% 0.8 0.5 0.5 3.0 3.0 . CLOUD COUNTRY WIDE MINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE ST. CLOUD ST. CLOUD ST. CLOUD COUNTRY WIDE ST. CLOUD 2.8% 2.8% $200k $200k 0.6 40 40 $600k $600k $600k $600k 0.5% 2.0 $350k $150k 10% $150k 0.0 $350k 2.5% 2.5% 200 8% $150k 10% 0.0 2.5 2.5 0.4 $150k $150k 0.0% 1.5 -0.5 -0.5 $300k $300k COUNTY UNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE QUARTERLY % CHANGE6% IN STEARNS MINNESOTA /13 QUARTERLY % CHANGE STEARNS MINNESOTA BENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY 0.2 30 REAL GDP 30 $400k $400k COUNTY2012/13$400k $400k IN REAL GDP 6% 2.0 2.0 $120k $120k $100k $100k 3.5 1.0 50 3.5 50 $200k 1.0 $100k-1.0 -0.5% $200k 150 0.0 -1.0 $250k $250k 3.1% 3.1% 1.5 1.5 8% St. Cloud 8% St. Cloud 0.8 N/A N/A 20 20 $50k $200k $200k $50k -0.2 0.5 $200k $200k 3.0 6% -1.5 Paul Minneapolis/St. Paul Minneapolis/St. 3.0 -1.5 1.1% 1.1% $90k 2.8% -1.0% $90k 2.8% 0.8 $200k $200k Minnesota Minnesota 0.6 40 40 -0.4 1.0 1.0 $150k $150k 2.5% 2.5% United States United$50k States 0.0 100 -1.5% $0 4% -2.0 $0 4% -2.0 2.5 J J A S 2.5 F M A M J J J F AM SA OM NJ D J A S O N D M DJ JJ FA MS A M S O N D J F S M OA NM DJ JJ FA MS A M J F M A M10 J J J F A M S A O M N J D J J 0.4 J A S A S O N -0.6 10 J $0 $150k$0 $150k $0 $0 0.6 St. Cloud $60k O N D J F M AO M O N D J F M AO M $60k N JD JJ AF SM N JD JJ AF SM OA M J J A 0.5 S O 0.5 OA M J J A S O -0.5 Minneapolis/St. P -2.0% 0.2 30 30 -0.8 No. of permits 6% 6% 2.0 2.0 permits 1 1 0 No. 0 of 0permits 0 0 0 2 1 3 5 0 11 7 4 1 1 10 6 19 1 8 5 6 6 No. of permits 11 7 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3 5 0 4 1 1 10 6 19 1 8 5 6 6 Rochester $100k $100k $100k $100k 0.0 0.4 -1.0 0% 50 0.0 -1.0 0 0.0-2.5% 0 4% A S O N D J F M A M J J $30k O N D J F M 4thAquarter M J 1stJ Quarter A S 2nd O Quarter N JD JJ AF S M OA M J J A S 4th quarter 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 3rd Quarter O N D J F M AO M $30k 1.5MA S JO N JD 1.5 St. CloudJ O N D J F M A M J A S O N/A A S O N D J F $50k M A A N/A -0.2 20 20 $50k -1.5 Minneapolis/St. Paul 1.1% 1.1% $343,111

OMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING $350k PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED $350k

XXXX

FO -0.6 MN AD MJ

-0.8

-1.0 J F 2nd Quarter

4th quarter

NTRY WIDE

1st Quarter

MINNESOTA J

$150k

1.0

$200k J

$0 F

0.0 F

2.0

M 4thAquarter M J 1stJ Quarter A S

2.0

Median Local Nonfarm JobsHo

$343,111

Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions Median Housing Prices

Local Nonfarm Jobs Local Nonfarm Jobs 2nd O Quarter

MINNESOTA - MONTHLYMINNESOTA % CHANGE - MONTHLY % CHANGE0.8 $150k

Minnesota Unemploy Nonfarm J

St. Cloud Source: www.positivelyminnesota.com $50k 4% $0 Minneapolis/St. Paul J F M A M 10 J S J O A N SD OJ NF M OA N M DJ S A M S JJ FA M J J A S Minnesota BENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY MONTHLY %COUNTY CHANGE - MONTHLY % CHANGE BENTON AND- STEARNS United States

Minnesota Nonfarm JobsNonfarm Jobs Minnesota O

XXXX XXXX X XXX XXX

Unemployment Rates Food & Beverage Tax Collections

$7,500

$3,745

MINNESOTA

$200k

M A M 3rd Quarter

COUNTRY WIDE 10%

Median Housing Prices Median Housing Prices0.5

JM AA SM

employment Rates Unemployment Rates

$343,111

-0.4

Source: www.positivelyminnesota.com 0

uctions oreclosure Auctions 0.5

0.0

$251,275

XXXX

Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions Median Housing Prices

XXXX XXXX XXXX

Gross Domestic Product Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions

$26,995

$25,000

$251,275

oss Domestic United ProductStates Nonfarm Jobs

1.0

$1,777,934

Food & Beverage Tax Tax Collections Lodging Dollars

$7,500

$1,777,934

$425,000

odging TaxHome Dollars Sales Closed - Total

Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Gross Domestic Auctions Product

$343,111

$3,269,962

$3,397,262

$3,269,962

Gross Domestic United ProductStates Nonfarm Jobs

$3,397,262

arm Jobs

3rd Quarter

0 M

O A

N M

D J

F A

M S

D M

A O

Minnesota United States

St. Cloud Minneapolis/St. Paul Rochester J

0.2 Benton & Stearns Counties $50k4% Minnesota -2.0 J F M A M JJ United States 0.0

-0.2

0% J

J A N0.8U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

M OJ N J D

37$30k 12

19 13

65 49 50 47 45 $0 $150k O N D J $0 O7 N No. of permits 8 3 D8

F PRESENTED BY FALCON BANK

$100k No. of permits 3 J F M A

4 M

11 141

ECONOMIC INDICATORS & TRENDS $50k D

No. of permits 12 7 J F M A M

4 J

7 J

7 A

4 S

Housing/Real Estate S

100

$53,545

XXX $600k

0.5

$.5M

$400k

0.0 $30,060

$300k $16,000

$21,733

-0.5

$16,000 $0

$400k

$200k

0.5 $06% $0 $0 $0 O N D J F M A M J J A S O O N D J F M$200k A M $0 $200k 4D J J A S O J J F M OA NM D J J J F A MS AO M O N D J F OM NA DM JJ FJ MA AS MO J -1.0 34 16 7 3 4 12 16 150 No. of permits 97 37 12 19 13 No. of permits 18 4 57 65 49 50 47 45 of permits 7 0.0 8 5 15 11 No. of50 permits 34 16 No. 12No.19 13 18 14 4 9 57 1 65 2 49 4 50 2 47 7 45 9 7 of permits 3 4 1212 5 16 2150 319 257 040 152 1648 9 21 St. Cloud $0 $0 O N D J F M A Minneapolis/St. M J J A Paul S O O J J 2A S O -1.5 $0 $0 -0.5O N D J F M A Minnesota J141 J 3 A 1 S 1 O 2 No. of permits 12 No. of permits 1O 7 4 7 7 4 8 M4 J3 J8 A8 S7 O8 O

1.0

$200k

$15,000 $21,733

$.5M

$400k

$6,375 $7,500

J A FM M J

No. of permits 1

J O-1.0 J A

St. Cloud Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota United States

N/A

$42

$0 $53,545 $0 O N D J F M $200k A M J J A $0S O $0 $0 $15,000 O A NM D J J J F A M S A O M J J A S O O N D J F M $100k No. of permits 145 95 47 25 33 44 91 141 143 170 181 167 140 of permits No. of permits 145 95 47 No.25 No. of permits 33 44 3491161417 143 3170 418112167 16140150 19 57 40 52 48 $0 N/A $50k M A M J J A S O O N D J F M A M $0 F3 M6 A3 M7 J5 J6 A0 S2 O No. of permits 6% O3 N4 D1 J0 F 3 M 1 A 7 M11 $0

$200k $24,200 $200k J J A S

XXXX

8% $200k $24,200

XXXX XXXX $400k

$100k

ECONOMY CENTRAL M

$.5M

$400k

$16,000

1.5

$.5M

$25,000

$1M

$400k

$150k

$10,496

$.5M

$.5M $200k

1.0

$600k

150

$251,275

$400k

$250k

$60k

$.5M

$600k2.0

$200k 8

$26,995

$300k $2M

$25,000

$343,111

$90k

10% $600k

$250k

$350k $600k

United States 0 2 1 3

-2.0

No. of permits 11 A M J J

-1.5

Gross Domestic Product

-2.0

St.Rapids Cloud Sartell Sauk Rapids Waite Park St. Augusta St. Cloud Sauk Sartell Sauk Rapids COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, United States Nonfarm Jobs Gross Domestic Product Product Creation AL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOL COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS,BUILDING CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED heriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions Median Housing Prices Local Nonfarm Jobs Home Sales Closed Total Lodging Tax Dollars Unemplo Food & Beverage Tax Collections UNITED STATES 2012/13 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP BUSINESSES CREATING IN LAST YEAR TEARNS COUNTY ST.Lodging MINNESOTA BENTON NEW ANDPRODUCTS STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE CLOUD ST. CLOUD COUNTRY WIDE ST. CLOUD Tax Dollars Unemployment Rates Minneso Food & Beverage Tax Collections 3.5 0.8%

$1M $200k $50k $24,200

$1M

$100k $30k

0.4

-0.6

$1M

-0.2

0.2

$1M

$200k

0.0

$53,545

0.5

$3,397,262

$425,000

8%1.0 0.5

$400k

1.1%

1.0

$21,733

$100k 6%

$2,135,900

$343,111 $8,024,900

$8,024,900

1.5

$150k

1.5

$600k $600k = exceeds chart scale

$600k

$200k $0

$200k $24,200

0.0 6% -0.5

$200k $24,200

$0$15,000

-1.0

N/A

$50k

$0 St. Cloud $0 0.0 $0 $0 2nd Quarter O 3rd J J A S O N Quarter D J F M A M $0 quarter M ACentral M O MN J N J D A J S F OM N A DM 4th 1st Quarter Minnesota J J A S O JJ FJ MA AS M-1.5 J D J F M OA NM D J J J F A MS AO M O N D J Minneapolis/St. F OM NA DM Paul O J No. of permits -0.2 No. of permits 3 8 7 3 8 1 3 $06 3 7 5 6 0 2 4 1 0 34%1 7 11 Minnesota J F M A M J J A S O N D No. of permits No. of permits 12 7 4 7 7 4 8 4 3 8 8 7 8 No. of permits 3 8 1 3 6 3 7 5 6 0 2 3 4 1 0 3 1 1 1 7 0 11 0141 03 01 01 0 2 2J 1F A S S O N D J F M A M J J A S United States

Minneapolis/St. Paul Rochester

$400k

0.4

St. Cloud -0.8 Minneapolis/St. Paul -1.0 N/A 0.0% Rochester $0 J F

$0 $0 O N D J F $50k M A 0.2 M J J A S O D J F M A M J J A S O J J A S O O N D J F M O A NM D J J J F A M S A O M O 0% 45 43 16 23 30 35 40 39 28 38 22 29 35 0 No. of permits 0 $0 M 7O A 5N M 6D J 0J J 2F A M S A O M O1 28 N 0 38D 3 22J 1 29F 7 35 M11 A141 No. of permits 3 O 8 N 1 D 3 J 6 F 3 $50k 3 4 39 No. ofJ permits No. ofA permits 45 43 16 23 30 35 40 S MO3 JN1 J D1 A J2 S F OM M J8 J A S O $0 $0 St. Cloud S O N D J F M A M J J A S S 0.0O N D J F M A M J

2.0

8% $200k

$2M

= exceeds chart scale

0.1%

$2,224,021

$5,137,891

$19,854,821

$343,111

$17,172,684

XXXX

0.3% 0.2%

$30k

-0.2 -0.4

$15,000

2.5%

2.5

2.8%

$26,995

0.6

$250k

$800k

$25,000

$10,496

$60k

0.6

0.4%

0.0

$2M

3.0

XXXX XXXX XXXX

0.5% $600k

0.2

0.8

$150k

$60k

0.8

$3M

MINNESOTA 10% 2.0

3.1%

50$100k

$3M

$200k

$400k

$2M

0.6

$4M

$800k

$0 $10,496

$100k $2M

0.7%

0.4

$250k $90k

$90k 100$150k

$4M

BENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY %0.6% CHANGE

$120k $300k

0.8

Local Nonfarm Jobs

$1M

COUNTRY WIDE $350k .79% 10% $300k

.71%

$10,496

$600k

MONTHLY % CHANGE $5M

1.0

$2,135,900 $5,412,980

$3M

$19,854,821

$3M

$150k

$6,476,471

150 $120k $200k

$350k $5,137,891

MINNESOTA

$4M

$800k

$5,412,980

$6,362,170

$8,024,900

$4M

$6,476,471

Median Housing Prices

$17,172,684 $6,362,170

$150k

$1M

$5M

ST.$150k CLOUD

$200k

$2,475,200

$5M

$1M

$5M

ST.200CLOUD

Sources: Minnesota Compass led4% by Wilder Research; Bureau of Economic Analysis - www.BEA .gov.

-2.0

Commerce/Services

Gross Domestic Product Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions Median Housing Prices Local No QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP STEARNS COUNTY MINNESOTA BENTON AND ’s Foreclosure Auctions Median Housing Local Nonfarm Jobs Sheriff ’s Foreclosure AuctionsPrices Home Sales Closed - Total Lodging TaxRates Dollars les Closed 2012/13 - Sheriff Total Lodging Tax Dollars Unemployment Food & Beverage Tax Collections Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions Home Sales Closed Total Lodging Tax Dollars STEARNS COUNTY MINNESOTA BENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY MONTHLY % CHANGE BENTON COUNTY ST. CLOUD ST. CLOUD 3.5 $200k 12

2.5%

2.5 40

2.8%

$120k

150

2.0

$90k

1.5 1.0

0.0 0 J

4th quarter

O A

N S

1st Quarter D O

$100k

2nd Quarter A

A O

S N

$50k Minneapolis/St. Paul

3rd Quarter 0J

O D

$0 J FS

0 MO

0% O MD

N JJ

D JF

J AM

F SA

M OM

O A J

N M J

DJ A

JJ S

M M S

A A O

M 0 J

J O

A N

S D

United States ’s Foreclosure Auctions Jobs United States Nonfarm Jobs Nonfarm Cost of Living -Sheriff Minnesota

ERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP

0.0

0.2

$60k

St. Cloud $30k Minneapolis/St. Paul Rochester

$30k

N/A

O N D J F M -0.2 0 O N D J F M A M JJ J F A M S A O M J J A S M S A OM N J D J J A F S MO A M

J J $0A

J S

A S

S O

-0.2

O N

0.0

D 4% J

F M

S O N D J F M A S AM MA JM J J A J S A

F M

Sources: Tax Collections – City of St. Cloud Incorporations - MN Secretary of State, Graph courtesy of SCSU

Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auc Local Nonfarm Jobs Sheriff ’s Foreclosure Auctions STEARNS COUNTY

STEARNS COUNTY BENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % C 50

3.1%

0.8

0.4

2012/13 QUARTERLYMINNESOTA % CHANGE IN REAL GDP 3.5 3.5 $200k

1.0

Rochester

O J

$90k

$60k

Gross Domestic Product Median Housing Prices Gross Domestic Product 2012/13 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP

UNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE STEARNS COUNTY UNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE 1.0

0.2

St. Cloud

Housing/Real Estate sources: St. Cloud Area Association of Realtors, http://stcloudrealtors.com/pages/statistics; Benton County Sheriff’s Civil Process; Stearn’s County Sheriff’s Office; http://thething.mplsrealtor.com/

mestic Product

The St.2.8% Cloud area experienced a below average cost of living during the third quarter2.8% of 2013. The 2.8% “all items” index for 0.8 40 3.0 0.6 40 0.6 40 2.5% $150k 2.5% 2.5% St. Cloud was 92.9, or 7.1 percent below the national average of 100 for the quarter. That compares to an “all items” index of 2.5 0.4 0.8

0.4

XXXX XXXX

97.4 in the same quarter a year ago. 0.2

2.5

0.6

0.2 0.0

$100k

St. Cloud, MN

92.9

100

76.3

Minneapolis, MN

110.3

114.0

St. Paul, MN

108.0

Mankato, MN

84.7

J A

A S

S O

0.0

G Se ood rv s/ ice s

H Ca ealt re h

-1.0 0 J F M A M J M D J J A O M N J D J J A F SM OA N

T po ran rta stio n

Ut ili tie s

Ho us ing

G Ite roc m ery s

Al l It em s J

New York (Manhattan) NY

0.5

New York (Brooklyn) NY

0.0

Honolulu HI

$50k

4th quarter

1.0

1st QuarterO

4th quarter 1st Quarter N D J F 3rdMQuarter A M 2nd Quarter

XXXX

250

-1.0

200

3rd Quarter

-0.8

0.5

0.4

ACCRA 1.1% Index

150

-0.8

-0.6

1.5

100

1.0

-0.6

2nd Quarter

1.1%

-0.4

1st Quarter

2.0

Third Quarter 2013 -0.2 1.5 20 -0.2 Minnesota and other Upper Midwest Cities-0.4of Comparable Size to St. Cloud 0.0

1.1%

3.0

$50k 50

$30k

XXXX XXXX X 0.6

= exceeds chart scale

$90k

0.4

$50k 10

0.5 10

$100k 100

100

$120k

0.6

$200k 20

0.8

$150k

$60k 4

$100k

1.1%

0.8

$150k

$250k

$150k

10%

$150k

$300k

$150k

COUNTRY WIDE

ST. CLOUD

200

$350k

200 40

ST. CLOUD

$200k

$150k

$343,111

ST. CLOUD BENTON COUNTY

3.1%

3.0

0.2

221.3

St. Cloud 175.6 Minneapolis/St. Paul

0.0

Rochester

167.5

2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter J J A S O

San Francisco CA

159.9

-0.2 M JA

O N D FM MJ AJ

95.7

112.3 102.8

New York (Queens) NY

151.4

117.8 96.7

106.4

97.5

110.1

Hilo HI

149.1

111.1

111.5 95.2

106.5

98.9

109.6

San Jose CA

148.8

95.2

103.2

83.5

94.6

102.8

100.9 97.9

Stamford CT

143.3

Washington DC

141.6

Cedar Rapids, IA

91.9

87.2

84.4

99.0

98.9

103.9 93.4

Orange County CA

140.7

Eau Claire, WI

94.3

94.5

81.5

94.6

102.5

109.6 99.6

Milwaukee, WI

101.7

98.5

106.0 108.1 99.3

Among the 306 urban areas participating in the first quarter report, the after-tax cost for a professional/managerial standard of living ranged from more than twice the national average in Manhattan, NY to almost 18 percent below the national average in Norman, OK.

113.7 96.6

J M A

F SJ

M OJ

The Cost of Living index measures regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services, excluding taxes and non-consumer expenditures, for professional and managerial households in the top income quintile. It is based on more than 90,000 prices covering almost 60 different items for which prices are collected quarterly by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. Small differences should not be interpreted as showing any measurable difference, according to ACCRA.

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

Economy Central presented by

A A

M S

J O

Rod Runge

Vice President and Branch Manager

John Herges President and CEO

Jessica Bitz

Vice President and Senior Lender

Roger Hansen

Commercial Lender – SBA Lender

SMALL BUSINESS LOANS BIG BUSINESS AWARD 2013 MBFC SBA Lender of the Year.

That’s Reality.

www.FalconNational.com

Whether at work or as a volunteer, James Gammell is always looking for ways to make a difference. ★ BY GAIL IVERS // PHOTOS BY JOEL BUTKOWSKI, BUTKOWSKI DIGITAL IMAGING ★

FACT OR FICTION: On November 11, 1918 the Armistice was signed. James Gammell was on a train to Texas. He got off the train and sold newspapers.

FICTION >> “Oh, don’t write that,” Marcy Gammell said. “That’s just one of his silly jokes.” James Gammell was born April 13, 1918 and while he may have been on a train to Texas with his father in November, he did not get off and sell newspapers at seven months old. He did sell newspapers at one point. He’s also been a paymaster, an inspector, a salesman, and a business owner. But he started his working life as a timekeeper for the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1942. He was assigned to a work crew that was

repairing track between Little Falls and Wadena. “We had 400 Mexicans working on the track,” James said. “The railroad didn’t want them to go home, so they planned to keep us out working on track all winter.” His office was one-half of a box car. The other half was his bedroom. That box car got pretty cold as winter set in so on December 4, 1942, while they were in Sartell, James walked across the bridge and applied for a job at Char Gale, where they made airplane wings for the army. “I was the paymaster and did cost accounting,” James said. “I had 14 people in payroll and 18 people in cost accounting and I was paid $27.50 a week.” The guys working in the shop were paid $125 a week, but despite his efforts, James was not allowed to transfer to the shop. So on $27.50 a week, he and Marcy were married.

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Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

PERSONAL PROFILE James Gammell, 95, and Marcella (Marcy) Gammell, 94 Owners, James M. Gammell Ushers

Hometown: Jim is from Minneapolis and Marcy is from St. Paul

Education: High School Work History: Minneapolis Shopping News; Northern Pacific Railroad; Char Gale; Bernick’s Bottling Co; Gammell & Murphy Printers; Franklin Manufacturing Co.; AAA of Minnesota; James M. Gammell Ushers

Family: Eight children, six still living; 12 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren

Hobbies: Travel, poker and other card games, bowling, fishing, volunteering

BUSINESS PROFILE James M. Gammell Ushers Address: 330 13th St N Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

Phone: (320) 251-8928 Email: 3aaajames@gmail.com

Owners: James and Marcy Gammell

Business Description:

After volunteering at the Chamber of Commerce for 41 years, James Gammell traded in his black top hat for a gold one.

Services for conventions, tours, sporting events and other large groups, including handing out programs, taking tickets, directing parking, and checking entry badges.

Total number of employees: 8; at its peak the company had 30 employees

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

TIMELINE 1938

James Gammell graduates from high school.

1938-1942

James works at a local grocery store and at the Minneapolis Shopping News.

1942

James leaves the Minneapolis Shopping News to work on the Northern Pacific Railroad as a timekeeper

December 1942

James quits the railroad to work at Char Gale

May 22, 1943

James Gammell and Marcella Zwicky are married.

1945-1950

James works as office manager at Bernick’s Bottling Co.

1950 – 1954

Mike Murphy and James open Gammell & Murphy Printers.

1954-1964

James works as an inspector at Franklin Manufacturing

1964 – 1988

James works in sales for AAA of Minnesota, retiring April 30, 1988

1988 – 1992

James worked at TravelEasy as a tour guide, receiving free travel opportunities as pay.

1986 – present

James and Marcy start James M. Gammell Ushers

FACT OR FICTION: James and Marcy Gammell have been married for 75 years. FICTION >> State Rep. Tama Theis presented the Gammells with a certificate of recognition from the Minnesota House of Representatives honoring their 75 years of marriage. “The problem was,” James said with his characteristic cackle, “it should have been 70 years.” “She said she’d get that corrected,” Marcy added. The Gammells met because one of Marcy’s cousins was in high school with James. “My cousin kept inviting me over every time Jim was there,” Marcy said. The two dated for five years before marrying in 1943. “He used to come by streetcar a couple of times a week,” Marcy said. “He would always come for sure on Sundays for dinner, so my mom said I’d better start doing the cooking.” Marcy’s wedding dress cost $35 and when they moved to St. Cloud they traveled by bus. In 1945 James left Char Gale to become the office manager at the Bernick’s Bottling Company. In 1950, he made his first sojourn into business ownership. He and partner Mike Murphy, opened the Gammell & Murphy Printers. They built their own building

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

James and Marcy Gammell have been married 70 years.

and helped Murphy build a house. Before they were able to build a house for the Gammells, part of their original plan, they dissolved the partnership. From 1954 to 1964, James worked at Franklin Manufacturing Company, now Electrolux, as an inspector. “I got fired for being too tough,” James said. “If it wasn’t done right I wouldn’t let it go out.” “Oh, don’t say that,” Marcy said. “It doesn’t sound good.” “It’s the truth,” James said. “I was fired two or three times, but that happens. I was never unhappy with any job and we never went hungry and we were never cold. I didn’t make a lot of money, but I made a living.”

During this time, both James and Marcy could be found volunteering. Marcy was active in the schools and president of what was then called the Mrs. Jaycees. James, already a fixture with the Boy Scouts and the American Red Cross, was on the board of the Jaycees and turned into Santa Claus every Christmas Eve. Following his firing from Franklin, James landed a position at AAA Minnesota doing membership and auto insurance sales. After 25 years he retired from AAA in 1988. Anyone who doesn’t know what to do during retirement should talk to James Gammell.

FACT OR FICTION: James Gammell has volunteered for over 400 years. FACT >> “I was born to volunteer,” James said. (See “Born to Volunteer” on pg. 34.) “I’ve been a Boy Scout since I was 11 years old. I started Troop 5 when I moved to St. Cloud and I still do merit badges.” That means he has volunteered for the Boy Scouts for 67 years. He joined the Boy Scouts in 1928. He and his fellow troop members collected paper during the war to earn cash to buy their Boy Scout uniforms. When he arrived in St. Cloud as an adult, James approached the Boy Scout office about volunteering. Troop 5 had been disbanded for lack of leadership and James was asked to rebuild it. He did, serving as cub master for 11 years. In 1964, while between jobs, he left Marcy with their four children to travel as assistant scoutmaster for the local troop that went to the National Jamboree at Valley Forge. James continues to volunteer for the Boy Scouts, one of his few remaining obligations. “I do the citizenship badges for community, nation and world,” he said. “The boys come here and I ask them questions – who’s the governor, who are the Minnesota Senators, things like that. I just give them a verbal test they have to pass. Sometimes I send them back

for more information. It’s a lot easier now than it used to be because they can just look up the answers on the Internet. You used to have to really work to get that information.” All five of the Gammell’s boys were Eagle Scouts, the highest award given in the Boy Scouts. “We had neighbors who also had five boys and all of them were Eagle Scouts, too,” Marcy said. “That’s pretty unusual to have 10 Eagle Scouts on one block. We were written up in the paper.” James also has a long history of volunteerism with the Knights of Columbus, the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, Stearns County, and the City of St. Cloud. But the group that is dearest to him is the American Red Cross. “I think the volunteering that was most meaningful, the group that makes the most difference, is the Red Cross,” he said. “I volunteered for 60 years. I never went out of state, but they could send me anywhere they wanted in the state.” During much of this time he was at AAA. As his own boss, he had the flexibility to respond to emergencies. “One year I was in Avon and it started to snow. I called WCCO – they did a weather report – and told them to announce that they shouldn’t send buses to St. Cloud because we were having a terrible snow storm.” A bus did come and was stranded in St. Cloud. “There

Top: James Gammell hawks baseball programs at Municipal Stadium (now Dick Putz Field), ca 1972.; Middle right: For 46 years James was Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.; Bottom: James and daughter Mary Lynne Goenner. Mary Lynne works with her dad at J&M Ushers.

FUN FACT:

James Gammell took scuba diving lessons when he was 70 years old.

BORN TO VOLUNTEER When you combine the number of years James has volunteered for various organizations, (with the occasional stipend thrown in) it comes out to over

was one couple from California and one from Minneapolis, both of them were on their honeymoons,” James said. “They spent the first night of the honeymoon on an 8 by 8 wrestling mat at the St. Cloud Armory.” During his 60 years with the Red Cross James worked with people who had experienced floods, tornadoes, and fires. “I went on lots of calls for fires to help people,” he said. “One year there were so many that one of the firemen asked me if I was the only one who worked at the Red Cross! I was president of the board and on the board for many, many years.” How did James become involved in this life-long commitment? “He just went and asked if they needed some help,” Marcy said.

400 years.

BOY SCOUTS: Cub Master and Merit Badge Counselor: 67 years AMERICAN RED CROSS: Disaster Team Captain, Zone 4 Chair of the Northern Lakes Field Territory, chair of the Central Minnesota Red Cross Board and on the Board of Directors, disaster team volunteer:

60 years

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH: volunteer, lector, usher and acolyte:

49 years

Santa Claus at Christmas Eve:

46 years

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ST. CLOUD COUNCIL NO. 961: Breakfast committee, Tootsie Roll fund drive, Deputy Grand Knight, the 60th Grand Knight, trustee:

42 years

ST. CLOUD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Top Hatter:

41 years

CENTRAL MINNESOTA SKAT ASSOCIATION: Skat Meister: 31 years Stearns County Park Board member: 23 years St. Cloud Park Department member: 20 years Whitney Senior Center Advisory Board: 20 years Stearns County jury attendant:

19 years

ST. CLOUD SPORTS INC.: Board member and volunteer:

15 years

National Guard Citizen Committee: 13 years St. Cloud Jaycees: Board of Directors and all offices:

12 years

ST. CLOUD CITY CELEBRATIONS Pioneer Days Parade chair, Centennial chair, Wheels, Wings & Water parade chair and treasurer:

10 years

Minnesota Special Olympics:

2 years

FACT or FICTION?

“Before Holy Angels moved, every time a casket was brought into the church an acolyte rang the church bell. One day I was pulling the bell for the casket and the rope broke, so I pushed the bell instead. It came back and hit me in the face and knocked me over. A couple of the church ladies came in and saw me and one asked the other, ‘Do you know him?’ ‘No,’ said the second lady, ‘but his face rings a bell.’“

FACT

James Gammell likes to tell jokes.

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

FACT OR FICTION: At 95, James Gammell is the oldest active business owner in the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, and possibly in Central Minnesota. FACT >> James’ current business – yes, at 95 James still runs his own business – came about because he saw a need he could fill. St. Cloud State University used students to hand out programs and collect tickets, but found that the students were easily distracted by the games and by their

friends. “The university tried volunteers, which worked for one month,” James said, “but the next month they couldn’t find anyone to volunteer. So I started a company.” James M. Gammell Ushers uses mostly retired individuals to hand out programs, take tickets, direct parking, and check entry badges at sporting events and conventions. “We did about $30,000 worth of ticket taking when we were most active,” James said. “It’s a lot of paperwork – billing and payroll. That’s not for everyone, but I spent

most of my early working life doing it, so it’s fine.” After a 27 year relationship, SCSU decided to stop using James M. Gammell Ushers and return to student help. That’s slowed, but not stopped the business, according to James. In September 2013 they took tickets at the Big Rock Sports Midwest Dealer Show and in December James M. Gammell Ushers could be found at the Midwest Dairy Expo checking badges. “I’m running this business until my daughter Mary Lynne takes over,” James said.

“That’ll happen when they dig the hole for me.” In the meantime this interview is over. The Gammells are busy people. James started his day at 7:30 a.m. at the Chamber Connection where he is the official keeper of attendance. “124 today,” he said. The Business Central interview ate up the rest of their morning and they need to have lunch before James goes off to play cards at the Eagles and Marcy heads to a veterans party. This evening James is running the projector for the movies at the Good Shepherd Community,

where the couple lives. Tomorrow James is selling programs at the SCSU football game where the weather forecast is for cold and wind. “I’ll just have to dress for it,” James said. The two are headed to the Twin Cities later in the day for a birthday party. And in between he may put in a few hours at the Good Shepherd Gift Shop. “There’s always something to do,” Marcy said. BC Gail Ivers is the vice president of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce and managing editor of Business Central Magazine.

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FEATURE

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PROFIT

VISION

Good things happen when community stakeholders come together over shared priorities. By Melinda Sanders

n 2011, the St. Cloud Times, the Initiative Foundation, and the Central Minnesota Community Foundation convened more than 200 area leaders to engage in a community visioning process. The intent was to shine a spotlight on initiatives that were already underway strengthening and enhancing the vitality, vibrancy and quality of life in the St. Cloud region. This process led to the adoption of a “Top Ten” list of Community Priorities.

These priorities were selected because of their potential to create positive impact on the region; engage multiple interest groups; provide opportunities for public/private collaborations; and produce measurable results. The Initiative Foundation, Central Minnesota Community Foundation, and Morgan Family Foundation stepped forward to provide funding to help support the work on these priorities. Positive results have been achieved in

eight of the priorities identified in 2011. One of the priorities was for the community to support the establishment of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation. This nonprofit organization was incorporated in 2011 and is now spearheading the economic development efforts of the greater St. Cloud region. Another priority focused on promoting arts, culture and entertainment and connecting the arts with greater St. Cloud’s identity and brand. This priority was accomplished through the launch of a new website, aroundthecloud.org. Both of these priorities received support from a variety of organizations. “The community is moving forward by establishing new, innovative partnerships among some of our key institutions,” said Mimi Bitzan, who participated in the original visioning process. “Leaders in business, education, arts, government, area nonprofits and others are pooling their best resources to make things happen.” Other “Top Ten” priorities deemed a success include the re-establishment of regional air service in St. Cloud, and the increased awareness and use of the multigenerational, multi-cultural volunteer portal, Volunteer Central, operated by the United Way of Central Minnesota. Progress on other priorities is ongoing. For example, St. Cloud State University, the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation and other community partners are continuing to work

NEXT STEPS Reviewing and updating the community priorities is an on-going activity. The next update and work session is Feb. 20, 2014 from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. Attendees will hear an update on the current priorities and have the opportunity to discuss and vote on new or additional issues. Registration and location are yet to be determined.

You can find more details at www.communitygiving.org

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

“Leaders in business, education, arts, government, area non-profits and others are pooling their best resources to make things happen.” – MIMI BITZAN

together on a priority to “create regional education and business partnerships to build and retain an excellent workforce.” Another priority moving forward is the construction of an aquatic center through an alliance between the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA and the City of St. Cloud. Work on the priority to “streamline local regulations for new and growing business” has struggled. However, a focus group of business leaders did meet to discuss the barriers to growth and expansion that local regulations pose. A Marnita’s Table event was held to link immigrant entrepreneurs with resources, to address the “facilitating connections for new

immigrants within the broader community” priority. Nevertheless, when community members met in March 2013 to renew their visioning process, this priority was repackaged.

THE NEW SET OF PRIORITIES ESTABLISHED IN 2013 INCLUDES: •• Retain, expand and attract businesses Advance a regional branding effort. Maximize the impact of educational institutions on regional economic development via commercialization of intellectual property and university-business partnerships. Nurture culturally diverse entrepreneurs.

•• Support student success through a cradle to career approach for education and workforce development Launch a web-based talent portal to link workers, employers, educators and resource partners. Establish the Executive Leadership Group to guide Partner for Student Success transition and engage community. Provide workplace and business experiences for youth and adult learners. Increase access to quality and affordable early childhood education, child care and training. Expand strategies for addressing the educational achievement gap for people of color or poverty. Empower youth in the community. Identify and reduce barriers to

52nd Annual

Winter Institute February 12 - 13, 2014

Featuring:

• Keynote Speaker: Raj Chetty • Teacher Workshop & Lunch • Professor Roundtable & Lunch • Q & A and Meet & Greet: Raj Chetty • Economic Outlook Panel • 15th Anniversary Celebration of the St. Cloud Quarterly Business Report • Poolside Reception

Raj Chetty

Registration:

Individual: $50 | Student: $25 Teacher Workshop/Professor Roundtable: $25 (Registration closes 3 pm on 02.07.14)

Business Sponsorship Opportunities: Gold: $400 by 01.01.14 (or $500 after 01.01.14) Silver: $300 by 01.01.14 (or $400 after 01.01.14) For more information and to register, please visit

stcloudstate.edu/winterinstitute

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

FEATURE

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PROFIT

We are being more strategic in supporting efforts that will continue to make our region better, stronger, and healthier.” – MIMI BITZAN

recreation, learning, service, and leadership roles for youth.

•• Invest in regional transportation and infrastructure Support regional air service, including a Chicago connection. Facilitate extension of Northstar rail to St. Cloud. Extend Wobegon and other trail systems to urban core areas and river corridor for recreation and non-motorized transportation. Support expansion of I-94 from Rogers to St. Cloud.

•• Enhance recreational amenities and natural resources Provide expanded access to, activities on, and stewardship of the Mississippi River. Develop a regional community and/or aquatic center.

•• Elevate culture, arts and “sense of place” Connect and enhance downtowns, river and neighborhoods with place-making and public art. Create a sustainable source of funding for the arts.

•• Expand inclusive participation and engagement of people of color in community leadership Facilitate connections for immigrants and refugees with the broader community. Address language barriers that prevent access to health, education, housing and other critical services.

•• Support aging in place Develop strategies to assess and address opportunities and needs for seniors and the aging population.

HARNESSING TECHNOLOGY. UNLEASHING

•• Assist those facing poverty Implement strategies to expand the pool of, and access to, affordable housing, mental

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health, transportation, and other critical services. Develop options for housing, assistance to homeless people and/or those in crisis. Expand access to essential services (like mental health) by addressing language, transportation, out of school activities, and other barriers. Work is already underway on these priorities. For example, the United Way is addressing the “Cradle to Career”priority, aligning with the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation to establish a talent portal. The United Way is also engaging 25 underserved youth in career related experiences; establishing a long range plan for the Partner for Student Success initiative with the St. Cloud School District; and providing educational sessions for child care providers and parents. The Collaborative for a Culturally Diverse Economy, a project fiscally sponsored by the Central Minnesota Sustainability Project, is engaging residents to form and launch an international marketplace with local entrepreneurs. This work addresses two of the new priorities: to “nurture culturally diverse entrepreneurs,” and “facilitate connections for immigrants and refugees with the broader community.” “This community has a lot going for it, the difference is now we are better at recognizing and showcasing what we have to offer. And we are connecting organizations, rather than working in silos. We are being more strategic in supporting efforts that will continue to make our region better, stronger, and healthier,” said Bitzan. “I am excited to see how our work on the 2013 priorities progresses.” BC Melinda Sanders is the director of donor relations at the Central Minnesota Community Foundation.

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Formerly St. Cloud Refrigeration CentRal | metRo diViSion St. Cloud 320-251-6861 MetRo 800-827-1642

RefRigeRation HVaC SeRViCe Building automation food SeRViCe

noRtHeRn diViSion BaxteR 800-273-9071

SoutHeRn diViSion RoCheSteR 877-399-4546 Mankato 800-447-3259

CHECK OUT OUR NEW DIGITAL FORMAT.

www.BusinessCentral Magazine.com J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

SPECIAL FOCUS WELLNESS

HEALTHY BUSINESS

Paying attention to your employees’ health can result in a healthier business for you.

ealthy employees mean a more productive and

happier workplace. Making a firm commitment as an organization to well-being will go a long way with your employees. Here are some tips for helping employees improve and stay healthy at work and in their daily lives.

By Greg Bockrath 1 Map out walking routes near your office and encourage activity over the lunch hour. Getting out of the office for some fresh air can lead to increased productivity. 2 Provide healthy snacks at the workplace. Bring in seasonal items as a treat such as local apples. Stock vending machines with healthy options and have your cafeteria provide health conscious choices.

HEALTH CARE & MEDICAL SERVICES

St. Cloud Hospital Gorecki Guest House

HealthPartners Central Minnesota Clinics

Certif ied Healthcare Constructor

1309 Sixth Ave N, St. Cloud MN 56303 Sally Allen, Gorecki Guest House Manager 320-251-2700, ext.50993 allens@centracare.com centracare.com/gorecki-guest-house/

onveniently located across the street from St. Cloud Hospital, the Gorecki Guest House is a non-profit service that provides affordable, temporary housing in a peaceful, homelike setting for patients and families receiving medical care in the St. Cloud community. Donations help fund our operation and keep our room fees affordable. A donation of any amount will help us continue to offer hospitality to our Central Minnesota neighbors and those traveling long distances to be close to the people they love when they are needed the most. If you are interested in making a donation, please visit centracare.com/foundation. If you are interested in volunteering at the guest house, please contact us at 320-251-2700 ext. 55638 or at volunteer@centracare.com.

Douglas J. Boser (320) 253-5220 • hpcmc.com Your health. Your partner. • Same day appointments • FREE supervised childcare during your medical and dental appointments • All major insurance welcome • E-visits and phone appointments for established patients • Family medicine, pediatrics, OB/Gyn, dental, chiropractic, behavioral health, general and colorectal surgery, pharmacy • Well@Work programs for companies to lower medical costs

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

Boser Construction, Inc. www.boserconstruction.com

ongratulations to Douglas, J. Boser who has brought Boser Construction, Inc. to the next level by attaining Certified Healthcare Constructor status through the American Hospital Association. As the business owner, Doug has created a thriving construction company over the past 16 years that has become an area leader in Commercial, Medical and Institutional construction. His dedication to the medical construction industry is evident through his processes, employee training and continued education in this field.

HEALTH CARE & MEDICAL SERVICES

Center for Diagnostic Imaging 3 Team up with fitness centers to offer group discount rates. Additional incentives may be offered by your health insurance carrier based on number of visits per month.

employee meetings, bulletin boards, and throughout the organization.

4 Hold walking meetings – not all meetings need to be held around a conference table.

6 Set-up work stations for proper ergonomics – avoid stress on backs by adjusting chairs and keyboard levels properly. Include standing work stations as an option.

5 Promote health through company communications. Include health messages in

7 Develop goals that relate to the needs of your workplace and

employees. Set up a team to implement healthy initiatives such as workout Wednesdays, group stretching or walking teams. 8 Offer incentives for reaching goals and tie the incentive to things your employees value. Water bottles, exercise clothing or equipment are great prizes to keep employees in a routine after the challenge is finished. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE.

CentralMNCDI.com Center for Diagnostic Imaging (CDI) offers residents in Central Minnesota the best in medical imaging and pain management services. We have on-site, subspecialized radiologists who provide high-quality reads that lead to more accurate diagnoses, at 30-50% less than hospital costs. Our practice includes MRI, CT, Pain Management, Mammogram, Ultrasound, and X-ray. We have these services at three convenient locations in St. Cloud. Our Patient Advocates are available at

HEALTH CARE & MEDICAL SERVICES

320.229.4646 to answer your questions.

Continue reading to learn more about the variety of Health Care & Medical Services available in Central Minnesota.

Kate saved 40% on her Ct sCan

by choosing CdI.

You have a choice in where you go for medical imaging. Center for Diagnostic Imaging (CDI) provides high-quality health care at prices that are far less than hospital prices. We offer MRI exams, CT scans, injections for pain, X-ray and mammography in a comfortable, convenient, outpatient setting.

Call CDI today to schedule an exam: 320.251.0609 or visit CentralMnCDI.com. st. Cloud | alexandria | Willmar J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

HEALTH CARE & MEDICAL SERVICES

St. Cloud Medical Group Clearwater Medical Clinic

Jasmine Folger-Latterell, M.D. Family Medicine 320-558-2293 www.stcloudmedical.com

asmine Folger-Latterell, M.D., specializes in Family Medicine, OB, and Women’s Health at St. Cloud Medical Group. She received her medical degree from the University of Minnesota and completed her residency at the St. Cloud Hospital. Dr. Folger-Latterell is boardcertified in family medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Minnesota Medical Association. Dr. Folger-Latterell joined St. Cloud Medical Group in 2011 and is accepting new patients at the Clearwater Medical Clinic location.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE.

9 Consider companywide challenges to promote more movement and activity. On-site group exercise classes and weight loss challenges bring employees together to achieve common goals. 1 10 Share messages from executives – communicate a personal health or fitness story and goal. 1 11 Incorporate movement into the daily routine at your organization.

Stretching often keeps muscles loose and flexible. Physical activities during the day assist in decreasing obesity, diabetes and heart disease. 12 Host a ‘Health Day.’ 1 Offer information on workplace health, exercise and healthy eating.

1 13 Meet employees at their level. Programs that allow people to participate at their own pace and time have higher participation

rates. Engaging employees where they’re at is key to success. In order to build a strong foundation, consider who should be supporting your well-being efforts. Find a partner you can work with to create a well-being plan from concept to execution. Many clinics and other health care providers in Central Minnesota are happy to provide this service. BC

About the writer Greg Bockrath is a wellness coach at HealthPartners Central Minnesota Clinics. For additional information on worksite health and well-being, you can reach him at 320-203-2405 or worksitehealth@hpcmc.com

For every stage in a woman’s life. This is why we nurture women’s health Girls, women, mothers, grandmothers—throughout your life, you’ll have medical needs that require personal attention. Our obstetrics staff is prepared to provide you with comforting and friendly care during every visit. From adolescence to child-bearing years to menopause, our OB/GYN doctors are experienced to care for issues with the dignity you deserve.

StCloudMedical.com

South Campus 320-251-8181 Northwest Campus 320-202-8949 South Campus Northwest 320-529-4741 Clearwater Clinic320-240-2170 320-558-2293 Cold Campus Spring Clinic 320-685-8641 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g 1a z i n e 42OBGYN-BusinessCentral.indd

•• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

6/3/13 3:50 PM

HEALTH CARE & MEDICAL SERVICES

St. Cloud Orthopedics

Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, National Health Expenditures Projections 2011-2021.

DID YOU KNOW? Total health care spending in the United States is expected to reach $4.8 trillion in 2021, up from $2.6 trillion in 2010 and $75 billion in 1970. Spending will account for nearly 20 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), or one-fifth of theU.S. economy, by 2021.

TOP HATS

Dr. Andrew Mulder, M.D.

American Heart Association, 4701 W 77th Street, Edina. Pictured: Chris Panek, Tara Lashley and Jayne Greeney Schill.

Advantage Chiropractic, 52 33rd Ave. S, St. Cloud. Pictured: Diane Ohmann, Candice Taylor, Donna Roerick, Dr. Mark Roerick, Amy Brown and Bob Lien.

320-259-4100 www.stcloudorthopedics.com

A Vollara Healthy Living Green Technologies, helping people breathe better air, drink better water and provide a laundry solution that saves time and money, 4802 128th Street NW, Clearwater. Pictured: Tauna Quimby, Tracy Zhykhovich and Jill Magelssen.

Midwest EAP Solutions-Physicians Wellness Services, EAP and work/ life solutions, human resource and management consultation, employee training and development, 1015 Saint Germain Street, Suite 440, St. Cloud. Pictured: Bob Lien, Matt Steinkamp, Jody Bertram, Nicole Brenny, Mitchell Best and Jill Magelssen.

just within

ndrew Mulder, M.D., is one of 18 physicians serving at St. Cloud Orthopedics. Dr. Mulder received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in May of 2007 after completing his residency at the Detroit Medical Center. Dr. Mulder completed his Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Mulder joined St. Cloud Orthopedics in 2013 and specializes in hip and knee replacements.

reach When you’re hurt, we’re here.

Why travel for treatment when you’re in pain? Our orthopedic specialists provide the same care you’ll find in the metro–right here in St. Cloud.

StCloudOrthopedics.com 320.259.4100 Knee & Shoulder • Joint Replacement • Sports Medicine • Hand Center Trauma • Spine Center • Foot & Ankle • Physical & Occupational Therapy SCO Business Central-REACH.indd 1

4/25/13 8:50 AM

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

HEALTH CARE & MEDICAL SERVICES

SPECIAL FOCUS WELLNESS

BY THE NUMBERS

Insuring Employees Health insurance is still out of reach for most small employers. In every state, except Hawaii, fewer than 50 percent of small businesses provide health insurance to employees. The story is much different for larger employers, many of which use health insurance as a benefit to attract the best talent. Firms with fewer than 50 employees 1. Hawaii 78.5% 19. Minnesota 36.1% (Tied with Washington) 25. Wisconsin 33.5% 26. South Dakota 32.9% (Tied with Colorado) 31. North Dakota 32.0% (Tied with Maine) 51. Nebraska 21.7% Firms with 50 employees or more 1. Hawaii 99.5% 6. North Dakota 98.2% 14. Wisconsin 97.1 26. South Dakota 96.0% (Tied with Nevada) 41. Minnesota 94.8% (tied with California) 51. Wyoming 92.5%

Firms with 50 employees or more

Firms with fewer than 50 employees 100%

100%

75%

50%

25%

Hawaii

Minnesota Wisconsin

South Dakota

North Dakota

Nebraska

Hawaii

Minnesota Wisconsin

South Dakota

North Dakota

Nebraska

Midsota Plastic Surgeons

Dr. Marc A. Sarcia 320.253.7257 •• info@midsota www.midsota.com

~ Since 1983 ~

imagine the possibilities Specializing in: • • • • • •

Breast Augmentation Breast Lift Breast Reconstruction Breast Reduction Tummy Tuck Liposuction

• • • • • •

Nasal Surgery Facelift Eyelid Surgery Laser Treatments Browlift Thigh Lift

• • • • • •

Varicose Veins Spider Veins Hand Surgery BOTOX® Cosmetic JUVÉDERM® RADIESSE® dermal filler

Check out our website to learn about upcoming events, special offers and our wide range of services. www.midsota.com

320.253.7257

Toll Free: 1.888.MIDSOTA

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

Midsota Plastic Surgeons Welcomes Dr. Marc A. Sarcia Dr. Marc Sarcia is a board eligible plastic surgeon with fellowship training in Oculoplastic and Aesthetic surgery. He has a special interest in reconstruction of the eyelids as well as aesthetic surgery of the face and breasts. Dr. Sarcia has also received extensive training in implant based breast reconstruction techniques and takes great pride in helping his patients to achieve their reconstructive and aesthetic goals. When he is not caring for his patients, Dr. Sarcia enjoys spending time with his wife sampling new cuisine and shares a love for motorsport and auto restoration with his brother.

HEALTH CARE & MEDICAL SERVICES

St. Benedict’s Senior Community

EVERY DAY. EVERY WAY. We’ve got you covered.

Inpatient/Outpatient | Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy | Speech-Language Pathology

Benedict Village and Benedict Court (320) 203-2747 • centracare.com SBSCInformationRegistry@centracare.com Put down your shovel and pick up your social life with outings, happy hours, shopping trips and musical entertainment. Let the staff at Benedict Village and Benedict Court take care of the cooking, cleaning and shoveling! Personal care delivered to your individual apartment is among one of the many community highlights. We invite you and your loved ones to come in for a complimentary lunch, take a tour, meet our friendly staff and see what makes our campus a wonderful place to call home. Every day. Every way. We’ve got you covered!

The Vein Center

Jody Bolton Smith, M.D. Imaging Specialist; Member of the American College of Phlebology 320-257-VEIN (8346) www.beautifulresults.com

r. Jody Bolton Smith from The Vein Center, along with her colleagues Dr. Rochelle Wolfe, Dr. Danielle Leighton, and Dr. Chadd McMahon are interventional radiologists with Regional Diagnostic Radiology specializing in imaging and minimally invasive procedures. Along with their physician assistant Terri Wolfe, they treat your veins using proven laser technology. These non-surgical procedures are quick, safe, effective and require no down time. Trust the experts in vascular and vein treatments. Goodbye veins...hello confidence.

Call today for a complimentary, no obligation consultation.

Our rehabilitation programs restore hope. Our care team will help you reach goals and regain skills. We offer comprehensive health services for individuals with complex medical problems or rehabilitation needs who no longer require hospitalization or acute care.

YOUR BRIDGE Between Hospital & Home St. Cloud’s Leader in Short Stay Care! Care Center 320-654-2355

centracare.com

No Varicose Veins. No Surgery. No Down Time.

“The best thing about the whole procedure was that I didn’t have to take any time off work.”

Physicians with The Vein Center and Regional Diagnostic Radiology: Dr. Jody Bolton Smith Dr. Danielle Leighton Dr. Rochelle Wolfe Dr. Chadd McMahon Terri Wolfe, PA-C

MICHELE

Call The Vein Center today for a complimentary varicose or spider vein consultation.

320-257-VEIN (8346) 1990 connecticut ave s sartell, mn 56377

www.beautifulresults.com

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

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PROFIT

AT A GLANCE

Jay Netter, Netter’s Welding, with the letters that will ultimately be welded to the new ATS sign.

JOB SHOP Business Central: Why do you think your shop was successful on the second try and not the first? Netter: I ran the welding shop at Blattner’s. I think it gave me more confidence. I met with vendors and developed more contacts. I was older and more experienced. BC: Do you have plans to grow your business? Netter: No. I pace our workload for the two of us. I make a living and I enjoy the work. I have no desire to supervise people. I did that at Blattner – it’s lots of work. I have enough to do running my shop – I’m the supervisor, salesman, accountant, bill collector, and I do the work. That’s enough. BC: Where does your business come from? Netter: Word of mouth – that’s a lot of it. I’ve done work for Shingobee Builders. They were doing work with Xcel and

Above: This sign for ATS (Anderson Trucking Service) is three dimensional and multi-colored. It was up to Jay Netter to figure out how to weld it to match the designer’s vision.

Jay Netter is happiest when he’s helping customers solve a challenge. By Gail Ivers

passed along my name. That was eight years ago and we do lots of little projects for Xcel every year. We’ve built specialty carts to carry valves. We created parts that went into the nuclear power plant during the refueling shut down. We worked with Shingobee on the Culver’s Restaurant on the east side. Another restaurant developer liked what they saw at Culver’s, asked who did the work and they referred me. I’ve been working with that contractor ever since.

surprised how much work comes out of a place like that.

BC: What kinds of things do you make? Netter: Name it. We do residential railings. We built the wedges in front of the new bank in Cold Spring. We provide structural steel on some small buildings. We do the stainless steel in restaurant kitchens. We do little projects for the Rocori school district. We did gates to the new high school. You’d be

BC: What do you like best about your work? Netter. We do so many different things. I like meeting and working with the people. I get a lot of satisfaction out of doing a hard project –like the ATS signs we’re doing right now. It’s three dimensional and multi-color. The designer told us what they wanted and we had to figure out how to make it happen. BC

Business Central Magazine •• JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

BC: What’s been your biggest challenge? Netter: I’ve learned to deal with whatever comes up. Making sure you get paid. If someone owes me money I’m not afraid to go ask for it. I run pretty much zero loss. You have to research and be careful who you do business with. Pick your customers – that’s real important. I’ve turned work down. I check people out and that has been valuable for me.

Netter’s Welding & Fabrication 20154 Morningstar Rd Avon, MN 56310 Phone: (320) 251-9187 Fax: (320) 845-7629 www.netters welding.com Owner: Jay Netter, 55 Number of employees: 2, including Netter Opened: 1992 Business Description: Custom design, on-site welding service, in-shop welding fabrication and repair; aluminum, stainless, and steel fabrication. Chamber member since 2002

TIMELINE 1978 Netter attends St. Cloud Technical and Community College for industrial welding. 1980 Netter opens a small welding shop in Avon behind Avon Auto Repair, while working at Hardrives full time. 1985 Netter accepts a job at Blattner Energy in the welding shop repairing heavy equipment and doing fabrication. He closes his shop in Avon. 1992 Netter leaves Blattner Energy to open Netter’s Welding. 1998 Netter Welding moves to its current location on Morningstar Road. 1999 Netter adds a full time employee.

10532

7.5x10 4C

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1-800-35-WELLS wellsfargo.com/biz *Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) government data — 2002-2012. All credit decisions subject to approval. © 2013 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. (1139679_10532)