Fairmont

From Martin County Economic Development: Fairmont recently welcomed the first dermatology clinic in southwest Minnesota with the opening of Southern Minnesota Skin Solutions. Local dermatologist McKenzie Terfehr will provide services in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa through the new clinic.

Restaurateurs Steve and Tina Jette are seeking to sell Bean Town Grill, a popular upscale restaurant in Fairmont. The Jettes, in collaboration with the Martin County EDA and local marketing firm, AD MFG, have launched a digital marketing campaign targeting potential buyers from near and afar.

Mankato

ARTBoards, a new Twin Rivers initiative will use commercial billboard space as ‘artist canvas’ for the art images created by local artists to reflect something meaningful to them about Greater Mankato. ARTBoards was made possible this year by the generous support from Mankato law firm Knutson+Casey. This year’s ARTBoards include five originals, including a unique creation of graffiti for Knutson+Casey, that will be displayed on billboards in the Mankato area for all to enjoy throughout 2023.

Adam Knewtson, Realtor and Accredited Land Consultant has joined Full Sail Commercial Real Estate Full Sail CRE is part of KW Commercial Midwest, a division of Keller Williams Commercial Midwest.

VINE Faith in Action received a $7,500 grant from the Mankato Clinic Foundation to expand Health and Wellness Programming at the VINE Adult Community Center. Although VINE already receives some funding for its caregiver support services, not all counseling is covered. The Mankato Clinic Foundation grant will also help cover those unfunded instances of caregiver counseling.

American Bankers Association has selected David Krause, CEO of Pioneer Bank, to serve on ABA’s Community Bankers Council. Krause attended the ABA Community Bankers Council meeting in Washington in November. ABA’s Community Bankers Council, which meets twice a year, is made up of approximately 100 bankers from across the country from institutions with generally less than $5 billion in assets. Members are appointed by the ABA chair. Knutson Construction is excited to announce that Mankato resident, Collin Bennett was named to the Finance and Commerce Rising Young Professionals 2022 Class. Bennett is a Knutson Construction project manager and started at Knutson in 2015 as an intern while attending Minnesota State University-Mankato’s construction management program. Nominees must have 8 years or less in their business industry and are judged on demonstrated leadership, contributions to their community and successfully achieving positive outcomes early in their careers. Bennett, along with another Knutson Construction employee, virtual design and construction manager Aalayha Robb, were honored at a December event in Minneapolis.

The Mankato Area Foundation recently released “Philanthropy Review 2022” that reports the Foundation disbursed 626 grants totaling $2,449,479 to nonprofit organizations. Grants included $337,000 to the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, $159,062 to Greater Mankato Area United Way, $90,050 to Minnesota State University, Mankato Foundation and $62,175 to Camp Patterson. Grant totals are up from the $2,025,327 distributed in fiscal year 2021. Children and youth, education and scholarships, and community benefit continue to be the largest focus areas for grants.

New Ulm

The New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes these new Chamber members: Black Frost Distilling, Heartland Tire, Inspire Weddings + Events, New Ulm Financial Services, 3 Saints Contracting , Kibble Equipment , IMPACT to Influence, and Principle Skills Relationship Center . The Chamber is introducing a new leadership series, from January through April called Lead with IMPACT. The Tourism Person of the Year will be recognized at the annual meeting, and the 2023 Business of the Year recipients will be voted on at the annual meeting on January 26.

North Mankato

Brunton Architects & Engineers in North Mankato and Hopkins is celebrating 15 years in business. With their wealth of experience, they serve multiple markets such as healthcare, financial, retail, and tribal, and they are nationally recognized for their fire station designs. President and CEO, Corey Brunton attributes their success to many things — most importantly nurturing a culture of service based on trust, and creating extraordinary, meaningful designs.

From the City of North Mankato: Construction at the Lor Ray Center, which will house a future Starbucks and Chipotle is expected to be complete in the spring of 2023. The City is excited to welcome Plaza Jalisco Mexican Grill to North Mankato. The facility updates at Caswell Park are wrapping up before the start of the 2023 season. North Mankato Swim Facility pass prices will increase on February 1. Take advantage of the early bird prices before they’re gone. Upcoming City of North Mankato events include: Adult Spelling Bee – Friday, January 27 at the Mankato Brewery; the Anthony Ford Pond Hockey Tournament on January 28 and 29 at Spring Lake Park; Love Your Firefighters Raffle at various North Mankato businesses the month of February, and the Edible Book Festival on Saturday, February 25 at the North Mankato Taylor Library.

Redwood Falls

From the Redwood Falls Chamber of Commerce : Overjoyed , an occasional store with old finds and new designs, Prairie Hemp Products’ new storefront, and the newest eatery, Rubi’s Kitchen Farm to Table restaurant recently opened in downtown Redwood Falls. Dredging of

Lake Redwood is now complete. Redwood Falls is honored to be a future home to one of four State Veterans Cemeteries in Minnesota. Good progress continues on the construction of the State Veterans Cemetery, which is due for completion in the Summer of 2023.

St. James

From the City of St. James: Recently welcomed was Variedades Mi Guate, Arcane Crafts, Building Resilience Counseling, LLC and Regenerative Health Clinic to the St. James business community. Smithfield Foods recently expanded by adding three production lines and a parking lot. The St. James Veterinary Clinic has relocated to 211 First Ave S, made a large investment towards building redevelopment in this move, and plans to expand their service to both small and large animals. Central Farm Service (CFS) has started construction on a new 350,000-ton feed mill in St. James, which is scheduled for completion in 2023. Sharpline has space available for start-up businesses at a very reasonable rental charge. The St. James College and Career Showcase will be held on Tuesday, February 28 at the St. James High School. Businesses, higher education, and community partners will “showcase” their educational and career opportunities to our local students.

Sleepy Eye

The Sleepy Eye EDA , along with the Sleepy Eye Downtown Revitalization

Committee, recently received two $10,000 grants for work on four blocks of the downtown business district. The first grant was awarded from Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation through their Small Town Grant Program; the second grant awarded was from the Blandin Foundation through their Rural Leadership Boost Grant. The grant money from SMIF has been used for the Downtown Walking Tour brochure costs on building history and pictures information, online advertising costs, and benches placed along the tour route. The Blandin award will be used for developing another pocket park in the alley next to Veteran’s Park, building murals, flowers and flower rails, and the development of a metal work sculpture contest.

Waseca

Keen Bank recently made a $5,000 donation to the Waseca Area Food Shelf to help fund their building addition for their local food shelf. Grand Opening was held at the Food Shelf on December 8.

Winnebago

From the City of Winnebago : OPS Clinic recently opened on Main Street in Winnebago. OPS is a “fee for services medical clinic” offering a wide variety of services including several lab tests and physicals/screenings, DOT physicals and multiple laboratory services. OPS also provides customizable family and business health plans.