Tina Gaffer of Inspire Health & Wellness.
The Drager Farm families launched The Meatery last April and are finding a growing list of partners delivering high quality meats to customers.
February 2023 • Volume 15, Issue 5
10
When the St. Peter Food Co-op began in 1979 the idea of healthy eating was a novelty. Now they and other wellness businesses are the mainstream.
16
Olivia Hageman recently opened the doors to her new Menari Body Works location at 121 E. Cherry St., Mankato, with more space and services.
Some of Mankato Magazine’s Best Of businesses are featured including La Terraza Mexican Grill, Sadakka’s Deli and mechanic Nick Zuehlke.
MAGAZINE EDITOR Tim Krohn
DESIGNER Christina Sankey
COPY EDITOR Kathy Vos
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tim Krohn
Kent Thiesse
Harvey Mackay
Jane Turpin Moore
Dana Melius
PHOTOGRAPHER Pat Christman
COVER PHOTO Pat Christman
ADVERTISING Sales
It’s hard to find a dark cloud on the horizon when it comes to the region’s connections to the five universities in the area.
Danny Creel
Jennifer Flowers
Jordan Greer-Friesz
Josh Zimmerman
Theresa Haefner
Tim Keech
Barb Wass ADVERTISING
ADVERTISING ASSISTANT
The biggest of those, Minnesota State University with 14,546 students, may be poised for investments from the Legislature this year as it figures out how to distribute parts of a $17.6 billion surplus. The state university system is making its biggest ask ever with a request for an additional $350 million over the next two years, a near 10% increase.
classes to count for college credit. Pelowski said he will introduce bills to freeze tuition. That would be a good start. And while that may allow college students a chance to whittle down that debt or at least not take on more, it also might put a little more money in their pocket to spend locally.
The rest of the Minnesota State request calls for $100 million for labs and equipment directly tied to workforce labor needs. Another $125 million will go toward inflationary costs.
PUBLISHER Steve Jameson
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Joe Spear
Part of that request puts $75 million for freezing tuition for two years, another request that is not typical. Students in Minnesota carry an average of about $31,000 in debt, about 80% of the starting salary of public school teachers.
Minnesota State leaders have made clear they’re “going all in” as Board of Trustees member and former legislator Roger Moe has described it. And with Democrats taking over all three branches of policy decision-making, there may be more of a chance for success. Democrats tend to favor more spending for things like higher education.
But this is not a slam dunk. The system itself has said it will have accountability measures that justify the increased spending with a heavy emphasis on workforce training. The system has been developing a track record for that with examples like South Central College’s mechatronics program and more short term training like certified nursing assistants who are being deployed around that state after a few months of training.
Democrat Rep. Gene Pelowski, of Winona, a longtime veteran of higher education policy and the chair of the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee, told the Star Tribune he favors “relinking” high school programs to colleges, allowing high school
But there’s a demand side to the funding equation as well. Enrollment system wide was down 3.8% last year, though Minnesota State in Mankato has kept enrollment stable to slightly down, better than the systemwide average.
But the local university also has seen a tremendous jump in international students, especially in a rebound after the pandemic. The university was recently ranked ninth in the country for its 1,751 population of international students enrolled in the fall of 2021.
Earlier this year, MSU said 2022 enrollment could be as high as 4,000. Increases in international students have been phenomenal. The Open Door Report that ranked the students said they and their families contributed $41 million to the local economy and supported 191 jobs.
Without additional general fund money the university system said it will have to reduce the number of offerings and services to students. That’s budget reality in face of enrollment declines.
But with the winds favoring more funding for the system and MSU, the outlook appears favorable for investments in one of Mankato’s biggest assets.
Joe Spear is executive editor of Minnesota Valley Business. Contact him at jspear@mankatofreepress.com or 344-6382. Follow on Twitter @jfspear.
Knutson’s Bennett honored Collin Bennett, of Knutson Construction, has been honored as a 2022 Rising Young Professional by Finance & Commerce.
All honorees 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.
A project manager who helped oversee construction of Mankato’s Eide Bailly Center, Bennett started at Knutson in 2015 as an intern while attending Minnesota State University’s construction management program.
He remains involved with Minnesota State Mankato’s Construction Management Student Association by hosting students for safety visits and job site tours in addition to being a regular presenter in the classroom.
Bennett is active in the Architecture, Construction, Engineering Mentor Program which takes professionals from the field and brings them into the classroom to educate students about careers in the industry.
Knutson employee Aalayha Robb was also honored as a Rising Young Professional. ■ ■ ■
Three join True
agents.
True is a Mankato native and a graduate of Mankato West High. His experience with properties began with years of work in the landscaping, roofing, and carpentry fields.
Grems was born and raised in Faribault. She decided to make Mankato her permanent home after graduating with a degree in Marketing and Management from Minnesota State University.
Timp-Sevak is licensed in Florida and Minnesota. She recently moved back to Mankato to be closer to her family after spending a few years in Southwest Florida. ■ ■ ■
Wenner joins Pioneer Bank
Pioneer Bank has added Bruce Wenner as an Ag Banker at its St. Peter location.
In addition to agriculture expertise, Wenner has 22 years of service in the St. Peter Fire Department. He is a graduate of Connecting Nicollet County leadership program, a past member of the St. Peter Ambassadors and a board member of Shoreland Country Club.
Wenner will succeed bank Vice President Gary Miller who is transitioning to retirement in 2023. Miller has 30 years at the bank and will continue on a part-time basis.
Let’s talk about your next one. Success happens one step at a time.
At Bremer Bank, we know the true value of a banking relationship isn’t measured in dollars and cents. It’s measured in trust, earned by helping you anticipate, grow and thrive through changes. It’s not always possible to know what the future holds. But we’ll be ready to help you make the most of it. Because right now, relationships matter more than ever. Talk to a Bremer banker today.
One day a wise monk was walking through a village. A very angry and rude young man came up and began insulting him, hurling all kinds of cruel words at him, intended to ridicule and demean him. The monk continued his walk, paying no attention to the insults, and the young man grew enraged at being ignored.
“Why don’t you say something?” he demanded. “How can you keep walking as if I were silent?”
The monk stopped and asked the young man, “Tell me, if you buy a gift for someone, and that person does not take it, to whom does the gift belong?”
The young man was surprised that the monk was now addressing him. “It would belong to me, because I brought the gift,” he said.
The monk smiled. “That is correct. And it is the same with your anger. If you become angry with me and I do not get insulted, then the anger falls back on you. You are then the only one who becomes unhappy, not me. All you have done is hurt yourself.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “For every minute you remain angry, you give up 60 seconds of peace of mind.”
An angry person is seldom reasonable; a reasonable person is seldom angry.
We all feel angry at times. It’s a normal emotion when we feel frustrated, attacked or unfairly treated. Feeling anger can help people identify problems or things affecting them, as well as motivate people to create change, achieve goals and just stay safe.
The problem with anger comes from how people deal with it. Anger in business situations is especially tricky. As damaging as an angry response can be, family and friends tend to be more forgiving. In business dealings, it often spells the end of the relationship.
The natural way to express anger is to respond aggressively and defend yourself when attacked, even becoming verbally abusive towards others or physically threatening. Others prefer to sulk and ignore people or refuse to do work or do a poor job. Then there are those who internalize anger and start hating themselves and cut themselves out from the world.
Wikipedia defines anger as: “wrath or rage, an intense emotional state involving a strong uncomfortable and non-cooperative response to a
perceived provocation, hurt or threat.”
Some view anger as an emotion that triggers part of the fight or flight response. Anger becomes the predominant feeling behaviorally, cognitively and physiologically when a person opts to take action to immediately stop a threat.
The American Psychological Association lists three main approaches to dealing with anger: expressing, suppressing and calming. It states that “expressing your angry feelings in an assertive – not aggressive –manner is the healthiest way to express anger. Being assertive doesn’t mean being pushy or demanding; it means being respectful of yourself and others.”
They describe suppressing anger as holding it in or not thinking about it or focusing on something positive. The problem with this approach is that anger can turn inward and cause hypertension, high blood pressure or depression.
The third way is to calm yourself, control your outward behavior and let your feelings subside. I have always found that the greatest remedy for anger is delay, which is why U.S. President Thomas Jefferson said, “When angry, count to 10 before you speak. If very angry, count to 100.”
Other ways to manage anger include getting enough sleep, because sleep deprivation makes it harder to control angry impulses. Take deep breaths, go for a walk or other exercise. Distance yourself while you think about how to solve or improve the situation.
A young lion and a cougar, both thirsty, arrived at their usual water hole at the same time. They immediately began to argue about who should satisfy their thirst first. The argument became heated, and each decided he would rather die than give up the privilege of being the first to quench his thirst. As they stubbornly confronted each other, their emotions turned to rage. Their cruel attacks on each other were suddenly interrupted. They both looked up. Circling overhead was a flock of vultures waiting for the loser to fall. Quietly, the two beasts turned and walked away. The thought of being devoured was all they needed to end their quarrel.
Don’t let your anger devour you. Instead, take the bite out of your anger. MV
Harvey Mackay is a Minnesota businessman, author and syndicated columnist. He has authored seven New York Times bestselling books
Mackay’s Moral: It is better to choose what you say than say what you choose.
Jay Schweim has a lot to look forward to in 2023. He has a job he loves and the security of knowing his MRCI Employment Specialist Hannah Bo Dean has his back.
“I enjoy working with Hannah because I like having someone check in with me to see how I am progressing,” says Jay.
Jay has been working at The Occasions Group in North Mankato since July 2021. A job he is thankful MRCI helped him prepare for, as it allows him to earn a paycheck and feel good about the way he spends his days.
“I love the pay and the hours which makes it enjoyable to go to work every day,” says Jay. “I work with great coworkers and my supervisor makes me feel welcome. I also like that I get the opportunity to learn new jobs and help out in a lot of different ways.” His coworkers ask him for help when they are having trouble. They trust Jay knows what he is doing.
As he enters a new year, Jay reflects back on 2022 and top of his list for gratitude goes to MRCI. MRCI, in turn, is thankful for employment partners like The Occasions Group. Employers that give those MRCI serves a chance and allows the organization to fulfill its mission of providing innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with disabilities at home, at work and in the community.
MRCI offers a variety of person-centered programs to assist individuals in finding and keeping a job in their community. At the core of these services is the desire to provide individualized services that meet the specific needs and wishes of the individual. Rather than move people through “programs” we build a plan for each person and provide an array of specific service options.
MRCI provides genuine opportunities for people with disabilities and disadvantages at home, at work and in the community. To become an employment partner, or for more information, please call 507-386-5600.
Workplace injuries take a toll on employees – their health, families and livelihood. Workplace injuries are also costly for business and industry. In 2020, 99 million days were lost due to workrelated injuries at a cost of $163.9 billion according to the National Safety Council.
Most injuries are preventable. That’s why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, better known as OSHA, recommends that all businesses, small and large, implement a safety and health program. OSHA says to start small with a basic program and grow from there.
Where to begin? Let’s look at ways to prevent the most common workplace injuries compiled by the National Safety Council.
1. Exposure to harmful substances or environments: This cause rose to the top in 2020 due to COVID-19 with an average of 13 days lost. The good news is encouraging or providing vaccination against COVID-19 along with annual influenza vaccines can help keep employees healthy and prevent severe illness.
2. Overexertion, bodily reaction: These injuries are typically due to lifting, pushing, turning, holding, carrying or throwing. This category also includes repetitive motion strains due to years spent working on production lines and keyboards. Transportation and warehousing employees are most at risk for these injuries.
A variety of measures can help address and prevent these injuries. Many companies offer proper lifting training. Next, worksite evaluations can help make the work station more ergonomic and efficient. For instance, carpal tunnel syndrome may be prevented by keeping the wrist in a straight, neutral position. This can mean lowering keyboards and work stations or raising chairs in some cases. Other tips are using a softer touch, taking breaks and stretches.
Your employees know their work stations best. Look to them for their expertise.
3. Slips, trips and falls: These injuries include slipping and falling on the same level as well as when we catch ourselves without falling. There are also falls to a lower level such as from scaffolding or ladders or jumping to a lower level. Transportation, warehousing and agriculture employees are most at risk for these injuries.
In Minnesota, slips, trips and falls can also occur in icy and snowy parking lots, walkways and slippery indoor entryways. Staying on top of these conditions can help along with signs when floors are wet or slippery.
Encourage everyone to keep an eye out for tripping hazards and fix them – cords, bumps in carpeting, rugs that can trip people up and uneven flooring and thresholds. Remember
By James Dungan MD Mankato Clinic Occupational Medicine
poor lighting can also play a role.
4. Contact with objects and equipment: These injuries can happen in manufacturing, printing and agriculture. They often occur when a worker’s body is pulled into moving equipment and can be very serious. Preventing these incidents may require specific training, proper use of safety guards and close attention to protocols.
Mankato Clinic Occupational Medicine can support your company’s safety and health program by helping to manage risk factors, keeping employees healthy and getting employees back to work quickly and safely after an injury. Visit mankatoclinic.com/specialties/ occupational-medicine to learn more.
The growth of healthy lifestyle businesses continues to expand. It includes areas such as traditional and complementary medicine, physical activities and newer venues such as “wellness real estate,” which are residential developments that incorporate intentional wellness elements in their designs, amenities and services.
movement fueled by small independent businesses to the largest retail corporation in the world.
The global “wellness economy” — pegged at well over $4.5 trillion — is dominated by two sectors. Personal care and beauty leads the way at nearly $1 trillion, followed closely by healthy eating, nutrition and weight loss.
Before healthy eating was a thing, a small group started the St. Peter Food Co-op. While they were an oddity at the time, they are now part of a mainstream
“I think people are a lot more aware of all the choices they have in food,” said Erik Larson, co-op general manager. “When the co-op was started in 1979, you couldn’t find a loaf of whole-wheat bread. Members wanted access to healthy food. It’s evolved a lot since.”
Tina Gaffer has made a business combining wellness services, including catering and making healthy takeand-bake dishes, life coaching and weight-loss programs.
She opened Inspire Health and Wellness in downtown Mankato a few years ago, but due to the pandemic shifted to a home-based model.
“I do diet, wellness and lifestyle coaching. I have a degree in that.”
Gaffer also has hard-won personal experience. “I lost over 110 pounds myself 12 years ago. I did a diet plan and learned the ideal way to lose weight. And I learned how you gain weight and lose weight and how to balance things out.”
Larson has worked at the St. Peter Food Co-op for 27 years and has been GM for three years. In 2011 the co-op got a dramatic upgrade, moving from a small space near Jake’s Pizza in St. Peter to a large new building on the main drag of the city.
Larson admits the focus for many of the early years of the coop “was to convince people we’re not the weird store.”
He said what the co-op does — in its grocery options and large prepared food department — is now mainstream.
Larson said the public is now well aware of the message the coop has always spread.
“Clean living is good tasting. It’s not all sprouts and granola, but it’s all nice and clean and always made from scratch.”
The organic/healthy eating trend is so universal that the coop isn’t alone in what they do.
“To be honest, we don’t have products you can’t get anywhere else,” Larson said. “But we work directly with a lot of local producers. So being a small independent business, we get to determine the products we get, as with the big chains you don’t know who or how they’re procuring it.”
The co-op’s 3,500 active members drive what is available.
“We have some formal feedback from members, but really it’s just our staff out in the aisles. The owners of our business are the people in the aisles and it’s just ears to the ground.
“And we’re all into cooking and we’re all reading the same things everyone else is and we feel a responsibility to respond. At our weekly meetings, we’re talking food a lot.”
He said tastes and demands change. Green bowls were hot and then kale became the star of
the show in recent years. “We used to be lucky to sell a few bunches of kale and then everyone wanted it. People’s wants and tastes change.”
Larson said the bulk items, which were the mainstay of the store many years ago, have dropped off somewhat.
Prepared foods now dominate sales, accounting for about 35% of the co-op’s sales.
Larson said that when giant retailers such as Walmart began offering organic produce, some people had a negative reaction because of the corporate image. But Larson said it’s really a sign that groups like the co-op achieved their goals.
“That’s what we were pushing for, to have it be mainstream.”
Gaffer said that while the pandemic almost put her out of business, in the end it turned out to be a good thing for her.
She shut down her commercial kitchen in Mankato and transferred the business to her home in Pemberton, outfitting a large commercial trailer to do food preparations and then going through a series of permits and inspections by various agencies.
“It lets me do more than I could before.”
She is booked every weekend throughout the summer, bringing her healthy food trailer to locations around southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.
And not leasing space has allowed her to hold down her costs and prices.
Gaffer said grab-and-go premade healthy meals are a big part of her business. “I have familysize meals that are all ready to just bake. I make it as it’s ordered.” She delivers in the area or people pick it up from her.
She also makes lean and green meals that are single serve. “People just microwave it. People like those for their lunches and supper.”
Gaffer is a certified life coach, dietitian and provides emotional support for people she works with on losing weight.
“Some need that emotional help. They might have some food trauma or they want to work on the emotional support part so they can keep the weight off.”
She sees people at her office and does a lot of Zoom counseling.
She also has a Fit 3D scanner. People stand on the scanner and a variety of data, including muscle mass, weight and body measurements are taken. “So it tracks your progress as you go.” MV
Photos courtesy of The Meatery.
Driven by a “meat and potatoes” mission statement, two multigenerational Minnesota Lake farm families head into their second year with a growing set of partners dedicated to delivering quality meats.
This novel farm-to-table idea by the Drager Farm families was years in the making. But the COVID pandemic and supply side issues due to the meat-packing industry lockdowns prompted a robust launch of The Meatery in April 2022, says co-founder Colette Drager.
“We’re very much a collaboration of all our talents,” Colette says. “We’re family. Everybody is related to me somehow.”
The heart and soul of that collaboration
comes from the Bill and Colette Drager and Bruce and Jodie Drager families. Twelve members contribute to The Meatery mission, and “it takes a while to develop a team,” Colette says.
While Colette is the lone full-time employee and president of the corporation, which is Mankato-based, The Meatery counts on that large group of family members to serve as brainstormers, food testers and social media influencers. The corporation then relies on a partnership of 12 meat markets and family farms, coupled with an impressive website and online ordering system, to get quality products to consumers.
Molly Byron of Waseca, Colette’s niece, is
one of those family talents.
“My role has had a lot to do with social media,” says Molly, one of the entrepreneurial spirits in the family. She also considers herself a “rural organizer,” which comes in handy while developing key partnerships with meat markets and farm operations.
Molly’s younger sister, Hannah, is the mastermind behind much of The Meatery’s website and social media presence.
“She’s the writer, the gifted one,” Molly says. Consider the corporation’s “Meat and Potatoes” mission, as designed for The Meatery website:
Revolutionary
“We unapologetically challenge established norms around how to source and consume food.”
“We test, create, and share fresh ideas with our community of Meathusiasts and encourage them to stay curious.”
“We promote consumers with direct access to quality meat sources, methods to explore it, and ways to enjoy it.”
Colette says the first few months have been a whirlwind of meetings and press coverage, including an early November noon session with Minnesota Public Radio. In that MPR interview, she expanded on The Meatery concept.“We developed an e-commerce site where it’s a showcase of farmers and small meat markets across the state,” Colette explained. “And so it’s what those partners provide. I mean, they’re all just top producers that we’ve selected that offer foods such as beef, pork, chicken, and lamb.
“And then we bundle them together to make great products and to ship to everyone’s store. And then what we do is with each of those bundles, we try to develop that community to show people that these are certain quality meats, but here are some recipes, there’s some things that you can do to help make good memories with families and friends.”
Wiste’s Meat Market, the popular butcher shop based in Janesville and Waterville, is The Meatery’s newest business partner. Colette says she expects a heavy dose of social media presence with them early in 2023.
“We haven’t been a year yet so I think you’re going to see more and more social media,” Colette says. “It’ll be a lot of sharing.”
It’s a diverse bunch of meat markets and family farms which partners with The Meatery and its marketing efforts. Take Back Street Country Market in rural Gibbon, which includes its farm site, a catering business and food truck.
“Their meat quality is extraordinary,” Colette says.
Molly notes that while the partners are “the direct sellers,” the packaging itself illustrates the team work involved.
“The box has The Meatery logo on it. Then every partner puts in a personalized note,” Molly says.
The Meatery’s list of partners also includes Morgan’s
Meat Market and Fischer Family Farms, both in Waseca. But The Meatery’s online customer base has expanded to 20 states, says Colette. But that doesn’t mean the corporation will grow exponentially, she adds.
“Our whole approach is about balance,” Colette says. And with that approach comes two generations of brainstorming and philosophies.
Part of what surfaced from those discussions was designing an eco-friendly packing product and a focus on convenience, she stressed. The team also puts a priority on community, as small town businesses need to work together to strengthen Main Street, including regional restaurants.
“We can provide some consistency (of products) for these restaurants,” Colette says. “We’re trying to tell people about these local businesses.”
Colette adds: “It’s a changing world. And there’s two generations that work in our business. So the more you get out there, you really start to get a more comprehensive view of what’s possible.” MV
Owner/therapist
Olivia Hageman opened Menari Body Works in its new location on Cherry Street in Mankato in December.
Count on Menari Body Works to leave you feeling soothed, relaxed and, at least temporarily, stressfree.
“Menari means ‘to dance’ in Indonesian,” said owner/therapist Olivia Hageman, who opened the doors in December to Menari’s new 3,700 square-foot location at 121 E. Cherry St., Mankato.
“We are southern
Minnesota’s premier holistic day spa— and what’s unique about Menari is that while we have the luxury, the softest tables and sheets, the lush greenery and beautiful decor, we aren’t just a pretty face: We provide really effective treatments and customize each session to your specific needs and goals.”
The enterprising and articulate Menari
proprietress has logged 15 years as a certified massage therapist, the last nine in the greater Mankato area. She and the entire Menari staff have attracted an admiring and evergrowing clientele, including Mary Wichtendahl of rural Rapidan.
“I used to look at massage as a luxury, but as I’ve gotten older and have some neck and back problems, I’ve come to see massage as a necessity to help maintain my health,” said Wichtendahl, a licensed social worker and caregiver coach at VINE Faith in Action.
Wichtendahl has sought out Hageman’s services in recent years and has high praise for the visits she books twice each month.
“It’s an investment in my health—and Olivia has been awesome,” said Wichtendahl. “Olivia really wants her clients to have a great experience, recommends a lot of things, gets to know what you like in terms of scents and music and is very thorough.”
Menari employees agree that Hageman has created a setting that is therapeutic not only for clients but also for staff.
“It’s extremely calming and the smell is amazing,” said Tammy Altenburg, a part-time receptionist at Menari.
“The Menari ambience is so relaxing—I never feel stressedout here—and Olivia is wonderful to work for, so flexible and easy-going. She cares about her staff and clients,” Altenburg continued.
“And our new building is beautiful.”
That’s no accident.
Hageman, 42, resided in the California Bay Area before moving to Mankato with her husband Craig, a native Minnesotan, several years ago. The second daughter of parents who are high-level business executives with international companies, Hageman lived overseas from age 8 to 21.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in visual arts at the University of Australia and spent
five years doing mixed media art work in California before discovering her true passion in health and wellness.
So when Hageman says “I want everything at Menari to look like Bali—calm, relaxing and filled with plants—because Bali is the coolest place in the world,” she knows whereof she speaks.
“There’s no other place like Menari in this part of the state,” said Hageman.
“We need to transport people somewhere, and they need to be able to build their own experience with music, essential oils and the style of massage they choose.”
Menari Body Works staff are trained in several different massage types: traditional style Lomilomi, Thai yoga bodywork, Caribbean style bodywork, Swedish/deep tissue massage, lymphatic massage, and preand post-natal massage.
Previously located in North Mankato’s Belgrade Avenue business district, Menari’s square footage has doubled with its relocation to the Cherry Street address, which was last host to the Kato Cue Club; the site has a long list of previous tenants, including the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota in its infancy.
“The building was on my drive when I [earlier] shared space with acupuncturists,” said
Hageman, who lives in lower North Mankato with her husband and their three children, ages 9, 7 and 3.
“I always drove by and thought more than once, ‘That’s not a good use of that building.’ And here we are.”
The added space allows for six treatment rooms, meaning Menari can accommodate parties of six. A 1,300 squarefoot yoga studio began operating on Menari’s lower level in midJanuary. At present, Hageman’s roster includes eight full-time and three part-time staff.
Skilled massage therapists, aestheticians, Reiki masters, yoga instructors and support staff are on the Menari team that delivers exactly what customers want and need.
“We like to affect the mind, body and spirit because they are all interconnected, so we have a wide variety of services and products to offer,” said Hageman.
“We want to give people a chance to explore different options within a facility with which they’ve developed a relationship and trust.”
For instance, Reiki masters work to help clear and reset people’s energy; the goal of Reiki is relaxation and encouragement of people’s natural healing responses. And Reiki therapy has touch or no-
touch options.
“We talk about the energy centers in the body and how they can be blocked by different events in our lives,” said Hageman.
“Reiki masters help to unblock those energy centers and open up your energetic fields for receiving positive energy and release of negative energy.”
Menari also accommodates pregnant women with prenatal massages; Menari has an FDAapproved lay-flat prenatal cushion that allows for full back massages.
“This can even help with baby positioning because the baby feels the effects of gravity differently in that position,” explained Hageman.
A specialty lymphatic massage is available for post-surgical clients (“As long as their wounds or incisions are closed,” Hageman cautioned) and can help reduce inflammation/ edema.
Facials, such as the medifacial client Wichtendahl favors, are game-changers at Menari.
“I’ve started going to [Menari aesthetician] Allegra for a facial once a month,” said Wichtendahl.
“It’s really good. I’ve had facials before when it felt like they just slapped stuff on my face, put me under a light and wiped it off. But at Menari you lay on a massage table and while the mask is deep-cleaning my pores, she massages my hands, arms, head and neck.
“It’s very relaxing, my face feels awesome—and it looks really good. I love it.”
Hageman says Menari’s facial
options are unique because they pair plant medicines and highend organic product lines (Laurel Skin, Honua Hawaiian Skincare and Osmosis Skincare) with modern and traditional practices and techniques like derma planing, LED light therapy and high-frequency lymphatic drainage.
“It’s holistic and nurturing not only to the skin topically but also internally,” said Hageman.
And aesthetician Allegra Kay is trained in performing Gua Sha sculpting facials, which involve a traditional Chinese technique that, when performed consistently, provides lasting results.
“I didn’t know I had a saggy jawline until I saw my ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures,” said Hageman. “It was drastic, and we shared the photos on Instagram and people were floored with the results I had gotten from just one session.
“Gua Sha is relaxing—it feels like a massage—and it improves blood and energy circulation which results in lifting and
sculpting without being invasive.”
In addition, Menari has an infrared sauna available and is awaiting the arrival of a soaking tub (delivery delayed due to supply-chain issues).
Hageman established Menari’s first dedicated building in 2019 on North Mankato’s Belgrade Avenue after she had previously rented space for her own massage practice with other local wellness practitioners.
“It’s been a slow journey, but I always had in the back of my mind that I wanted to give Mankato what it was missing: a relaxing, luxurious space with the benefits of a private massage practice and the ambience of a day spa,” said Hageman.
She took a leap of faith to add employees during 2020, even though “my whole family said the pandemic was not a good time to expand,” Hageman said.
“But I trusted my gut. I knew it was going to be good and we grew from two to four therapists. I felt like people needed a sense of touch and connection so badly then.
“We kept everyone safe and developed a lot of trust in the community as a really high quality service.”
When the Cherry Street location became available in 2022, Hageman said only half her family told her she was crazy to expand further.
“The other half said, ‘You did it once before,’ and the building owners were fantastic, very accommodating to my needs,” Hageman said.
To introduce the holistic, organic facial program, she attracted trained aestheticians and additional staff, maybe because her own reputation as a good employer preceded her.
“I want to be sure I’m the type of employer I always wished for: Compassionate and understanding, and providing the best possible workplace because in a service-based industry, your employees are the lifeblood of your business,” Hageman said.
“I’m grateful for Menari’s staff members every day.”
Altenburg, for one, is on board with Hageman’s message. She has enjoyed experiencing the massages and facials provided by Menari’s various therapists so is able to speak knowledgeably to clients about the different types of services offered.
“The therapists will always gather information so they can help you get the most out of your massage or facial,” said Altenburg.
“It’s so rewarding to see the benefits people get from coming here, some who have experienced pain and feel better
when they walk out.
“I’m very excited to see where Menari will go with this new space and more therapists.”
And with Valentine’s Day approaching, Hageman reminds the public that Menari gift certificates are readily available.
“Promoting relaxation, body awareness, health and healing says you care for someone so much you want them to feel good in their body on a day to day basis,” said Hageman.
“Massages and facials are gifts that keep on giving.” MV
The winners of the annual awards are chosen by Free Press Media readers. The complete list of winners was in the July issue of Mankato Magazine.
For Nick Zuehlke, the reason for his success in the Best of Mankato contest couldn’t be simpler:
“It’s because of my customers. I couldn’t be number one without the customers,” he said.
So exactly how does one foster such customer loyalty? Also simple.
“Just treat them right. Don’t lie to them. Tell them everything they need and everything they don’t need right away,” he said. “Customers want
La Terraza Mexican Grill and Bar has been at 1404 Madison Ave. since 2013. Three years before that, it was known as the Plaza Garibaldi in upper North Mankato.
Manager Juan Ocampo says the name change came with the new location to indicate a change in spices in the dishes and in presentation and atmosphere.
“We knew it would be hard to be accepted with a new name,” he said, but they also wanted to have a new beginning.
Ocampo said the cuisine is indicative of southern Mexico, using more corn
‘The patio’: the hot spot
great Mexican foodNick Zuehlke of Nick’s Car Care.
to be treated like people, and not just a car owner.”
Zuehlke says he’s worked for other places that didn’t necessarily care if customers were treated fairly. He said he’s always tried to make sure people leave every interaction with him knowing they dealt with a person of integrity.
“I made sure when I started my own business that I wasn’t going to treat people that way,” he said.
Zuehlke’s shop, called Nick’s Car Care, is a full-service repair business, working on everything from muffler installation to oil changes.
“We do pretty much everything,” he said.
Zuehlke says he’s even done some youth mentoring. Several years ago he participated in a program with Harbor Freight that aimed to help high school students learn a trade. He says they were among the first in the state to participate in the program and have a student graduate. Afterward, that student secured a college scholarship to further his education.
“That was a good mentorship program that we had,” Zuehlke said.
Siblings Su Su Sadaka and Milad Sadaka are co-owners of Sadaka’s Deli, voted first place in Mediterranean cuisine. The two opened the self-described international deli in December 2021, with almost 30 years of experience in the food business.
stepped up our business,” Su Su said. “We have customers who come in every day.”
tortillas and different spices than are used in northern parts of Mexico. And while the cuisine is authentic Mexican, it is also modified a bit to adjust to community demands. He says the ingredients are authentic.
The name La Terraza means balcony, or patio in Spanish, and that is the feeling they tried to achieve when creating the restaurant, with the patio out front. In all, the restaurant was created to offer a more comfortable atmosphere, with the same great Mexican food.
Despite having four or five Mediterranean items on the menu to highlight their Lebanese culture, Su Su said their deli offers an array of options to convey the message that everyone is welcome.
“Our menu has a little bit of everything, from a Vietnamese sandwich to Mediterranean, from grilled cheese to hamburgers,” Su Su said.
Among their most popular selections is the chicken tawook, a wrap featuring chicken, cabbage and pickled turnips, with their homemade garlic sauce. Su Su said their “loaded” club sandwich is the most popular sandwich and is a “big hit with summer.”
The restaurant also features a different special each day.
“And that is what really
In addition to cutting their vegetables daily, 90 percent of which come from the local farmers market during the summer months, and marinating their meat, Su Su said the customer experience goes beyond the food.
“We take a moment to talk to every single person,” she said. ‘That’s the package deal we have together. It’s what made it happen to make it a big success.”
Sadaka’s also offers catering services for weddings, funerals and small occasions.
“We don’t even have a sign that says who we are; it’s all word of mouth,” Su Su said. “We do it from the heart and we are proud of it.”
cubic feet per day (Bcf/d). U.S. LNG exports continued to grow for three reasons—increased LNG export capacity, increased international natural gas and LNG prices, and increased global demand, particularly in Europe.
U.S. LNG export capacity has expanded by 1.9 Bcf/d since November 2021.
The United States became the
world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter during the first half of 2022.
Compared with the second half of 2021, U.S. LNG exports increased by 12% in the first half of 2022, averaging 11.2 billion
The capacity additions included a sixth train at the Sabine Pass LNG, 18 new mid-scale liquefaction trains at the Calcasieu Pass LNG, and increased LNG production capacity at Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi LNG facilities. As of July 2022, we estimate that U.S. LNG liquefaction capacity averaged 11.4 Bcf/d, with a shorter-term peak capacity of 13.9 Bcf/d.
International natural gas and LNG prices hit record highs in the last quarter of 2021 and first half of 2022. Prices at the Title Transfer Facility (TTF) in the Netherlands have been trading at
record highs since October 2021. Utilization of the peak capacity at the seven U.S. LNG export facilities averaged 87% during the first half of 2022, mainly before the Freeport LNG outage, which is similar to the utilization on average during 2021.
Global oil inventories are forecast to fall by 0.2 million barrels per day in the first half of 2023 before rising by almost 0.7 million b/d in the second quarter.
We forecast U.S. diesel refining margins will fall by 19% in 2023 compared with 2022. However, the EU’s ban on seaborne imports of petroleum products from Russia creates supply and price uncertainty for distillate markets in early 2023.
Natural gas prices will increase from November levels as a result of both higher winter natural gas demand and rising LNG exports. Our forecast for the Henry Hub spot price averages more than $6.00 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) in the first quarter of 2023, up from November’s monthly average of about $5.50.
Natural gas prices will begin declining after January as U.S. storage levels move closer to the previous fiveyear average, largely as a result of rising U.S. natural gas production. However, the possibility of price volatility remains high.
Wholesale prices for on-peak power will rise in all areas of the country during the winter months as the weather becomes colder. Increases in wholesale electricity prices this winter (December–February) range from 33% higher than last winter in California (CAISO) to more than 60% higher in the mid-Atlantic (PJM) and central (SPP) regions.
Forecast on-peak wholesale prices for most regions generally average between $60 and $80 per megawatt hour (MWh) between December and February. We expect the highest wholesale prices to occur in New England, where prices could average in excess of $180/MWh, with winter peaks of more than $200/ MWh.
In late December of 2022, President Biden signed into law the massive $1.7 trillion “Omnibus Appropriations Bill” that was passed by both houses of Congress. This will provide funding for most agencies and aspects of the Federal government until the end of the current fiscal year on September 30, 2023. The large omnibus legislation included funding for many agencies and programs administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Following is a brief summary of some of the key ag and rural related funding provisions that were included in the omnibus funding legislation:
n $3.7 billion allocated for farm disaster aid to cover eligible crop and livestock losses from natural disasters in 2022, with $494.5 million set aside specifically for livestock losses. The legislation includes disaster aid for losses from drought, hurricanes, flooding and excessive moisture, derechos, tornadoes, excessive heat, winter storms, freeze and polar vortex, and smoke exposure.
n Provides $250 million for a one-time payment to rice producers for the 2022 crop year, with payment rates based on acreage and yield history. Rice farmers were severely impacted in 2022 by very high input costs, relatively flat commodity prices, and low profit margins.
n Authorizes $100 million to make payments to cotton merchandizers that incurred financial losses due to supply chain issues during the Covid pandemic.
n Allocates $1.92 billion in overall funding for farm programs, including $61 million targeted toward farmland ownership and succession issues. This funding will also support various other programs, including many farm, conservation, and emergency loan programs.
n The legislation included the “Growing Climate Solutions Act”, which authorizes USDA to oversee the registration of farm technical advisors and carbon credit verification services. This bill also included language for USDA to establish standards and verification rules for agricultural carbon credit market programs. The bill was an extension of language and provisions in the “Growing Carbon Solutions Act”, which was passed earlier by Congress to enhance technical assistance for farmers and ranchers that were interested to potentially participate in
carbon market programs.
n The omnibus bill included the “Sustainability Targets in Agriculture to Incentivize Natural Solutions (SUSTAINS) Act”, which allows USDA to match up to 75 percent of contributions and donations made by corporations and private entities that are directed toward funding conservation projects and efforts. This would include programs that address climate change, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat improvement, and protection of drinking water sources.
n Reauthorizes the “Pesticide Registration Improvement Act”, which imposes fees on the manufacturers of pesticides for the maintenance and registration of active ingredients. It allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase registration fees by 30 percent in 2023, as well as an additional fee increase of 5 percent in both 2024 and 2026.
n A record-setting $153 billion was authorized for the “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” (SNAP), which included expanded benefit levels for SNAP recipients.
n Makes the USDA Summer EBT (food stamp) program permanent. This program was originally developed as part of aid for the Covid pandemic. The program allows for each eligible child in certain rural areas to receive up to $40 per month ($120 total) for grab-and-go or home delivery meals during the Summer months when school is not in session.
n An additional $1.48 billion to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make emergency repairs and navigational improvements to the Mississippi River watershed and other waterways following extreme weather events.
n The legislation increases USDA funding for agricultural research by $175 million, for a total of $3.45 billion in 2023, which includes funding for the Agriculture Research Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Agriculture and Food Initiative, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, and other ag research initiatives.
n The Farm Service Agency (FSA) received the following funding authority for providing FSA loans to farmers and ranchers:
$3.1 billion for direct farm ownership loans. $3.5 billion for guaranteed farm ownership loans
$2.19 billion for guaranteed farm operating loans held by another ag lender.
Up to $4 billion for emergency FSA loans.
n Funding for other USDA programs specified in the omnibus legislation included:
$4.3 billion to the Rural Electric Program, with $2 billion earmarked for upgrading fossil-fuel electric power plants to more carbon-friendly electricity generation systems.
$455 million for rural broadband programs, including $348 million set aside for the USDA “ReConnect” program to provide grants and loans for rural broadband enhancement.
An additional $40 million increase for conservation technical assistance for farmers and ranchers, as well as $5 million for the “Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program.
$1.8 billion for the “Aid for Food for Peace” program and $248 million for the “McGovern-Dole International Food for Education” program.
$25 million for specialty crop equitable relief related to the crop insurance program.
Some notable agriculture related items that were not part of the omnibus legislation included:
Agricultural immigration reforms that would have updated the H-2A guestworker program to allow for year-round farm workers under the program and would have made it easier for those workers to get approved visas. There was strong support from major farm organizations to update the guestworker program.
No extension or re-authorization of several agriculture related federal tax provisions that were set to expire at the end of 2022.
No additional legislation targeted toward reforms in the cattle marketing system or calls for further USDA investigations into possible anti-competition behavior by beef processors.
There are certainly some aspects in the omnibus legislation that are beneficial to farmers and ranchers, as well as to rural communities, both short term and long term. However, many leaders in rural areas are wondering what the high levels of federal spending in this legislation, as well as significant funding authorized in previous large spending bills passed by Congress, will mean for future taxes related to the agriculture industry. Some are also wondering how some of the provisions and funding in this legislation will impact the upcoming debate on the next Farm Bill, especially the provisions related to climate change and carbon programs.
Kent Thiesse is farm management analyst and senior vice president, MinnStar Bank, Lake Crystal. 507-381-7960); kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com
We build
As retailers drew down their inventories throughout 2022 in an attempt to fend off high inflation, they hit pause on reordering Blue Buffalo pet food. That took General Mills by surprise, the Star Tribune reports.
Pet food sales for the Golden Valley-based company stopped growing this fall as the inventory reduction added to the dogpile of supply chain issues and manufacturing constraints Blue Buffalo was already experiencing.
The company even had to pull advertising and in-store promotional support for Blue Buffalo to avoid drawing attention to empty shelves.
Though General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening assured investors the segment would quickly rebound, the disruption was hard to ignore — operating profits for pet food sank 34% compared to the year before.
“We don’t think that this is a long-term trend,” Harmening explained to analysts on a conference call last month.
But General Mills hadn’t been able to produce enough pet food to fully meet that demand — and when it had, supply chain issues meant it didn’t always get on shelves.
3M announced in mid-December that it’s phasing out a family of harmful chemicals, but they’re not going away, the Star Tribune reports.
The “forever chemicals,” known collectively as per- and polyfluorinated substances or PFAS, are used in everything from carpeting to nonstick pans to dental floss. The chains of carbon-fluorine bonds are excellent at repelling stains, grease and water, and even snuffing out dangerous fuel fires. But they also don’t break down in the environment, and they linger in people’s bodies for years.
Research has linked the chemicals to developmental and immune problems, fertility issues and some cancers.
Maplewood-based 3M, which is facing a cascade of lawsuits over the PFAS it helped pioneer in the last century, said it would stop making and using them by 2025, including at its plant in Cottage Grove.
But researchers and environmental advocates say the persistence and global scope of the pollution from the chemicals will pose a cleanup challenge for years to come.
Global grain merchant Archer
Daniels Midland sees the commercialization of its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) efforts coming online around 2026, Chief Financial Officer Vikram Luthar said.
He said investment in the SAF sector will be needed to help commercialize sustainable jet fuel but such investment would not necessarily come from ADM.
In an effort to fight climate change, the Biden administration has launched a government challenge to supply at least 3 billion gallons of SAF per year by 2030. The airline sector is considered one of the most difficult to decarbonize as fuel for flights cannot be easily replaced with other kinds of power.
The biofuel industry got a boost this year from passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides significant subsidies to the biodiesel and sustainable jet fuel industries in the form of tax credits.
Xcel Energy customers are seeing a big jump in their bills at the same time the utility company is seeing massive profits.
Higher rates for Xcel customers were reflected for the first time in bills starting Nov. 1.
The main reason for the raise is a big jump in natural gas
prices. This time last year, customers were paying roughly 47 cents per therm, while this year they are paying roughly 95 cents per therm.
“The wholesale price of natural gas is what makes up the largest portion of most customers’ bills. And those have been high as we head into this coldest season of the year,” said Robert Kenny, president of Xcel Energy Colorado.
Xcel doesn’t make a profit from the natural gas prices, it just passes them through to ratepayers. Kenny says they have taken steps to try to mitigate the increases like storing gas to use during the winter heating season, contracting for natural gas in advance, and purchasing financial hedges which act as an insurance policy to minimize the volatility of the commodity costs.
507.344.6364 advertising@mankatofreepress.com
The recent Federal Reserve interest rate increases have been great for savers with high-yield accounts. The best annual percentage yields soared from 0.50% in early 2022 to more than 3% now.
But not everyone has been able to take advantage. According to a 2021 survey from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., nearly 6 million households had no one with a checking or savings account. There are several reasons why, but the important takeaway is that a lot of people aren’t benefiting from strong savings rates.
Even if you have a savings account, you could be missing out, especially if your account is at a big bank. It’s typical for large banks to pay as low as 0.01% savings APY, and many haven’t budged from that low rate this year.
As a customer, it’s not too late to change course. Here’s a look at what you might be missing out on and how to fix it.
A high-yield savings account is one that earns a lot more in interest than the average savings account. As of November 2022, the average savings account earned about a quarter of a percent. High-yield accounts pay many times more (see the 3% mentioned above). That amounts to an even starker difference if you do the math.
For example, if you were to keep $5,000 in an account that earned 0.25% APY for a year, you’d earn a little over $12 in interest. But if you kept that same amount in an account that
earned 3% for a year, you’d earn over $150 in interest.
Wonder why the APY on some accounts increased so quickly and so much this year? It’s because the Fed took steps to fight inflation by raising the federal funds rate, and that eventually affected savings accounts rates.
Those savings rates are a saving grace. They help shield your purchasing power against rising prices — at least a little bit.
And prices have been rising. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index, which is used as a proxy for inflation, the yearover-year price increase for a select set of goods and services in November 2022 was 7.1%.
But if you are able to squirrel away savings into a high-yield account, you can help shield your purchasing power against rising prices because the interest you earn helps counteract those price increases.
At 3% APY, even the best high-yield accounts aren’t keeping up with the rate of inflation, but protecting some of your spending power is better than protecting none of it.
When searching for a highyield account, look for one with strong rates (right now, that means 3% and above) and low or no monthly fees.
Don’t have a bank branch around the corner? No problem. Some of the best savings accounts tend to be online options, where you can do basic banking, such as mobile check deposit and automatic transfers, from your mobile device or computer. Online financial institutions tend to have competitive rates because they can take the money they save on overhead paying for branches and pass them on to customers in the form of higher rates.
The economic environment for starting a small business is significantly less hospitable than it was a year ago, according to new data from NerdWallet’s Small-Business Opportunity Index, and the increasingly unfavorable conditions have some small-business experts advising would-be entrepreneurs to prepare for rougher-than-usual starts — or even to put their business plans on hold.
The NerdWallet Small-Business Opportunity Index evaluates six types of economic data that reflect the feasibility of and common hurdles associated with starting a business: average rates on short-maturity loans borrowed for business purposes; difficulty finding qualified employees; SBA loan approvals for people of color, women, veterans and rural businesses; office rent costs; general economic conditions; and regulatory concerns among small businesses.
Overall, the NerdWallet Small-Business Opportunity Index has steadily declined from its base of 100 in September 2021 to 78.1 in September 2022, reflecting a weakening environment for starting small businesses.
Data from the National Federation of Independent Business, Colliers International Group and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York highlight significantly higher interest rates, increasing difficulty finding qualified employees, upticks in rent costs and overall economic headwinds, all of which pushed the index down over the last 12 months.
It’s indeed a challenging time for people thinking about starting small businesses, says Rob Cordasco, a Savannah, Georgia-based certified public accountant who specializes in entrepreneurs. “Setting one up is easy,” he says. “Surviving? Different story.”
An increasingly inhospitable economic environment means that starting a small business now will feel a lot different than it would have six months or a year ago, according to three smallbusiness pros. They say entrepreneurs who want to launch now need to take a different approach to some typical startup rules.
1. Be more strategic about inventory
People starting small businesses now have to put extra thought toward the timing of their inventory purchases. Prices later may be much higher than
prices today. “If you purchase it now, how much will you save when inflation hits?” asks Desha Elliott, a business advisor at Accion Opportunity Fund.
2. Keep a bigger cash cushion
“Absolutely have a reserve,” Brander says. The standard advice of one to three months’ worth of cash reserves is now three to six months, she notes.
Also, think through how you’re going to handle disappointing sales or a full-on recession.
3. Invest in workplace culture
Tight labor markets mean new entrepreneurs may now have to put more time and effort into creating satisfying workplaces for employees during the early stages of building their businesses, according to Elliott.
4. Consider pumping the brakes ...
Most people thinking about starting businesses should probably wait until conditions improve, Cordasco says. “Maybe not jump in with both feet, maybe you kind of just ease your way into it,” he says. “I wouldn’t be overly optimistic.”
5. ... Or not
The sidelines may be the right place for some would-be entrepreneurs right now. But for others, now could actually be a good time to start a business, Brander says. “Look around and determine what’s needed in the community. Business is a solution to people’s problems,” she notes.
The Ambassadors are a greeting arm of Greater Mankato Growth that promotes our community and encourages expansion of established, as well as the development of new businesses in Greater Mankato. The Ambassadors visit businesses that are new to the area, move to a new location, have a major reinvestment in their property, or are holding a major celebration.
If you would like to schedule a visit with the Ambassadors, please email us at info@greatermankato.com or call
4 to 6 pm
* Dates shifted to second Tuesday if event falls on or near a major holiday or other events
feb 7
sky one eleven
111 South Second Street, 7th Floor, Mankato
mar 14*
fun.com
2080 Lookout Drive, North Mankato
aug 1
pepsi-cola of mankato inc.
1970 James Drive, North Mankato
apr 4
traverse des sioux
regional library system
1400 Madison Avenue, Suite 628, Mankato
sep 12*
courtyard by marriott
hotel & event center
901 Raintree Road, Mankato
may 2
the beast
422 Belgrade Avenue, Suite 103, North Mankato
oct 3
eide bailly
111 South Second Street, Suite 300, Mankato
Jun 6
birkholz & associates, llc
121 St. Andrews Court, Mankato
nov 7
bethany lutheran college
activity & wellness center
923 Marsh Street, Mankato
Jul 11*
carlson-tillisch eye clinic
120 North Broad Street, Mankato
dec 5
habitat for humanity
south central mn & habitat for humanity restore
1730 Bassett Drive, Mankato
2023 business after hours series presented by
Keep your employees engaged and retained with access to our member on ly events and programs
Congratulations to Whimsy & Weathered, Coffee Hag, and ISG, the winners of the third annual Let it Glow, Kato!, a window display contest sponsored by the City Center Partnership.
Your investment helps us cont inue to build t he best environment for your business and it s employees.
Window display contests provide a great way to attract customers and make communities more inviting. This year, 22 business participated in the contest.
Rai belonging. R th to a cham ar
We only refer member businesses. Word of mouth and direct referrals come from being a valued member of GMG.
greatermankato.com/join
In 2023, Greater Mankato Growth will work vigorously to ensure the voice of our members is heard loud and clear with public officials at all levels.
Our 2023 policy priorities are a reflection of our mission statement, which is to support and promote the economic growth and vitality of our members and the regional marketplace, and they represent issues that are most important to our members.
In addition, Greater Mankato Growth partners with other organizations to support their advocacy efforts, which align with and complement these priorities.
read more here
workforce development
tax competitiveness
healthcare
childcare regulations
strategic investments
To learn more, please contact Andy Wilke, Director of Business Development and Public Affairs at awilke@greatermankato.com or 507.385.6649
Available through February 24, 2023
For the fourth year in a row, GreenSeam, along with many collaborators, is conducting a survey and holding focus groups to provide deeper insight into the future of agriculture. The State of Ag Report, a result of this comprehensive survey and focus groups, will be released on National Ag Day, March 21, 2023. The report reveals the perceptions and opinions on the economy and other major issues in the agriculture industry and places emphasis on education, as well as talent attraction and retetion.
If you or your business or organization are directly or indirectly working in or near the food and agriculture industry, please complete the 2023 State of Ag Survey. Your participation will enable GreenSeam to better understand, serve, and support the workforce, businesses, organizations, and the communities we call home.
greenseam.org/stateofag
During the 2022 holiday season, the City Center Partnership's Bonus Gift Card Program saw $21,500 in receipts turned in for bonus gift cards, equating to $3.5 in additional spending for every $1 City Center Partnership invested in this initiative.
GOLFERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD COME TO CHALLENGE THE JUDGE and the two other golf courses in Prattville at RTJ Capitol Hill. Bring your clubs and come take on Judge hole number 1, voted the favorite hole on the Trail. Complete your day in luxury at the Marriott and enjoy dining, firepits and guest rooms overlooking the Senator golf course. With the Marriott’s 20,000 square feet of meeting space, 96 guest rooms and luxurious Presidential Cottage combined with three world-class golf courses, business and pleasure can definitely interact in Prattville.
THE ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF TRAIL AT CAPITOL HILL offers three magnificent 18-hole championship golf courses. The Marriott Prattville is part of the Resort Collection on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Visit www.rtjgolf.com or call 800.949.4444 to learn more.
The 2023 Richard Schmitz Food Entrepreneurship series welcomes students, faculty, staff and the community to Ostrander Auditorium for a deep dive into the multi-faceted world of food and agribusiness.
This year’s guest speaker, Christine Lantinen, will talk about entrepreneurship and her journey to Maud Borup. Maud Borup is a wholesale manufacturer specializing in gourmet candy, confections, and snacks for specialty and mass retailers. Christine Lantinen, ‘98 alumna, took over Maud Borup in 2005 and has been leading the way and introducing new and indulgent products ever since. Maud Borup is a women and veteran owned business, B-Corp certified, and a sustainability leader in the industry. We hope you join us for the March event.
Thursday, March 16, 2023 3:30 - 5:00 pm | Ostrander Auditorium
