The Greater Mankato Business Awards & Hall of Fame, a premier business event, is a time where Greater Mankato Growth, Visit Mankato, City Center Partnership, and GreenSeam honor outstanding businesses, professionals, and organizations within the Greater Mankato community.
If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please reach out to Liz Sharp.
Each year, at least one outstanding private sector business from the Greater Mankato region is inducted into the Business Hall of Fame for their contributions to our vibrant community. Those contributions include: improving the quality of life in Greater Mankato through the creation of quality jobs and developing opportunities for their employees, demonstration of personal and business ethical qualities, including dedication to family, community, the environment, and private enterprise, as well as demonstration of qualities of entrepreneurship by assuming the risk of organizing, developing, and managing a successful private business enterprise in Greater Mankato.
The Business Legacy award honors private sector businesses that have been in business in Greater Mankato region for 10 or more years and have previously been inducted into the Hall of Fame. The award is designed to call recognition to businesses whose principles reflect the same type of care, compassion, investment, and entrepreneurial spirit that was represented by their predecessors.
This award honors an outstanding business from the Greater Mankato region for their contributions to our vibrant community. Those contributions include demonstrating personal and business ethical qualities, including dedication to family, community, the environment and private enterprise, as well as demonstration of qualities of entrepreneurship by assuming the risk of organizing, developing, and managing a successful business enterprise in Greater Mankato. This category applies to businesses that have been in business for 3 – 10 years.
This award honors an outstanding organization that has been in business for less than three years. Each year, one remarkable new business is recognized for their contributions to our vibrant community. Those contributions include demonstrating personal and business ethical qualities, including dedication to family, community, the environment and private enterprise, as well as demonstration of qualities of entrepreneurship by assuming the risk of organizing, developing, and managing a successful business enterprise in Greater Mankato.
The Brian Fazio Business Education Partnership award recognizes partnerships that enhance education and business in Greater Mankato.
The Hap Halligan Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has participated in the Greater Mankato Leadership Institute program and has demonstrated outstanding creative and innovative contributions to the community. The award was named after Hap Halligan, who was a community businessperson and volunteer leader, as well as one of the founding members of the Leadership Institute program in the early 1980s.
Each year, one distinguished young professional between 21-40 years of age is recognized for leadership and service through commitment to community, service, and volunteerism, involvement in efforts to enrich the professional/leadership development of other young professionals, and their active involvement in welcoming young professionals to learn, live, work, and engage in Greater Mankato.
The Bring it Home award recognizes an individual, group, or organization that works alongside Visit Mankato to bring a significant event to Greater Mankato.
The Hospitality award recognizes an individual, group, or organization who has gone above and beyond to provide outstanding hospitality to the visitors of Greater Mankato OR who has helped promote Greater Mankato as a great destination to visit.
The City Center Partnership Awards have been revised from previous years.
This category recognizes new construction or renovation projects that contribute to the economic vitality of the City Center. The project could be the result of significant investment to develop a new building within the city center or redevelop an existing building or property for an improved use that contributes to the economic and cultural vitality of the city center. Nominations may be made for projects completed in the last two years.
This category recognizes projects that include aesthetic improvements such as exterior signage, landscaping and beautification, public art, and exterior furnishings or that integrates arts and culture (permanent or temporary) to foster interaction among community members, spark vitality, or create an environment conducive to creativity and social engagement. Nominations may be made for projects completed in the last two years.
This category recognizes projects that incorporate sustainable elements into new construction or renovations, projects that improve environmental conditions through cleanup of brownfield sites, and/or recognizes projects that work to celebrate and maintain the historic integrity of a property, building, or landscape. This can include proactive maintenance of a historic property, alterations sensitive to historic character, and projects that celebrate a property’s history. Nominations may be made for projects completed in the last two years.
The Seamed in Success award honors an outstanding business, organization, community, or individual which has made a large impact and added value to the community and region. This award recognizes those who have highlighted the importance of agriculture, with an emphasis on rural vitality building upon our agricultural roots.
The Growing in the GreenSeam award honors an outstanding business that has recently planted its seed in the GreenSeam region. Each year, one remarkable new business is recognized for their innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and contribution to our vibrant community.
ISG
Mankato Lodge Senior Living
MEI
Met-Con Construction, Inc.
Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union
MinnStar Bank
Bolton & Menk
Consolidated Communications
Eide Bailly
Federated Insurance
Monarch Healthcare Management
Mutual of America Financial Group
Navitor Specialty Products
Radio Mankato
Spherion Staffing Services
T-Mobile
TGK Automotive of Mankato
U.S. Bank
United Prairie Bank
Volk Transfer
RAFFLE DONORS:
Atomic Star Tavern, Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery, Fleet Farm, Kibble Equipment, LocALE Brewing Company, Loose Moose Saloon & Conference Center, Mankato Brewery, Mankato Independent Originals, Pub 500, Rounders Sports Bar & Grill, Scheels All Sports, Schell’s Brewery, The Beast, Ummies Bar & Grill
If you are interested in showcasing your business, please reach out to Liz Sharp.
Ag Management Solutions
APX Construction Group
Blethen Berens
Bolton & Menk
Carlson-Tillisch Eye Clinic
City of Mankato
City of North Mankato
CLA
Coldwell Banker Commercial Fisher Group
Community Bank
Compeer Financial
Dotson Iron Castings
Drummers Garden Center & Floral
Eide Bailly
First National Bank Minnesota
Fredrikson & Byron
Gislason & Hunter
Mankato Kiwanis
MEI
Minnesota State University, Mankato – College of Business
Minnesota State University, Mankato – President’s Office
Old Town Association
OMG – Otto Media Group
Pioneer Bank
Profinium, Inc.
Radio Mankato
Snell Motors
South Central College
U.S. Bank
United Prairie Bank
2022 – Drummers Garden Center & Floral
2021 – Carlson-Tillisch Eye Clinic
2020 – Quality 1Hr Foto/SPX
2019 – FUN.com, United Prairie Bank
2018 – LIV Aveda Salon & Spa, Massad Group
2017 – Kato Insurance Agency
2016 – Dotson Iron Castings
2015 – Community Bank, Tailwind Group
2014 – Minnesota Elevator, Inc.
2013 – Drummer Companies, Lidstrom Commercial Realtors
2012 – Lloyd Lumber – Just Ask Lumber, Wells Federal Bank
2011 – Paulsen Architects, Snell Motors
2010 – Abdo, Eick & Meyers, Mankato Independent Originals
2009 – James R Weir Insurance Company, Schmidt Siding & Window Company
2008 – Pathstone Living, Kaye Corporation
2006 – Exclusively Diamonds Linder Radio
2005 – McDonald’s Of Mankato
2004 – All American Towing, MAS Communications, School Sisters of Notre Dame
2003 – Kagermeier Oleson & Hobbie Architects, Katolight, Winland Electronics
2002 – Fisher Group, I&S Engineers & Architects, Wolf Etter & Co
2001 – Bolton & Menk, Farrish Johnson Law Office
2000 – BENCO Electric Cooperative, KEYC-TV
1999 – Chesley Freightliner, Degroods TV & Appliance, Mankato Clinic
1998 – C & N Sales, EI Microcircuits, Jerry Crest & ISJ-MHS
1997 – HickoryTech, MRCI, Northwest Bank
1996 – MICO Incorporated, Matt J. Graif Clothing
1995 – Hilltop Florist Meyer & Sons Schwickert’s Holding Company
1994 – Blethen Gage & Krause, Dick Lundin & Southern MN Construction, Raymond H. Sponberg, CLU, Insurance Agency
1993 – H. Warren Denison & Lloyd E. Johnson, Johnson Fishing, Paul Hadley, Corporate Graphics, Paul Gislason & Donald Meredith, The Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic
1992 – Russel Foster, Mankato Corporation Howard & Willard Vetter, Vetter Stone, John Votca, Mankato Technical College
1991 – Ferdinand Busher, American Bank, Frederick Family, Happy Chef Systems Maurice “Al” Sween, Sween Corporation
1990 – Arthur J. Petrie, Petrie Development Kenneth S. Hiniker, Hiniker Company Thomas P. Coughlan, Mankato-Kasota Stone
1989 – Glen A. Taylor, Taylor Corporation, Jared How, The Free Press, Rober J. Lloyd, Lloyd Companies
1988 – Lowell W. Andreas, Archer Daniels Midland Earl W. Madsen, Madsen’s Super Valu Paul & William Radichel, North Star Concrete
1987 – Ogden P. Confer, Hubbard Milling Co, Cecil H. Jones, Kato Engineering & Jones Metal Fred Lutz Sr., Northland Beverages, Brett M. Taylor Sr., Brett’s Department Store
2022 – ISG
2021 – Mankato Independent Originals
2019 – Vetter Stone Company
2018 – BAMCO – McDonald’s of Mankato
2022 – APX Construction Group
2021 – Bumbelou
2020 – Kato Crossfit
2019 – Freedom Home Care, LLC
2018 – Neubau Holdings, LLC
2017 – Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery
2016 – The Coffee Hag
2015 – Champion Auto Enterprises, LLC
2014 – PresenceMaker, Inc
2013 – Jones and Magnus, Attorneys at Law
2012 – Brunton Architects, RedSky Lounge
2011 – Mankato MoonDogs
2010 – LIV Aveda Salon & Spa
2009 – ECS – Electrical Communications Specialists
2008 – Frentz Construction, Angie’s Kettle Corn
2006 – Brennan Companies
2005 – Coughlan Publishing
2004 – Volk Transfer, Inc.
2003 – Target
2002 – Central Concrete
2001 – Midwest Wireless, Paulsen Architects
2021 – Borgs Homes Realty
2018 – True Real Estate
2016 – Salvage Sisters
2015 – Freedom Home Care, LLC
2014 – Friesen’s Family Bakery & Bistro
2013 – Oleson+Hobbie Architects, LLC
2012 – Bent River Outfitter
2011 – WOW! Zone
2009 – Sports Institute
2008 – Contessa Restaurant
2006 – Grace Senior Services
2005 – Dan & Angie Bastian, Angie’s Kettle Corn
2004 – Pam Haugum
2002 – Lynn Collins, Flowertrellis Gift Basket Co.
2001 – Tom & Kelly Doering, E-Travel Experts
2022 – Minnesota State University, Mankato – College of Business & United Prairie Bank
2021 – South Central College and South Central Service Cooperative & Lime Valley Advertising and OMG – Otto Media Group
2020 – Greater Mankato Area United Way & Capstone
2019 – Mankato Area Public Schools (ISD#77), Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial (ISD#2071), Maple River Schools (ISD#2135), St. Clair Public Schools (ISD#75), Nicollet Public Schools (ISD#507), and Feeding Our Communities Partners (FOCP)
2018 – Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, South Central College, EI Microcircuits, Dotson Iron Castings, Jones Metal, and Big Ideas
2017 – Junior Achievement of Greater Mankato, Mankato Area Public Schools, and Loyola High School
2016 – Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Dental Hygiene & Open Door Health Center
2015 – South Central College & CliftonLarsonAllen (Annual Ag Symposium)
2014 – Minnesota State Universit, Mankato – College of Business & Taylor Corporation – Innovation Center
2013 – Bolton & Menk, Inc., Ecumen Pathstone Living, Mankato Area Public Schools, and The Thro Company
2012 – Junior Achievement of Greater Mankato
2011 – Bolton & Menk, Inc. & South Central College
2010 – Girls on the Run
2009 – Minnesota State University, Mankato Community Engagement Office
2008 – South Central College Mechatronics Program
2006 – I&S Engineers & Architects, Mankato Area Public Schools, Minnesota State University, and Mankato Civil Engineering Program
2005 – Mankato Area Public Schools Health Occupations Program, Mankato Clinic, Immanuel St. Joesph’s – Mayo Health System, Pediatric Therapy Services, Mankato Prosthetic Orthotic Laboratories, Mankato Lutheran Home, The Thro Company, and Mankato Chiroproatic Center and Healing Touch
2004 – Mankato Area Public Schools & Mankato Clinic
2003 – Immanuel St. Joseph’s – Mayo Health System, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato Lutheran Homes, Inc., South Central Technical College, St. Peter Community Hospital & Health Care Center, and Thro Companies, Inc.
2002 – Kato Engineering & Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Science, Engineering and Technology
2001 – E-Travel Experts & Rasmussen College
2000 – Thin Film Technology & Minnesota State University, Mankato
1999 – Coughlan Companies, Mankato Area Public Schools, and Catholic Schools
1998 – Mankato Area Public Schools & Midwest Wireless
1997 – FirePond Inc., HickoryTech, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Norwest Bank, South Central Technical College, and Taylor Corporation
1996 – Jones Metal Products, Inc. & South Central Technical College
2022 – Coralyn Musser
2021 – Kyle Mrozek
2019 – Laura Bowman
2018 – Betty Ouren
2017 – John Bulcock
2016 – Scott Wojcik
2015 – Eric Oleson
2014 – Barb Embacher
2013 – Kate Loging
2012 – David Wittenberg
2011 – Marsha Danielson
2009 – Pam Year
2008 – Janet Molstad, PHD
2006 – Ed Waltman
2005 – Jerry Crest
2004 – Keith Boleen
2003 – Kathy Brynaert
2002 – T. William Coughlan
2001 – Ann Stewart
2000 – Maureen Gustafson
1999 – Elaine Schoeneberger
1998 – Noell Reed
1997 – Max Tjaden
1996 – Elaine Peterson
1995 – Glenn Gabriel
1994 – Tom Riley
1993 – Stephanie Stoffel
1992 – Diane Berge
1991 – Colleen Landkamer
2022 – Macy Anderson
2021 – Nate Olsen
2020 – Laura Jans
2019 – Angela Guentzel
2018 – Jaci Sprague
2017 – Christopher Harstad
2016 – Brad Boettcher
2015 – Elizabeth Harstad
2014 – Kevin Velasquez
2013 – Matt Norland
2012 – Christi Wilking
2011 – Michael Jacobs
2010 – Nichole Schroder
2009 – Robyn James
2008 – Jenn Faust, Kate Loging
2022 – Hockey Day Minnesota Local Organizing Committee
2021 – Anthony Ford Pond Hockey
2020 – Silo Art CityArt Mankato
2019 – Aussie Peppers
2018 – Minneopa State Park / Bison Preserve
2017 – Paul Gaspar, Mankato United Soccer Club
2016 – The Dam Store
2015 – Peter Olson, Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota
2014 – Bent River Outfitter
2013 – Kiwanis Holiday Lights
2012 – Mankato Wacipi Pow Wow
2011 – Tom Engstrom
2010 – Laurapalooza
2009 – Deep Valley Convention Committee, Betsy-Tacy Society
2008 – Minnesota Sweet Adelines
2022 – Old Town Mankato Day of the Dead
2021 – Mankato MoonDogs & ISG Field Investors
2020 – Mankato Area Mountain Bikers
2019 – Justin Ek / Bellissimo Paint & Coatings
2018 – Jack McGowans Farm
2017 – Mankato RibFest
2016 – Mankato Symphony Orchestra
2015 – Minnesota Vikings 50th Training Camp
2014 – Justin & Jenna Rinehart, Nicollet Bike Shop
2013 – Vetter Stone Amphitheater
2012 – Mankato Brewery
2011 – CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour
2010 – WOW! Zone Family Entertainment Center
2009 – Pub 500
2008 – Morgan Creek Vineyards, Quality 1 Hr. Foto/Sports Pix
2022 – Dotson Iron Castings
2022 – Mankato Kiwanis Centennial Mural
2021 – Coffee Hag
2020 – Mankato Playhouse
2019 – ChalkFest
2018 – The Hub Food Park
2017 – Human Foosball (Greater Mankato United Way)
2022 – Historic Masonic Hall, Studio 5
2021 – Moulin Rouge House B&B
2020 – 129 N 6th Street
2017 – Boy in Blue Monument (Boy in Blue Civic War Memorial Project)
2016 – Carnegie Art Center
People’s Choice Award
2022 – “The Artist” by Jefferson Davis
2021 – “Cover Up” by Jefferson Davis
2020 – “You” by Martin Leenhouts
2019 – “Cog of the Wild” by Andrew Nyberg
2018 – “New Life” Sculpture by Janesville, Waldorf, Pemberton (JWP) High School Advanced Metal Sculpture Class
2017 – “Maestro” Sculpture by Lee Leuning & Sherri Treeby
2016 – “Stand for the Flag” Sculpture by Lee Leuning & Sherri Treeby
2015 – “Godzilla” by Dale Lewis
2014 – “Green Sea Turtles by Eric Thorsen
2013 – “Saturday Distractions” by Lee Leuning and Sherri Treeby
2012 – “Guidance” by Deb Zelenak
2011 – “Reading Magic” by Julie Jones
Jurors Purchase Award
2022 – “Mountain Spell” by Harold Linke
2021 – “Fine Feathered Friends” by Gary and Tonnie Hovie & Jim Perrine
2020 - “We Can Do It” – Sculpture by Lee Leuning & Sherri Treeby
The City Center Partnership Awards have been revised from previous years. The former recipients of past City Center Center award winners are listed below.
2021 New Construction (over $5,000,000) – Bridge Plaza
2021 New Construction ($2,000,000 – $5,000,000) – Frandsen Bank & Trust
2021 Preservation Stewardship – Moulin Rouge House B&B
2021 Downtown Detail – SiloArt
2021 Creative Placemaking – Coffee Hag
2021 “People’s Choice” Award – Cover Up by Jefferson Davis
2021 “Juror’s Purchase” Award – “Fine Feathered Friends” by Gary and Tonnie Hovie & Jim Perrine
2020 New Construction (over $5,000,000) – Eide Bailly Tower
2020 Renovations between $500,000 – $1,000,000 – Ridgley Building/Cultivate Mankato
2020 Renovations under $500,000 – LocAle Brewing Company
2020 Preservation Stewardship – 129 N 6th Street
2020 Downtown Detail – Vetter Stone Plaza
2020 Creative Placemaking – Mankato Playhouse
2020 “People’s Choice” Award – “You” – Sculpture by Martin Leenhouts
2020 “Jurors Purchase” Award – “We Can Do It” – Sculpture by Lee Leuning & Sherri Treeby
2019 Renovation $1M – $3M – Carlson-Tillisch Eye Clinic
2019 Renovation Under $500,000 – Bumbelou
2019 Sustainability – Hubbard Building
2019 Downtown Detail – Stoltzman Park
2019 Creative Placemaking – ChalkFest
2019 CityArt “People’s Choice” Award – Cog of the Wild by Andrew Nyberg
2018 Renovation under $500,000 – Flask, by Mankato Independent Originals
2018 Sustainability – Mankato Place Mall Solar Panels
2018 Downtown Detail – Twin Rivers Council for the Arts – Common Grounds Parklet
2018 Creative Placemaking – The Hub Food Park
2018 CityArt “People’s Choice” Award – “New Life” Sculpture by Janesville, Waldorf, Pemberton (JWP) High School Advanced Metal Sculpture Class
2017 New Construction Over $5M – Block 518 (Tailwind Group)
2017 Renovation $500,000 – $1M – Bluebird Cakery
2017 Renovation under $500,000 – Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Minnesota State University, Mankato)
2017 Preservation Stewardship – Boy in Blue Monument (Boy in Blue Civic War Memorial Project)
2017 Downtown Detail – Kites Mural (City of Mankato)
2017 Creative Placemaking – Human Foosball (Greater Mankato United Way)
2017 CityArt “People’s Choice” Award – “Maestro” Sculpture by Lee Leuning & Sherri Treeby
2016 New Construction Over $5M – Ridley Tower
2016 New Construction Over $5M Municipal – Verizon Wireless Center Expansion/Performing Arts Center
2016 Renovation over $1M – $3M – Bethlehem Lutheran Church
2016 Renovation $500,000 – $1M Mankato Area Foundation Shared Spaces – A Center for Nonprofit Collaboration
2016 Renovation under $500,000 – WYSIWYG Juice Co.
2016 Preservation Stewardship Carnegie Art Center
2016 Downtown Detail – “Tractor Bull” Sculpture
2016 CityArt “People’s Choice” Award – “Stand for the Flag” Sculpture by Lee Leuning & Sherri Treeby
2015 Renovation over $3M – Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota
2015 New Construction over $5M Profinium Place – Tailwind Group and Mid Rise Holdings
2015 CityArt People’s Choice Award – “Godzilla” Dale Lewis | Hastings, MN
2014 Renovation under $1M – Visit Mankato
2014 Renovation $1M – $3M – Front Street Property Owners and City of Mankato
2014 Renovation over $3M – VINE Faith in Action
2014 New Construction Under $2M – Local Veterans Committee, City of Mankato and City of North Mankato
2014 Downtown Detail – Pub 500 Patio
2014 Innovative Interior Remodel – Y Barbers/Onatah On Belgrade
2014 Facade Improvements – City of Mankato
2013 Renovation – Chopps Bar
2012 Renovation under $1M – Tandem Bagels
2012 New Construction Under $2M – Brunton Architects Office
2012 Facade Improvements – City Center Place
2012 Downtown Detail – 629 North Riverfront Drive
2011 Renovation over $3M – US Bank Center
2011 Renovation under $1M – I&S Group Offices
2011 New Construction under $2M – The Marigold
2011 Facade Improvement – 327 Riverfront Drive
2011 Downtown Detail – Neighbor’s Italian Bistro
2010 Renovation under $1M – Number 4 American Bar & Kitchen
2010 Renovation $1M – $3M – The Graif Building
2010 New Construction $2M – $5M – MinnStar Bank
2010 New Construction over $5M – Hilton Garden Inn
2010 Facade Improvements – Two Rivers Place
2010 Downtown Detail – The Pita Pit
2022 – Rod Hebrink
2021 – Dr. Shane Bowyer
2020 – Brad Schloesser
2019 – Farmamerica
2018 – B.E.S.T. of Waseca County – Waseca Vision 2030
2022 – Ag Management Solutions, Tom Slunecka
2021 – Clean plus, Inc.
2019 – Revol Greens
2018 – AKER – Orlando Saez and Todd Golly
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