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Greater Mankato Business Awards & Hall of Fame
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.
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 | 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center
1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, MN 56001
Browse the award categories below and nominate businesses, professionals, or organizations who have made an impact in the Greater Mankato business community. Nomination deadline is September 1, 2022.
2022 Greater Mankato Business Awards & Hall of Fame Award Categories
Greater Mankato Growth Awards
Hall of Fame
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. Download the nomination form here.
Business Legacy
The 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 to the Hall of Fame. The award is designed to call recognition to business whose principles are involved and reflected the same type of care, investment, and entrepreneurial spirit that was represented by their predecessors. Download the nomination form here.
Distinguished Business
Each year, one private outstanding business from the Greater Mankato region is honored 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. Download the nomination form here.
Entrepreneurial Business
Each year, one remarkable new business is recognized for their contribution to our vibrant community. The contributions include betterment of human endeavors and life in our region through creation of quality jobs and employee opportunities, demonstration of personal and business ethical qualities, including dedication to family, community, Chamber activities, the environment, and private enterprise, as well as assuming risk of organizing, developing, and managing a successful business enterprise in Greater Mankato. Download the nomination form here.
Brian Fazio Business Education Partnership
Each year, this category recognizes partnerships that enhance education and business in Greater Mankato. Download the nomination form here.
Hap Halligan Leadership Award
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. Download the nomination form here.
Young Professional of the Year
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. Download the nomination form here.
Visit Mankato Awards
Bring it Home
Bring it Home award ecognizes an individual, group, or organization that works alongside Visit Mankato to bring a significant event to Greater Mankato. Download the nomination form here.
Hospitality
Hospitality reward 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. Download the nomination form here.
City Center Partnership Awards
The City Center Partnership Awards have been revised from previous years.
CityDesign Award
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 redevelops 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 2 years. Download the nomination form here.
Creative Placemaking Award
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 2 years. Download the nomination form here.
Stewardship Award
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 2 years. Download the nomination form here.
GreenSeam Awards
Seamed in Success
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. Download the nomination form here.
Growing in the GreenSeam
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. Download the nomination form here.
2022 Greater Mankato Business Awards & Hall of Fame Sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor:
Event Sponsor:
Dinner Sponsor:
Video Sponsor:
Previous Recipients
Greater Mankato Growth
Business Hall of Fame
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.
2021 Carlson-Tillisch Eye Clinic | 2020 Quality 1Hr Foto/SPX | 2019 FUN.com | 2018 LIV Aveda Salon & Spa Massad Group | |
2017 Kato Insurance Agency | 2016 Dotson Iron Castings | 2015 Community Bank | 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 |
Business Legacy
The 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 to the Hall of Fame. The award is designed to call recognition to business whose principles are involved and reflected the same type of care, investment, and entrepreneurial spirit that was represented by their predecessors.
2021 Mankato Independent Originals | 2019 Vetter Stone Company | 2018 BAMCO - McDonald's of Mankato |
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Distinguished Business
2021 Bumbelou | 2020 Kato Crossfit | 2019 Freedom Home Care, LLC | 2018 Neubau Holdings, LLC
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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 |
Entrepreneur of the Year
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 |
Brian Fazio Business Education Partnership Award
2021 South Central College and South Central Service Cooperative (Education) | 2020 Greater Mankato Area United Way and 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 Education Partners: Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, South Central College; Business Partners: EI Microcircuits, Dotson Iron Castings, Jones Metal, Big Ideas
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2017 Junior Achievement of Greater Mankato | 2016 Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Dental Hygiene Open Door Health Center | 2015 South Central College & CliftonLarsonAllen (Annual Ag Symposium) | 2014 College of Business - Minnesota State University, Mankato | 2013 Bolton & Menk, Inc. |
2012 Junior Achievement of Greater Mankato | 2011 Bolton & Menk, Inc. | 2010 Girls on the Run | 2009 Minnesota State University, Mankato Community Engagement Office | 2008 South Central College Mechatronics Program |
2006 I&S Engineers & Architects Minnesota State University, Mankato Civil Engineering Program | 2005 Mankato Area Public Schools' Health Occupations Program | 2004 Mankato Area Public Schools | 2003 Immanuel St. Joseph's - Mayo Health System | 2002 Kato Engineering & Minnesota State University |
2001 E-Travel Experts | 2000 Thin Film Technology | 1999 Coughlan Companies | 1998 Mankato Area Public Schools | 1997 FirePond Inc. |
1996 Jones Metal Products, Inc. |
Hap Halligan Award
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 |
Young Professional of the Year
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 |
Visit Mankato
Hospitality Award
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 |
Bring It Home Award
2021 Anthony Ford Pond Hockey | 2020 Silo Art CityArt Mankato
| 2019 Aussie Peppers | 2018 Minneopa State Park / Bison Preserve
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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 | 2008 Minnesota Sweet Adelines |
City Center Partnership - CityDesign Awards of Excellence
2021
New Construction (over $5,000,000) Bridge Plaza | New Construction ($2,000,000 - $5,000,000) Frandsen Bank & Trust | Downtown Detail SiloArt |
Preservation Stewardship Moulin Rouge House B&B | Creative Placemaking Coffee Hag |
2020
New Construction Over $5M Eide Bailly Tower | Renovations between $500,000 - $1,000,000 Ridgley Building/Cultivate Mankato | Renovations under $500,000 LocAle Brewing Company |
Downtown Detail Vetter Stone Plaza | Creative Placemaking Mankato Playhouse | Preservation Stewardship 129 N 6th Street |
CityArt "People's Choice" Award "You" - Sculpture by Martin Leenhouts | CityArt "Jurors' Purchase" Award "We Can Do It" - Sculpture by Lee Leuning & Sherri Treeby |
2019
Renovation $1M - $3M Carlson-Tillisch Eye Clinic | Renovation Under $500,000 Bumbelou | Sustainability Hubbard Building |
Downtown Detail Stoltzman Park | Creative Placemaking ChalkFest | CityArt "People's Choice" Award Cog of the Wild by Andrew Nyberg |
2018
Renovation under $500,000 Flask, by Mankato Independent Originals | Sustainability Mankato Place Mall Solar Panels | Downtown Detail Twin Rivers Council for the Arts - Common Grounds Parklet |
Creative Placemaking The Hub Food Park | 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) | Renovation $500,000 - $1M Bluebird Cakery | Renovation under $500,000 Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Minnesota State University, Mankato) |
Preservation Stewardship Boy in Blue Monument (Boy in Blue Civic War Memorial Project) | Downtown Detail Kites Mural (City of Mankato) | Creative Placemaking Human Foosball (Greater Mankato United Way) |
CityArt "People's Choice" Award "Maestro" Sculpture by Lee Leuning & Sherri Treeby |
2016
New Construction Over $5M Ridley Tower | New Construction Over $5M Municipal Verizon Wireless Center Expansion/Performing Arts Center | Renovation over $1M - $3M Bethlehem Lutheran Church |
Renovation $500,000 - $1M Mankato Area Foundation Shared Spaces - A Center for Nonprofit Collaboration | Renovation under $500,000 WYSIWYG Juice Co. | Preservation Stewardship Carnegie Art Center |
Downtown Detail "Tractor Bull" Sculpture | 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 | New Construction over $5M Profinium Place - Tailwind Group and | CityArt People's Choice Award "Godzilla" Dale Lewis | Hastings, MN |
2014
Renovation under $1M Visit Mankato | Renovation $1M - $3M Front Street Property Owners and City of Mankato | Renovation over $3M VINE Faith in Action |
New Construction Under $2M Local Veterans Committee, City of Mankato | Downtown Detail Pub 500 Patio | Innovative Interior Remodel Y Barbers/Onatah On Belgrade |
Facade Improvements City of Mankato |
2013
Chopps Bar
2012
Renovation under $1M Tandem Bagels | New Construction Under $2M Brunton Architects Office | Facade Improvements City Center Place | Downtown Detail 629 North Riverfront Drive |
2011
Renovation over $3M US Bank Center | Renovation under $1M I&S Group Offices | New Construction under $2M The Marigold | Facade Improvement 327 Riverfront Drive | Downtown Detail Neighbor's Italian Bistro |
2010
Renovation under $1M Number 4 American Bar & Kitchen | Renovation $1M - $3M The Graif Building | New Construction $2M - $5M MinnStar Bank | New Construction over $5M Hilton Garden Inn |
Facade Improvements Two Rivers Place | Downtown Detail The Pita Pit |
GreenSeam
Seamed in Success
2020 Brad Schloesser | 2019 Farmamerica | 2018 B.E.S.T. of Waseca County - Waseca Vision 2030 |
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Growing in the GreenSeam
2019 Revol Greens | 2018 AKER — Orlando Saez and Todd Golly |
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