Honorees Announced for Greater Mankato Business Awards & Hall of Fame

    October 2nd, 2019

    Recipients Honored at November 12 Event

    MANKATO, Minn. – Each year Greater Mankato Growth, Inc., which includes Greater Mankato Growth, Visit Mankato, City Center Partnership and GreenSeam, recognizes outstanding businesses, organizations and professionals at the Greater Mankato Business Awards & Hall of Fame. This year’s event is presented by Mayo Clinic Health System and will be held on November 12 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm at Mankato Civic Center. Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. is proud to announce this year’s 2019 honorees:

    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: to better the quality of life in Greater Mankato through the creation of quality jobs and developing opportunities for their employees; demonstrates personal and business ethical qualities, including dedication to family, community, the environment and private enterprise; demonstrates qualities of entrepreneurship by assuming the risk of organizing, developing and managing a successful private business enterprise in Greater Mankato):
    2019 Hall of Fame Inductees: FUN.com and United Prairie Bank

    Business Legacy (Each year a private sector business that has been in business in the Greater Mankato region for 10 or more years and has previously received the designation Hall of Fame inductee. This award is designed to call recognition to those businesses whose principles reflect the same type of care, compassion, investment and entrepreneurial spirit that was represented by their predecessors. Today’s leaders must have continued the tradition of commitment to excellence and continue to elevate their presence as a business, by bringing great distinction to the original path and have preserved the inherited legacy):
    2019 Hall of Fame Inductees: Vetter Stone Company

    Distinguished Business Award (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; demonstrates qualities of entrepreneurship by assuming the risk of organizing, developing and managing a successful business enterprise in Greater Mankato):
    2019 Distinguished Business: Freedom Home Care, LLC

    Brian Fazio Business Education Partnership Award (Each year, recognizes partnerships that enhance education and business in Greater Mankato)
    2019 Brian Fazio Business Education Partnership Award: ISD#77, ISD#2071, ISD#2135, ISD#75, ISD#507 and Feeding Our Communities Partners (FOCP)

    Hap Halligan Leadership Award (Each year, recognizes an outstanding individual who has participated in the Greater Mankato Leadership Institute program and has demonstrated exemplary creative or innovative contributions to the community):
    2019 Hap Halligan Leadership Award: Laura Bowman, 1998-99

    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 be actively involved in welcoming young professionals to learn, live, work and engage in Greater Mankato)
    2019 Young Professional of the Year: Angela Guentzel

    Visit Mankato Awards

    Bring It Home Award (recognizes an individual, group or organization that works alongside Visit Mankato to bring a significant event to Greater Mankato): Aussie Peppers

    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): Justin Ek/Bellissimo Paint & Coatings

    City Center Partnership Awards

    City Design Awards of Excellence recognize outstanding architectural design enhancements that elevate and spark the perceptions of the City Center in regard to renovation, new construction, beautification efforts and public art (permanent or temporary). This also includes projects that celebrate and preserve historic buildings or landscapes and incorporate sustainable elements into any of such projects. The categories are:

    Renovation $1,000,000 – $3,000,000: Carlson-Tillisch Eye Clinic

    Renovation under $500,000: Bumbelou

    Sustainability: Hubbard Building

    Downtown Detail: Stoltzman Park

    Creative Placemaking: ChalkFest

    CityArt “People’s Choice” Award: To be revealed at event

    GreenSeam Awards

    Seamed in Success Award 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 shined a light on the importance of agriculture, with an emphasis on rural vitality building upon our agricultural roots.

    2019 Seamed in Success: Farmamerica

    Growing in the GreenSeam Award 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.
    2019 Growing in the GreenSeam: Revol Greens

    Register for your tickets to the 2019 Greater Mankato Business Awards & Hall of Fame online: greatermankato.com/hall-fame.

    About Greater Mankato Growth, Inc.

    Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. is comprised of four business units: Greater Mankato Growth, the regional chamber of commerce and economic development organization; Visit Mankato, the local convention and visitor’s bureau; City Center Partnership, a downtown development organization; and GreenSeam which utilizes agriculture to build on the region’s extensive agribusiness assets to develop the ag economy.