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GROW • NETWORK • PROFIT JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012
President’s Letter Editor’s Note Business Calendar Network Central Top Hats
6 8 14 1918
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PROFIT
10 News ReelWhat’s happening and who’s moving. Business news from around Central Minnesota.
10 Book ReviewThe Trust Edge: How Top Leaders Gain Faster Results, Deeper Relationships, and a Stronger Bottom Line, by David Horsager
12 Your Voice In GovernmentThe New Normal Changing demographics demand that government examine and restructure its operations.
13 People to Know
16 The Trouble with Business Partners The best partnerships start with a written agreement.
UpfrontNETWORK
GROW
20 TechStrategiesClean Your House Before the Party Developing, organizing and implementing user-focused content is the first step to increasing search engine rankings for your website.
22 Management Tool KitGame-ChangerA new report from the National Labor Relations Board suggests social media policies often go too far and are not enforceable.
24 Plan Now for CompliancePrivate employers—unionized or not—must soon post the NLRB notice of collective bargaining rights.
26 Economy Central presented by Falcon BankHolding SteadyCentral Minnesota’s cost wof living remains below national average. NEW! A graphical look at Central Minnesota’s economy.
BusinessTools
•• Fascinating People You’ve Never Heard Of
•• Traits of a Successful Entrepreneur
•• Mini-Trends
•• Top 10 Technologies of the 9/11 Age
ONLY ONLINE
www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com
PROFIT
36 FeatureWhat’s Your Plan?Companies should plan ahead to avoid the potentially crippling impact of unexpected events.
40 Special FocusRethinking Risk
46 Business SpotlightMCI Carpet One Floor & Home
Special Section41 Health Care
This Issue
30 COVER STORY MUSIC MEN Managing Bobby Vee’s career and traveling the world in his band turned out to be more than just a good time for his sons, Jeff and Tommy Velline. It also turned out to be good business.
IN EVERY ISSUE
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6 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
I t seems as if everyone is talking about
economic development these days.
A great approach is for community partners
to assume responsibility for the chunk of the
economy they can most effectively develop,
and do it as well as possible.
The City of St. Cloud has established an
Economic Development Authority, chaired
by Stearns Electric Association District
Manager David Gruenes, with a new City
Director of Economic Development, Cathy
Mehelich. This department now assists
businesses with technical tools and financing
alternatives that make it easier to build and
expand. The department must be housed in a
unit of government (city or county) to apply
for available government funding.
The Greater St. Cloud Development
Corporation hired John Kramer as its CEO.
At the top of its strategy to develop our area
economy: re-establishing air service to the
St. Cloud Regional Airport. The organization
markets our entire region to businesses
outside of our area as a great place to live,
work and do business.
Your Chamber pursues economic
development, too. Our mission is to create,
enhance and maintain a healthy business
environment, which means developing our
economy through the expansion and growth
of our member businesses.
In this issue of Business Central we are
introducing two pages of graphs that
benchmark and track economic trends in
Central Minnesota. You can search out the
information in these charts – it’s all public
information – but we’ve decided to do it for
you. We’re putting it here to make it easy for
you to find and follow.
Why are we doing this? During past
Grow Minnesota! business retention calls,
we have heard business owners discuss
how important this information is to them.
The charts provide an easy and useful way
to track trends that aid in good business
decisions. We hope you find them helpful.
Another way your Chamber assists with
developing the area economy is by bringing
conventions and tourists to our community
through the services of our Convention
and Visitors Bureau. Our pursuit of funding
for the expanded Rivers Edge Convention
Center furthers the goal of bringing more
people here to spend the night and spend
their money.
We advocate for business-friendly
legislation and ordinances at local, state
and national levels of government. We
help business owners understand and
sometimes cut through government red tape.
We provide the best business-to-business
networking in our community, and we
present cost-effective training options for
small business owners and their employees.
Economic development is like a puzzle
with all community partners putting forth
their best efforts to make sure their pieces
keep Central Minnesota a strong, vibrant and
growing area.
Teresa BohnenPresident
Main Phone | 320-251-2940
Automated Reservation Line | 320-251-2940, ext. 126
Program Hotline | 320-251-2940, ext. 125
www.StCloudAreaChamber.com
email: [email protected]
ST. CLOUD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STAFF
President | Teresa Bohnen, ext. 104
Vice President | Gail Ivers, ext. 109
Director of Administration | Judy Zetterlund, ext. 106
Special Events Coordinator | Virginia Kroll, ext. 105
Membership Sales Specialist | Wendy Franzwa, ext. 134
Administrative Assistant | Vicki Lenneman, ext. 122
Administrative Assistant | Cindy Swarthout , ext. 100
Administrative Assistant | Sharon Henry, ext. 124
Communications Intern | Alexa Sandbakken
CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU STAFF
Executive Director | Julie Lunning, ext. 111
Sales Manager | Lori Cates, ext. 113
Director of Sales & Marketing | Judy Okerstrom, ext. 112
Director of Sports & Special Events | Kelly Sayre, ext. 128
Director of Visitor Services | Jean Robbins , ext. 129
Receptionist | Nikki Fisher, ext. 100
2011-12 BOARD MEMBERS
Jim Beck | Minnesota School of Business
Gary Berg | G.L. Berg Entertainment, Performing Artists & Speakers
Craig Broman | St. Cloud Hospital/CentraCare Health System, Board Vice Chair
Linda Feuling | Westside Liquor
Neil Franz | Neils-Franz-Chirhart, Attorneys at Law
Todd Fritz | InteleCONNECT, Inc.
Jayne Greeney Schill | St. Cloud Area School District #742
Diane Hageman | College of Saint Benedict
Steve Hahn | HahnMark, LLC
John Herges | Falcon National Bank
Scott Johnson | Times Media
Dolora Musech | Batteries Plus
Kris Nelson | Custom Accents, Inc.
Bernadette Perryman | Past Board Chair
Rick Poganski | Principal Financial Group
Dr. Earl Potter, III | St. Cloud State University
Jodi Speicher | The Good Shepherd Community
Bill Winter | St. Cloud Federal Credit Union,Board Chair
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NETWORK
Economic Development:Everyone’s Responsibility
Our mission is to create, enhance and maintain a
healthy business environment, which means developing
our economy through the expansion and growth of our
member businesses.
February 29 - March 1, 2012 | St. Cloud, Minnesota
Green Economic GrowthHow Natural Resources Will Shape Our Economy & Community
This year’s exciting program features:
• Keynote speeches by
• Our annual economic outlook panel withScott Anderson, Wells FargoKing Banaian, St. Cloud State UniversityJames Hamilton, University of California, San DiegoSteve Hine, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
• A new business panel “Going Green: The Whys and the Hows” with regional entrepreneurs and innovators
• A luncheon speech with Chris Farrell, Economics Editor, Marketplace Money, American Public Radio
For more information about our program and registration, please visit
www.stcloudstate.edu/winterinstitute
Richard Morgenstern Resources for the
Future & Former Director, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Lynn Scarlett Resources for the Future
& Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior
James Hamilton University of California,
San Diego, & co-author of the blog Econbrowser
8 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
Gail IversVice President
Editor
Last spring I found myself standing outside
the locked doors of Rockhouse Productions
(see the story on page 30) with no way to
reach the proprietors. I thought we had an interview
appointment, but unable to confirm, I was at a loss.
I knew that Jim McAlister, owner of Tell-A-Vision
Productions, had an office in the basement of the
Rockhouse Productions building. I wandered to the
back of the building, pushed open the basement door
and headed down the stairs calling out Jim’s name.
It was my good fortune that Jim had attended
Chamber Connection that morning and then
proceeded to his office following the meeting.
I explained the reason for my unexpected arrival
and without a pause, Jim pulled out his phone
and called Jeff Velline. Yes, Jeff knew he had an
appointment. He was running late. Could I wait?
He’d meet me in about 15 minutes.
Gratefully I thanked Jim and proceeded to leave,
planning to wait for the Vellines at the local coffee shop.
Jim would have none of that. “Stay Gail. Have
some toast. I won a loaf of Johnny Bread today at
Chamber Connection and I was just going to have
a piece of toast. Here, have some orange juice. How
about jam?” And with that Jim turned my awkward
moment into an entertaining coffee break.
This simple kindness reminded me of a camping
trip I took to Yellowstone National Park following
high school graduation. My friend, Jennifer, and I
had planned that trip since we were in 6th grade.
It involved a stop in the Badlands, two days in the
Black Hills and a week in Yellowstone.
Our second night out as we prepared supper,
the tiny kerosene camp stove we brought along
refused to light. Veterans of campfire cooking,
we were stumped.
As we struggled and fussed over the stove,
finally determining we would have to buy firewood,
a neighboring camper strolled up. A former
Minnesotan, he remarked about noticing our
Minnesota license plate and we chatted about places
we knew in common. Then he asked us what the
problem with the stove was. We explained and he
suggested putting a little cooking oil on the plunger
used to pump the tank. We tried and the stove
immediately started working.
We thanked him and asked how we could possibly
repay him.
“The best way to repay a kindness,” he said,
“is to pass it on.”
Random Acts of Kindness
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NETWORK
“Stay Gail. Have some toast. I won a loaf of Johnny Bread today at Chamber Connection and I was just going to have a piece of toast.
Here, have some orange juice. How about jam?”
Phot
o by
Joe
l But
kow
ski,
BD
I Pho
togr
aphy
Jim McAlister,
Tell-A-Vision
Productions
shares a cup of
coffee with editor
Gail Ivers.
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 9
Publisher Teresa Bohnen
Managing Editor Gail Ivers
Associate Editor Dawn Zimmerman
CONTRIBUTING WRITERSFred Hill
St. Cloud State University
Gail Ivers St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
Sharon Henry St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
Mikaela Krenzen The Flint Group/Hatlingflint
Dorraine A. Larison and Mark S. Mathison Gray Plant Mooty.
David Olson Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Alexa Sandbakken St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
Larry Schumacher Wordbender Communications, LLC
Dawn Zimmerman The Write Advantage
ADVERTISINGAssociate Publisher/Sales
Wendy Hendricks, Hendricks Marketing
Ad Traffic & Circulation Yola Hartmann, Hazel Tree Media
ARTDesign & Production
Yola Hartmann, Hazel Tree Media
Cover Photo Joel Butkowski, BDI Photography
ACCOUNTINGAccountant Judy Zetterlund
110 Sixth Avenue South P.O. Box 487, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0487
Phone (320) 251-2940 • Fax (320) 251-0081 www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com
For advertising information contact Wendy Hendricks,
(320) 656-3808, 110 S. 6th Ave., P.O. Box 487, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0487.
Editorial suggestions can be made in writing to: Editor, Business Central,
P.O. Box 487, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0487. Submission of materials does not guarantee publication. Unsolicited materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped,
self-addressed envelope.
© Copyright 2011 Business Central LLC
Business Central is published six times a year by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce,
110 Sixth Avenue South P.O. Box 487, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0487
Phone (320) 251-2940 • Fax (320) 251-0081Subscription rate: $18 for 1 year.
Phot
o by
Joe
l But
kow
ski,
BD
I Pho
togr
aphy
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The Currency of BusinessIf trust is the currency of business, then it might well determine the success of an enterprise.
BOOK REVIEW
By Fred Hill
The dust cover on
The Trust Edge reads:
“[David] Horsager writes
that trust is a quantifiable
competency that brings
dramatic results. The lower
the trust, the more time
everything takes, the more
everything costs, and the
lower the loyalty of everyone
involved.”
It has been said that trust,
not money, is the currency of
business and life. If this is so,
then trust as a quantifiable
competency might well
determine the health and
success of an enterprise.
This book is organized
into five parts: The Case for
Trust, The Eight Pillars of
Trust, Transforming Trust,
Deep Trust in a Flat World
and Courageous Trust. Part
II, The Eight Pillars of Trust,
might be particularly useful.
They are Clarity, Compassion,
Character, Competency,
Commitment, Connection,
Contribution, and Consistency.
Pillar Three, Character,
seems to be especially
insightful. Horsager notes
that “people notice those who
do what is right over what is
easy.” Business and political
discussions — wherever one
goes — seem to consistently
make the point of doing what
is right. It should be an easy
choice to make. Sadly, it often
is not.
David Horsager tells of the
two dimensions of trust. They
are time and depth.
He says, “Deep trust is
generally established over
time. It can withstand adversity
and is often born of personal
experiences.” Time and depth
are in constant interplay and
have a huge influence on the
strength of trustworthiness.
Trust is always a risk.
Horsager discusses 12 barriers
to overcome in building
trust. They include conflicts
of interest, technology, fear,
and negative experiences.
Each of the 12 might not
be found at every location.
Moreover, certain ones could
have priority over others. But,
they are there and they can
be overcome. This book has
an abundance of help and
support to do so.
Horsager has written an
excellent work, with many
pages of things to discuss,
think about, and apply.
There are also 14 pages of
references, including many
websites, magazines, and
trade journals. BC
Dr. Fred E. Hill is a professor of
Learning Resources Services at
St. Cloud State University.
The Trust Edge:
How Top Leaders Gain
Faster Results, Deeper
Relationships, and
a Stronger Bottom
Line, by David Horsager,
Summerside Press,
Minneapolis, MN • 2010 •
ISBN 978-1-60936-133-4
Strack Companies promotes staffJohn D. Nack has been named Chief Operating Officer of Strack Companies and will assume corporate management duties of the St. Cloud-based firm. As COO, Nack will direct the firm’s daily operations. Matthew S. Strack has been named vice president. Strack Companies currently operates in four states serving the private commercial and industrial markets with projects in all segments with special emphasis in health care and food processing.
Doherty Staffing Solutions earns CertificationDoherty Staffing Solutions is the first in Minnesota to be awarded Workers’ Compensation Risk Certification (WRC). WRC recognizes staffing companies that practice best-in-class risk management to reduce workplace injuries and related costs.
GNP Company wins Meatingplace’s 2011 Jesse Jewell Award Gold’n Plump Poultry grew, changed its name to GNP Company, and now has won the Jesse Jewell Award given by industry publication, Meatingplace. Each year, the Jesse Jewell Award is given to “a poultry processor whose products, processes or overall approach to marketing or management have improved not only its own bottom line, but raised the standard of excellence for the entire poultry industry, just as Jesse Jewell did.”
NEWSREEL
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Book Review Point of View Your Voice in Government People to Know Business Calendar It Happened When? The Trouble with Business
Nack Strack
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 11
If you’re looking for financial resources to take your business to the next level, count us in. For decades, Bremer bankers have been helping movers and shakers all across the region. We have the resources and the business savvy to help you get where you want to go – locally or globally. Talk to a Bremer business banker near you.
NO MORE STATUS QUO.JOIN ME.
COUNT US IN.Downtown St. Cloud • 251-3300 West St. Cloud • 656-3300Sauk Rapids • 252-1938 Sartell • 255-7121 Rice • 393-26001-800-908-BANK (2265) Bremer.com Member FDIC. © 2012 Bremer Financial Corporation. All rights reserved.
BRE1006A6BCM 4.875x7.375.indd 1 11/28/11 3:06 PM
POINT OF VIEW
Business Central asked readers:
“What kind of person would you consider to be the ideal networker?”Shari WahlinBig Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Minnesota
“Somebody who is easy to approach and is comfortable approaching others.”
Chris LeDucSt. Cloud Area Family YMCA
“Someone who can move gracefully through multiple conversations while making everyone feel important.”
Corey BoeCartridge World
“Someone who is willing to talk to people and put themselves ‘out there.’”
Justin WackerSteam Brothers/SB Restoration
“A very outgoing individual- someone who’s not shy and is willing to take chances.”
Laura Tangen Edina Realty
“The ideal networker is outgoing, friendly, likes to talk to new people, and is confident about the business he or she works for.”
12 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
Convene a conversation
with Tom Stinson or
Tom Gillaspy, and the
“New Normal” is likely
to quickly surface. For years,
the state economist and state
demographer have warned that
changing demographics demand
that government examine and
restructure its operations.
Now you can add the
voice of the statewide
business community to the
call for greater government
efficiency, as revealed in the
annual Minnesota Business
Barometer Survey conducted
by the Minnesota Chamber
of Commerce and Himle
Horner, Inc. No one suggests
that government redesign
alone can solve the cycle of
budget shortfalls. But four in
10 respondents believe that
restructuring services can make
a significant dent.
Stinson and Gillaspy were
in unison as they described
the New Normal at a session
of Leadership Minnesota, a
Minnesota Chamber program
that focuses on the state’s
changing economy and the
issues that will shape its future.
What does this all mean? We
are presented a whole new set
of opportunities, Stinson and
Gillaspy say. Government at
all levels must embrace a new
mind-set as it examines what
products and services to provide
and how to deliver them. We
must meet the challenge to
preserve the Minnesota quality
of life.
Initial steps were taken
at the 2011 legislature, and
more work remains if we are
to restore long-term stability
to Minnesota’s balance sheet.
Reform will be a common
thread in the Minnesota
Chamber 2012 agenda. Among
our preliminary initiatives:
Adopt priority-based budgeting.
Examine all public programs and
services and stop simply building
a budget based on past practices.
Implement the federal waivers in the
Medicaid system as a follow-up to
the 2011 legislation.
Purchase services through
competitive sourcing. Evaluate those
commercial services performed
by government agencies on the
basis of efficiency and customer
service.
Reform the prevailing wage law.
The current calculation tends
to increase taxpayer costs for
state-funded projects.
Evaluate highway projects. Ensure
management systems are in
place so taxpayers receive
the greatest value for their
transportation dollars.
Reform public employee
compensation and benefits. These
systems must align more closely
with what is provided in the
private sector.
Creativity and innovation
have enabled businesses to
survive the recession and,
in many instances, emerge
stronger. Similar principles
must guide government if
Minnesotans are to adjust to
the New Normal. It won’t be
easy, but as Stinson and Gillaspy
suggest, “Creative destruction/
disruptive innovation will
change the way we deliver
services.”
NEWSREEL YOUR VOICE IN GOVERNMENT
The New NormalChanging demographics demand that government examine and restructure its operations. By David C. Olson
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NETWORK
Wolf joins BirthlineSara Wolf has joined Birthline, Inc. as director of development. Birthline is a local
nonprofit organization serving women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy.
Kellen named Minn. Transit Professional of the YearTony Kellen, director of operations and
technology for Metro Bus, was named Minnesota Transit Professional of the Year at the Minnesota Public Transit Association annual conference in St. Paul. This award is presented to individuals who have designed and implemented specific programs demonstrating innovative concepts or effective problem-solving techniques of proven value.
Nurse practitioner joins HealthPartnersNicole Marti, Certified Nurse
Practitioner, joined HealthPartners Central Minnesota Clinics. Marti is a graduate of Minnesota State University in Moorhead and received her Family Nurse Practitioner Certification from Minnesota State University in Mankato.
PineCone Vision Center staff attain certification, join committeeDr. Nicolas Colatrella and
Dr. Stacy Hinkemeyer of PineCone Vision Center have attained American Board of Optometry Certification. This voluntary process establishes standards demonstrating that the doctor has exceeded basic requirements and maintains the appropriate knowledge, skills, and experience needed to deliver quality patient care. Jennifer Novak, practice administrator at PineCone Vision Center, has joined the American Optometric Association’s Para Optometric Awards and Recognition Committee.
Wolf
Kellen
Marti
Novak
About the writerDavid Olson is president of the Minnesota
Chamber of Commerce. For more information,
visit www.mnchamber.com.
What is the New Normal?•• An aging population and more diverse workforce.
•• Slower economic growth. Scarcity of labor and talent.
•• Greater demand for public services.
•• Chronic government deficits and cuts in service.
The statewide business
community stands ready to
help government rethink how
it can deliver services at lower
per-capita cost and still preserve
Minnesotans’ quality of life. BC
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 13
PEOPLE TO KNOW
DAVE BORGERTSt. Cloud Hospital/CentraCare Health SystemPhone: (320) 229-4978E-mail: [email protected], Government Affairs Committee, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
–––––––––––The Government Affairs Committee researches legislative issues, makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding legislative policy positions, organizes trips to the Capitol and legislative updates during the session, and maintains contact with area legislators and other elected officials throughout the year.
ROGER SCHLEPERPremier Real Estate ServicesPhone: (320) 259-4554Email: [email protected], Membership Division, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce–––––––––––
The Membership Division is responsible for all marketing and membership activities, including workforce development, networking programs and all of the Chamber’s special events.
TAMMY HANSENMinnesota School of BusinessPhone: (320) 257-2000Email: [email protected], VIP Committee, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce–––––––––––
The VIP (Value Information Promotion) Retention Committee calls on Chamber members to share information about coming events, inquire about membership satisfaction, and encourage businesses to take full advantage of their membership.
GREG THEISGreg E. Theis RemodelingPhone: (320) 253-2312E-mail: [email protected], Central Minnesota Farm Show Committee, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
–––––––––––This committee is responsible for planning and organizing the Central Minnesota Farm Show, the largest agri-business expo of its type in the Upper Midwest. The annual three-day show starts the last Tuesday in February at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud.
MATT KILIANInitiative FoundationPhone: (320) 632-9255E-mail: [email protected], Marketing Committee, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce–––––––––––
The Marketing Committee is responsible for the over-all marketing efforts of the Chamber of Commerce, including communication materials, advertising, publications, the website, promotional programs, and organizational research.
Now onlineVisit www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com
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Find out how Marco helped a university attract athletic recruits from around the world with state-of-the-art A/V technology. For more information, visit www.marconet.com/GetNoticed
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It’s All in The DeliveryAdd Impact To Your Communications
14 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
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NETWORK
BUSINESS CALENDAR
Government AffairsA discussion of local government issues on the second Friday of the month
7:30 - 9 a.m
Location: Chamber office, 110 S 6th Ave.January 13: “The River’s Edge Convention Center – Expansion Update and Bonding Progress”Special Event, January 24: Session Priorities Banquet with the Minnesota Chamber at River Center, St. Paul, MN, from 4-9 p.m.
Waite Park Chamberor businesses interested in doing business in Waite Park. Lunch is provided by the host when you register at least two days in advance.
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: Waite Park City Hall, 19 13th Ave. N, Waite Park.
January 18: Hosted by Rejuv Medical with
guest speaker King Banaian, St. Cloud State University, discussing Central Minnesota’s economy. February 15: Hosted by Minnwest Bank
Sauk Rapids ChamberFor businesses interested in doing business in Sauk Rapids. Lunch is provided by the host when you register at least two days in advance.
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m
Location: Good Shepherd Fellowship Hall, 1115 4th Ave. N, Sauk RapidsJanuary 26: Hosted by BankVista with guest speaker Julia Krengel, Rejuv Medical, presenting “Post Holiday Plan: Realistic Health Goals and Nutrition Tips.” February 23: Hosted by Liquid Assets/Westside Learning & Events Center with guest speaker Lisa Braun, City of St. Cloud, discussing the Community Emergency Response Team
Business After HoursA complimentary open house for Chamber members and guests. Bring lots of business cards and prepare to grow your network!
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Can’t-miss opportunities to influence, promote, and learn JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012
Visit events.StCloudAreaChamber.com for a detailed calendar.
NEWSREEL
KDV expands with merger David B. Campbell, Ltd. Has merged with KDV. The merger broadens KDV’s portfolio of expertise, services and clients as it strengthens its presence in the Twin Cities. Because of the merger, KDV is now one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in Minnesota.
Brewington appointed to BoardJared A. Brewington, Green Energy
Products, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of Compatible Technology International.
Clifton Gunderson, LarsonAllen announce mergerClifton Gunderson and LarsonAllen, ranked as two of the nation’s top 20 certified public accounting and consulting firms, announced plans to merge and form one of the top 10 accounting firms in the United States. The merger took effect Jan. 2, 2012. The new firm is called CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA).
CLA has more than $550 million in combined revenue, employs more than 3,600 professionals, including 500-plus partners, and operates from 25 states and Washington, D.C.
Big Brothers Big Sisters receives $300,000 donation The Federated Insurance Foundation donated $300,000 to BBBS of Central Minnesota. The donation comes from funds that were raised at the Federated Challenge for Kids of Minnesota (FC). Since 2005, BBBS of Central Minnesota has received $1.6 million from the FC, which represents the largest single source of funding in the organization’s history.
Brewington
Lunchtime LearningEducational networking events that give busy professionals a chance to stay on the cutting edge. Meets the first Wednesday of the month, noon-1 p.m. at the Chamber office, 110 S 6th Ave.
January 4 •• Sponsored by Executive Express with speaker Sharon Sorenson, Heartland Organizing, presenting “Get Organized Month: Learn to A.C.T. (audit, commit, tackle)” Registration is required: $15 for Chamber members, $22 for the general public.
January 12: Hosted by Northwest Professional Center, at 2351 Connecticut Avenue, SartellFebruary 16: Hosted by Gaslight Creative, LLC, at 501 West Saint Germain, Suite 304
For information on these or other business events, call 320-251-2940
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 15
IT HAPPENED WHEN?
March 1977
•• The Material Handlers Show is now known as The Central Minnesota Farm Show. This show has grown to be the largest show of its kind in the Upper Midwest. In 2012, the show will take place at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center, featuring 300 booths and over 4,000 attendees.
•• Jerry “Peanut” Hagemeier (L) and Ron Theisen of Traut Well Drilling also appeared at the Material Handlers Show in March 1977. When the original owners dissolved the company in 1982, Mark and Dave Traut revived the business, calling
it Mark J. Traut Wells. Best known as Traut Companies, the company now drills nationwide, and was named “St. Cloud Area Small Business of the Year” in 1998.
•• St. Cloud Area Vocational Technical Institute, now known as St. Cloud Technical and Community College, advertised the programs at the school at the Material Handlers Show in 1977. Today, the college has 90-plus majors and serves over 12,000 students each year.
What’s in a name? Crossroads Center was the site of the Material Handlers Show in March 1977. What’s changed since then?
16 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
There can be huge advantages to a business
partnership. You can work together to make
something better than you could have
individually, and you can build off each other’s
strengths. Starting a new business requires many
different skills in the areas of invention, marketing,
sales, accounting, and much more. How do you
know if you should enter into business with a
partner?
According to the “Starting a Business Guide” in
the Wall Street Journal, “taking on business partners
should be reserved for when a partnership is
critical to success,” whether because of finances,
connections, or skills. Consider whether it might be
better to hire the other person as an employee or
contractor instead.
If you decide to move forward with a
partnership, you need to have an attorney draft
a legal agreement spelling out the arrangement.
In addition to outlining financial issues, it should
explain the roles and responsibilities of each
partner, how the workload will be divided, how
conflict will be handled, and how a partner can
leave. If it’s down on paper, you won’t have to
worry about this later.
If you decide to partner in business with a
friend, make sure you both realize that you will
now have a business relationship. You’ll need to
establish firm ground rules. Your “values, goals
and personalities need to be aligned toward profit,”
explains Brad Sugars, author of What to Consider
Before Teaming Up With a Partner.
As partners, you’ll need to have shared vision
about your company’s short-term and long-term
goals. What do you want to happen in one year?
What about in five or ten years? As the business
PARTNERS
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NETWORK
THE TROUBLE WITH BUSINESSNEWSREEL
Jewell joins Quinlivan & HughesSarah R. Jewell recently joined the law firm of Quinlivan & Hughes, PA.
Jewell started as a law clerk with the firm in June 2010 and was admitted to the Minnesota Bar in October 2011. She received her J.D. from Hamline University School of Law.
CSB, SJU are No. 1 in study abroad participationFor the second consecutive year, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University are ranked No. 1 nationally among baccalaureate institutions with students who participate in mid-length study abroad programs, according to a report by the Institute of International Education (IIE).
Compiled by Alexa Sandbakken
Jewell
The best partnerships start with a written agreement. By Alexa Sandbakken
HEALTHCARE CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING SPECIALISTS
320.393.3185 | www.boserconstruction.com
At Boser, we deliver a single-source construction solution. From design to move in, we effectively coordinate and deliver
results for a variety of healthcare new construction & remodeling projects. But it is our certifications, thoughtful planning and attention
to detail that has made Boser Construction a leader in the commercial construction industry for 15 years.
WE TAKE HEALTHCARE CONSTRUCTION SERIOUSLY.
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J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 17
Think it ThroughCherie Burbach, author of 5 Things to Ask Yourself Before Going Into Business With A Friend, recommends that you consider the following before developing a business partnership:
How well do you and your future partner resolve conflict? If your potential partner clashes with you over simple disagreements, think about how work conflicts will be resolved. You might decide to have an impartial third-party to act as a mediator for arguments.
Does your partner have habits that annoy you? Just like in marriage, it’s the little things that can aggravate you the most. Is your partner lazy, disorganized, or a procrastinator? How will these
traits affect the business and your partnership? You need to decide how to get past the little things in order to prevent them from becoming big things.
How much time will you put toward the business? A new business takes a lot of time and hard work. How much time can each partner put toward the business? How will this affect other obligations? Be on the same page with your partner about time expectations.
grows, how will you adjust? Your partner may have
different ideas about success for your company. Make
sure you have shared expectations and goals.
You’ll also want to determine each person’s
strengths and weaknesses. Do you have the same
kind of work ethic and values? Good communication
is one of the keys to success. You must be able to
share honestly and openly with your partner,
about both the good and the bad.
Finally, you’ll need to have strategies in place for
people to enter and exit the partnership. As your
business grows, family members such as spouses or
children may wish to join. How will they become
part of the business plan? Exit strategies are also
important. Decide how things will be divided if or
when a partner leaves as well as how each partner
will be compensated. Having a plan in place ahead of
time will prevent problems. BC
Alexa Sandbakken was the communications intern at the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce in fall 2011.
18 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
Grow!St. Cloud Area Chamber Leadership Program participants spent two days earlier this year learning about leadership styles, ethics, and each other.
Profıt!The Chamber’s annual Technology and Education Conference gives vendors the opportunity to show off their latest products and services, while providing valuable information to participants.
Network!Team Daylily Spa Salon won the networking challenge at the 2011 Chamber Connection birthday party. Daylily was one of several birthday party sponsors.
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NETWORK
NETWORK CENTRAL
Larry Logeman, Executive Express, helped class members develop a personal mission statement.
Dr. Julia Espe, St. Cloud School District 742, discussed ethical leadership and the behaviors that make for ethical leaders.
Bruce Miles, The Big River Group, helped class members determine their leadership styles.
The Leadership program involves group interaction, discussion, and plenty of networking
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 19
One Hour Heating & A/C, 2 21st Ave. S, St. Cloud. Pictured: Owen Peterson, Don Opheim and Shannon Templin.
The Apothecary, pharmacy, compounded and natural medications, 165 19th St. S, Suite 102, Sartell. Pictured: Chris Panek, Steve Mareck, Steve Anderson and Jason Bernick.
Cooking for Fun! Recreational cooking school for kids and adults, 408 Great Oak Drive, Waite Park. Pictured: Inese Mehr, Russ Panek, Chris Panek and Tauna Quimby.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, financial services, 49 2nd Ave. N, Waite Park. Pictured: Roger Schleper, Erik Hanson, Steve Reetz and Brenda Eisenschenk.
IRET Properties, owner and operator of apartment communities and commercial properties in the St. Cloud and surrounding area, 4150 2nd St. S, Suite 410, St. Cloud. Pictured: Owen Peterson, Claudia Notermann, RoseAnn Wong, Andy Martin, Angie Janni, Chad Bloom, April Jacques and Roger Schleper.
The Good Shepherd Community, a comprehensive senior retirement community and nursing home, 1115 4th Ave. N, Sauk Rapids. Pictured: Diane Ohmann, Jodi Speicher, Good Shepherd Community board member Terry Kurash, Roger Schleper, Chad Spoden, and Rhonda Pohl.
St. Cloud Camera & Photo, camera equipment and services, including photo processing, 212 Waite Ave. S, St. Cloud. Pictured: Bob Lien, Diane Larson and Brenda Eisenschenk.
Uncle Sam’s Flag & Pole, full service flagpole business offering residential/commercial sales and installation, 1413 W Division St., Waite Park. Pictured: Roger Schleper, Rick Zimmer, Aaron Kranz and Inese Mehr.
The Legends at Heritage Place, senior campus for 55+, independent living, assisted living townhomes, 673 Brianna Drive, Sartell. Pictured: Kris Nelson, Jodi Dotson, Melinda Fast, Lynn Johnson, David Muellner and Jason Bernick.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, financial services, 549 25th Ave. N, St. Cloud. Pictured: Roger Schleper, Tim Ronning and Bob Lien.
TOP HATS | New Locations, New Ownership & Expansions
TOP HATS | New Members
TOP HATS | New Businesses
St. Cloud Surgical Center1526 Northway Drive • St. Cloud • 251-8385 • 800-349-7272
www.stcsurgicalcenter.com
We are here when you need us!
Accredited byAccreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.
We are here when you need us!
Continuing to Make a Difference!
Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence
in Caring for You!
Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence
in Caring for You!
INFORMATION
Job Number 364-11190 Trim 3.625” x 4.875” December 16, 2011 12 p.m.
Client Grand Casino Bleed 3.875” x 5.125” Output Date 12/16/11
Description Mtg & Con. Ad Quarter Page Live % Printed 100
File Name 364-11190 Meeting & Convention Print Ad [3.625x4.875]
SIGN-OFF
[ ] CD Chris Preston
[ ] AD Anne Taylor
[ ] CW Terry Thomas
[ ] AM Laura Linn
[ ] AS Mark Jenson
[ ] PM Krista Kraabel
Notes
Quarter page ad
1
We’ll make sure your meeting hits the jackpot.
Let us make your next meeting, banquet, or special event truly memorable. With two spacious casino
hotels, 24-hour gaming action and award-winning dining, we
Grand Casino Mille Lacs Events & Convention Center
For more details, call800-626-5825, ext. 8515
Grand Casino Hinckley Events & Convention Center
For more details, call877-447-2631
grandcasinomn.com
20 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
Search engine optimization (SEO)
has two major divisions. On-page
SEO employs optimizing techniques
on your website pages — using keywords
in page titles and copy is one common
technique. Off-page SEO involves driving
traffic to your website and increasing your
popularity. Generating links from trusted
websites greatly boosts off-page SEO
performance.
For this article, I’ll focus on the former
category. I firmly believe you need to clean
up your house (in this case–your website)
before you can invite people over. While
off-page SEO factors can often have a
quicker, more significant impact on your
search rankings, it won’t serve any good if
you don’t have the music (or content) to
entertain your guests. Build your on-page
elements first, then work on sending your
invitations.
Do your research
Research is necessary to develop an
effective search strategy. What keywords
would you like people to use to find your
content? Start by developing a seed list of
all the relevant terms that come to mind.
To refine it further use a free tool, such as
Google AdWords external keyword tool to build
a list of attainable keywords to include in
your website.
Organize your contentContent themes should be broken into
separate pages within your site architecture,
but there must be enough valuable
content to support a full page. Since critical
keyword placements are limited, separate
pages can maximize exposure for the
keywords.
ImplementOnce your research and site architecture
are complete – get to work! Create separate
pages for each theme and start plugging
target keywords (1-2 per page) into these
trigger locations:
Include selected keywords in the HTML page title and page URL. Located near the top of
the page, these locations will be a first stop for
automated web crawlers. Both are included on
the search results page – with bolded keywords,
if you play your cards right.
Remember keyword inclusion in your copy. Headlines and sub-heads are important placements for keywords. You should also
include references within the body copy
and in anchor text of cross-links that exist
elsewhere on the site. Another great spot
for keywords is an alt tag associated with a
photograph, as long as it represents the
image accurately.
Include target keywords in the meta keyword and meta description tags. Many have denounced the importance of
these tags; however, they should not be
disregarded entirely. Although the meta
keywords tag is hidden to the average user,
it helps set the tone for the page and
establishes a guideline for copywriters.
The meta description tag will display in some
search results and allows you to control the
message delivered to potential customers.
Don’t force it! If it feels and sounds unnatural, then
search engine crawlers and site visitors will
probably interpret it the same way. Find
a healthy balance between on-page SEO
elements and readable, valuable content
– keeping in mind that the latter is most
critical to a website’s success. BC
Mikaela Krenzen is a digital/interactive
strategist with the Flint Group/Hatlingflint.
Her focus is on search engine optimization
(SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM).
She is certified in Google AdWords.
TECH STRATEGIES
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Clean Your House Before the PartyDeveloping, organizing and implementing user-focused content is the first step to increasing search engine rankings for your website. By Mikaela Krenzen
Tech Strategies Tech News Game-Changer Working Well Compliance Economy Central presented by Falcon Bank
20 21 22 23 24 26
Now onlineFor more information visit www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com.
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 21
NOT YOU FATHER’S VENDING MACHINEVending machines are becoming interactive. Accepting credit cards is just the beginning. Now you can purchase in bulk with just one payment or use a touch screen to find out the nutritional information about your desired purchase.
Android users love their apps!
BY THE NUMBERS DID YOU KNOW?
1 billion the number of Android apps that were downloaded by 2010
2 years the length of time it took to download the first billion Android apps
60 days the length of time it took to add the most recent billion download
4.5 billion the total number of Android apps that have been downloaded Source: Tech News Daily
TECH NEWS
A NEW KIND OF TOUCHSCREENNew technology called OmniTouch can turn any surface into a touchscreen. First, you create a screen wherever you want – an arm, hand, pad of paper. Then, just like any touchscreen, you use your fingers to navigate it. Think: dialing a phone number on the palm of your
hand. Figuring out how to get the system to understand fingers was the biggest hurdle. Now, making it small enough – and affordable – is next. Source: www.Smartplanet.com
Federally Insured by NCUA
Equal Opportunity Employer
myCMCU.org | facebook.com/mycmcu
&– Tom Griffin, Quarry Cinema
I was comfortable with their
”approach ideas.
Tom Griffin saw the need for another family entertainment option in the
Cold Spring area. This vision materialized in 2005 when the Quarry Cinema 5 opened.
To help fulfill his dream, Tom sought financing from Central Minnesota Credit Union. “I was comfortable with their approach and ideas. Roger Hansen was down-to-earth yet professional. He took the time to get to know me and my business needs plus my long-term goals,” stated Griffin.
“
Get customized solutions tailored for your business! Talk to one of our lending experts today–888.330.8482
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Delivering Creativity, Results,& Rock Solid Dependability
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION SERVICESARCHITECTURAL DESIGN DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
Since 1874
Single source.Superior service.
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BC Jan-Feb 2012 Ad_Layout 1 11/28/11 4:33 PM Page 1
What an employee can – and cannot – say on Facebook has been debatable over the past
few years. Court cases about employees being fired because of a post they made put the fear in most employees – and made employers believe they had the ability to limit negative comments about the company.
But a new report from the National Labor Relations Board on case developments related to social media has some striking findings that are changing the way businesses can react.
I sat down with Hayden Creque, principle attorney at Creque Law, a full-service St. Cloud-based law firm that specializes in business, employment privacy, information security and internet law, to unwind the legal speak and gain a better understanding of what it means to employers.
Q What do you see as the biggest takeaway from the report? A: It is unlawful to discharge – or even
discipline – employees who use a social
network platform to engage in or initiate
discussions with other employees related
to working conditions or terms of
employment. Such a discussion may be
protected activity even when it includes
related criticisms, sarcasm, and swearing.
Q How far can it go? A: An employee’s
criticism of supervisory actions, when they
reflect several employees’ concerns, is
protected. That means posting to Facebook
or another social networking platform may
be protected even when the employee
engages in egregious name-calling. The
employee crosses the line when it becomes
maliciously false.
Q This seems to be somewhat one-sided. Is the employer protected at all? A: Although the protections
afforded employees are broad on their face,
they actually are quite narrow in scope.
Employees are only protected to the extent
that it is a “concerted activity.” That means
individual gripes or comments made for
the employee’s personal amusement are
not protected. Employers can take action –
and many have.
Q What role do the social media usage policies created by employers play in all of this?
A: It has become common for employers
to institute social media policies to outline
certain conduct, but they often go too far
and are not enforceable.
Q What are some examples of social media policies that go too far?
A: Employers often include broad
prohibitions on disparaging comments,
inappropriate discussions, and the use of
generally offensive language. In many
cases, the policies do not contain limiting
language or examples to inform employees
that the policy excludes protected
activities.
Q What is the best piece of advice you have for businesses given this report? A: There is nothing in the report
that precludes an employer from having
a social media policy. Businesses should
see this as their opportunity to review
and revise their social media policies.
Businesses that do not have one should
create one. Reference specific employee
rights and provide detailed guidelines on
monitoring employer-related comments
and the respective disciplinary action. At
minimum, every employee handbook
should include a “catch-all” provision like
‘Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
in this policy shall be construed to limit, in
any way, your rights under any applicable
federal, state or local laws.’ BC
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Game-ChangerA new report from the National Labor Relations Board suggests social media policies often go too far and are not enforceable. By Dawn Zimmerman
22 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
About the writerDawn Zimmerman is Chief Executive Officer of The Write Advantage,
a St. Cloud-based communications company that specializes in social media.
MANAGEMENT TOOLKIT
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 23
WORKING WELL
AHHHHHHHHHH-CHOO
Keep the flu out of the office this winter with a few simple steps.
PREVENTIONSupport flu vaccination in the workplace
in order to ensure productivity all year
long. The flu season occurs over cold-
weather months – for many reasons,
including close proximity indoors during
school days and dryer air, impeding the
body’s ability to hydrate and cleanse itself.
The easiest way to prevent illness is
to tell employees how they can access no
or low cost vaccinations. Have you ever
been sick the day after a vaccination?
It takes two weeks for protection to
develop in the body. Employees can even
spread the flu 24 hours before symptoms
develop.
CONTROL MEASURESIf you do come down with an illness,
stay home in order to avoid infecting
others. Flu germs are easily passed
through tiny droplets of fluid that
transfer from one person to another.
Cover your mouth and nose thoroughly
when you sneeze and wash your hands
thoroughly. Do not rub your eyes or
nose or touch your mouth.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
IN THE NEWS
Honoring the Hill Museum & Manuscript LibraryThe Hill Museum & Manuscript Library (HMML) at Saint John’s University has been awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor for libraries and museums and is sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) nominated HMML for the award.
The 2011 award winning libraries and museums will be honored at a Washington, D.C. ceremony. Each library and museum also receives an honorarium of $10,000.
Featuring: • Keynote speeches: Lynn Scarlett James Hamilton Richard Morgenstern • The annual economic outlook panel • A new business panel “Going Green: The Whys & the Hows” with regional entrepreneurs and innovators • A luncheon speech with Chris Farrell
February 29 - March 1, 2012www.stcloudstate.edu/winterinstitute
Corporate Education & Outreach is pleased to offer our conference planning services to this dynamic
conference as a partner of SCSU’s Winter Institute.
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Green Economic GrowthHow Natural Resources Will Shape Our Economy & Community
24 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••BUSINESS TOOLSGROW
Non-unionized private employers, as
well as employers with unions, will
be required to post for employees a
notice of union-related collective bargaining
rights beginning January 31, 2012. The
new requirement from the National Labor
Relations Board (NLRB) has created a storm
of controversy.
The NLRB’s final rule is currently
the subject of three lawsuits from the
business community seeking to block its
implementation. Because the likelihood
of a blocking court order cannot be
predicted, employers should begin planning
for compliance now, including training
managers on the employer’s position on
unions and on how to respond lawfully to
employee questions about the posting.
Many employers subject to this new
notice-posting requirement have not
understood that it applies to them. With
limited exceptions, both union and non-
union employers must post the 11x17
notice, which is available from the NLRB
at its regional offices and also available
for download at https://www.nlrb.gov/sites/
default/files/documents/1562/employee_rights_
nlra.pdf.
The notice must be posted where other
workplace notices are typically posted.
Plan Now for CompliancePrivate employers—unionized or not—must soon post the NLRB notice of collective bargaining rights. By Dorraine A. Larison and Mark S. Mathison
MANAGEMENT TOOLKIT
S Sandler Training Finding Power In Reinforcement (with design) and Sandler Training are registered service marks of Sandler Systems, Inc. © 2009 Sandler Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
Sandler Training® utilizes continual reinforcement through ongoing training and individual coaching sessions not only to help you learn but also to ensure your success. With over 200 training centers worldwide to provide support, you won’t fail…because we won’t let you.
Want some good old-fashioned sales training?Don’t call us.
Brian Hart220 Park Avenue South, Suite 100St. Cloud, MN • 320-224-2121www.brianhart.sandler.com
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 25
A Bright IdeaThe new Philips 10-watt LED light bulb is officially the greenest replacement for a 60-watt bulb. It passed a number of rigorous tests and won Philips $10 million in the Department of Energy’s L Prize competition, which sought “high performance, energy-saving replacements” for the incandescent bulbs most of us still use.
But get ready – the price will most likely top $40 per bulb. If everyone switched to these more efficient bulbs, we’d save $3.9 billion in electricity a year. Plus, the 60-watt bulbs we use now generally last for only 1,000 to 3,000 hours, which means you have to change each light bulb every year or two. If this new bulb lasts for the anticipated 25,000 hours, you could use it for about 35 years without buying a new one. Source: GOOD: www.good.is
GOING GREEN
A fact sheet with further information
about the new notice-posting rule
is available on the NLRB Website or
at www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com.
Employers with questions or concerns
about the posting requirement should
seek counsel from an attorney practicing
in labor law. BC
Dorraine Larison and Mark Mathison are
attorneys with the law firm of Gray Plant
Mooty. Larison offices in St. Cloud and can
be contacted at dorraine.larison@gpmlaw.
com or (320) 202-5331. Mathison offices in
Minneapolis and can be contacted at mark.
[email protected] or (612) 632-3247.
CHECK OUT OUR NEW DIGITAL FORMAT.
www.BusinessCentral Magazine.com
www.scr-mn.com
Formerly St. Cloud Refrigeration
RefRigeRation HVaC SeRViCe Building automation food SeRViCe
CentRal | metRo diViSionSt. Cloud 320-251-6861
MetRo 800-827-1642
noRtHeRn diViSionBaxteR 800-273-9071
SoutHeRn diViSionRoCheSteR 877-399-4546
Mankato 800-447-3259
26 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
EDITOR’S NOTE
Beginning with this issue we are offering a
graphical look at economic activity in Central
Minnesota. We hope that the charts and graphs
on these pages will help you follow local business
activity and make well-informed decisions for
your own organization. If there is information
missing that you would like to see here,
please let us know!
The St. Cloud area continued its
trend of below average cost of living
expenses as we headed into the final
quarter of 2011. The results of the ACCRA
Cost of Living index showed St. Cloud’s
“All Items” index at 96.0, or 4 percent
below the national average of 100 for the
third quarter of 2011. This matched closely
the previous two quarters when St. Cloud
had an all items index of 96.1 in the first
quarter and 94.0 in the second quarter.
Overall, the area is on track to have a
lower cost of living than in 2010, when the
all items index was 98.3 for the year.
As with previous quarters, the cost of
housing in Central Minnesota remains low
compared to other communities. During
the third quarter of 2011, the region’s
cost of living index for housing was 70.0,
compared to Minneapolis at 120.1 or
Eau Claire, Wisconsin at 83.8.
Not all expenses are low in Central
Minnesota. Grocery items showed an
index of 108.1, just 1.2 percent behind
Minneapolis (109.3), and 12.1 percent
above Eau Claire (96.0).
HOLDING STEADYCENTRAL MINNESOTA’S COST OF LIVING REMAINS BELOW NATIONAL AVERAGE.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••ECONOMY CENTRALPRESENTED BY FALCON BANK
Economy Central presented by
Cost of Living - Minnesota
All Ite
ms
Groce
ry
Item
s
Housin
g*
Utiliti
es
Health
CareTr
ans-
po
rtatio
n
Goods
/ Ser
vices
The Cost of Living index measures regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services, excluding taxes and non-consumer expenditures, for professional and managerial households in the top income quintile.
It is based on more than 90,000 prices covering almost 60 different items for which prices are collected quarterly by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. Small differences should not be interpreted as showing any
measurable difference, according to ACCRA. *Includes single-family and multi-unit residential housing
Third Quarter 2011Minnesota and other Upper Midwest Cities of Comparable Size to St. Cloud
St. Cloud, MN 2010 Annual Average 98.3 101.6 80.5 117.4 99.9 101.8 105.8
St. Cloud, MN (1st Qtr) 96.1 99.4 79.9 106.5 105.4 102.5 102.3
St. Cloud, MN (2nd Qtr) 94.0 104.0 77.3 100.2 99.9 102.6 100.0
3rd Quarter 2011
St. Cloud, MN 96.0 108.1 70.0 99.8 98.2 104.3 104.1
Minneapolis, MN 111.8 109.3 120.1 101.5 107.5 105.5 110.9
St. Paul, MN 110.8 107.9 116.0 100.3 108.4 106.5 111.9
Rochester, MN 105.4 96.3 104.2 116.9 108.3 108.5 105.2
Dubuque, IA 94.7 99.8 89.4 94.5 101.5 100.9 94.7
Eau Claire, WI 91.0 96.0 83.8 78.5 102.3 107.6 93.6
Wausau, WI 94.8 101.6 85.8 103.4 97.8 101.7 95.6
Among the 309 urban areas participating in the third
quarter report, the after-tax cost for a professional/
managerial standard of living ranged from more than
twice the national average in New York (Manhattan)
NY to almost 20 percent below the national average in
Harlingen, TX.
ACCRA COST OF LIVING INDEX
Manhattan NY 223.9
Brooklyn NY 185.5
Honolulu HI 167.1
San Francisco CA 161.3
Queens NY 154.4
San Jose CA 152.4
Truckee-Nevada County CA 148.4
Washington, D.C. 147.5
Nassau County NY 143.5
CITY
A GOOD TIME TO BORROW The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program lent a record $2.59 billion in fiscal year 2011 to small businesses. That’s a 63 percent increase over last year’s $1.59 billion.
Source: The U.S. Small Business Administration
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 27
$0
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DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
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$0
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$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
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$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
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$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
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$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
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$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
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$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
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$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
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$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
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$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
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$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
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Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
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$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
Non Farm Jobs2011 COUNTRY WIDE - % CHANGE
Benton & Stearns CountiesMinnesotaUnited States
-2.0%
-1.5%
-1.0%
-0.5%
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
DNOSAJJMAMF
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
ECONOMIC INDICATORS & TRENDS
Residential Building Permits Commercial Building Permits
Employment
Economy Central presented byEconomy Central presented by
Sources: Building departments for the following cities: St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, Sartell, Waite Park, St. Augusta, and St. Joseph.
Source: www.positivelyminnesota.com
= exceeds chart scale
28 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A$
2,84
1,23
8
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
0
10
20
30
40
50
Oct-11Oct-10Oct-09Oct-08Oct-07Oct-06
Number of IncorporationsST. CLOUD AREA
2006
-3.0%
-2.5%
-2.0%
-1.5%
-1.0%
-0.5%
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
2.5%
3.0%
3.5%
Annual change in real GDP COUNTRY WIDE
St. CloudMpls/St.PaulMinnesotaUnited States
2007 2008 2009 2010
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
ECONOMIC INDICATORS & TRENDS
Housing/Real Estate
Commerce/ServicesGross Domestic Product
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Economy Central presented by
Expect the unexpectedEntrepreneurs share their opinions about starting and staying in business.
BY THE NUMBERS
83% expect utility costs to rise
25%say rising raw material prices pose their biggest challenge
23%say increasing healthcare costs pose their biggest challenge
73% say they would start their business again even if they knew then what they know now
64% would recommend entrepreneurship as a career to their children
Source: Citibank small business survey 2011
Now onlineVisit www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com
Sources: Tax Collections – City of St. Cloud Incorporations - MN Secretary of State, Graph courtesy of SCSU
Housing/Real Estate sources: St. Cloud Area Association of Realtors, http://stcloudrealtors.com/pages/statistics; Benton County Sheriff’s Civil Process; Stearn’s County Sheriff’s Office; http://thething.mplsrealtor.com/
Sources: Minnesota Compass led by Wilder Research; Bureau of Economic Analysis - www.BEA .gov.
DID YOU KNOW?
ENTREPRENEURSHIP DECLINESThe US ranks third among top entrepreneurial performing countries, behind both Denmark and Canada, according to a report from the US Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. According to the report, the US ranks first in entrepreneurial aspirations, sixth in entrepreneurial attitudes, and eighth in entrepreneurial activity. Source: Citibank small business survey 2011
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellRESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
No. of permits 43 41 58 136 224 200 233 256 241 206 No. of permits 12 10 14 38 44 37 41 121 152 141 No. of permits 5 6 13 23 44 39 40 43 55 52 No. of permits 5 5 3 0 6 5 3 2 4 4 No. of permits 7 3 4 10 19 19 12 23 27 17 No. of permits 16 11 19 22 44 147 17 45 44 50
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sauk RapidsCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. CloudCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Waite ParkCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. AugustaCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
$800,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
St. JoeCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
$0
$.5M
$1M
$1.5M
$2M
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
SartellCOMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS, CONSOLIDATED
No. of permits 27 32 51 30 40 41 35 45 41 42
0
5
10
15
20
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsBENTON COUNTY
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Sheri� ’s Foreclosure AuctionsSTEARNS COUNTY
-1.0
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
United States Nonfarm JobsUNITED STATES - MONTHLY % CHANGE
-0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Local Nonfarm JobsBENTON AND STEARNS COUNTY - MONTHLY % CHANGE
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
4th Quarter3rd Quarter2nd Quarter1st Quarter
Gross Domestic Product2011 QUARTERLY % CHANGE IN REAL GDP
0
30
60
90
120
150
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Home Sales Closed - TotalST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Lodging Tax DollarsST. CLOUD
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Food & Beverage Tax CollectionsST. CLOUD
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Minnesota Nonfarm JobsMINNESOTA - MONTHLY % CHANGE
4%
6%
8%
10%
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Unemployment RatesCOUNTRY WIDE
No. of permits 7 9 10 5 5 1 3 8 28 31 No. of permits 2 1 5 0 1 3 3 11 3 0 No. of permits 5 5 5 0 13 4 6 5 11 14 No. of permits 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 No. of permits 3 3 2 3 12 23 5 10 7 10
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulMinnesotaUnited States
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
DNOSAJJMAMFJ
Median Housing PricesMINNESOTA
St. CloudMinneapolis/St. PaulRochester
0.4%
1.3%
2.0%
N/A N/A
$2,
841,
238
$2,0
76,3
02
$2,5
44,0
33
$10,
914,
217
$23,
240,
100
$5,1
73,5
00
$5,4
34,8
57
$4,430
= exceeds chart scale
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
Economy Central presented by
Music Men
“Everything we do is
about music.” –Jeff Vee[ ]
30 B u s i n e ss C e n t ra l M a g a z i n e • • JA N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
[ ]“This business is all about relationships.”
–Tommy Vee
Rockhouse Productions, LLCADDRESS: 23 W Minnesota St. PO Box 757 St. Joseph, MN 56374-0757
PHONE: (320) 363-1000
FAX: (320) 363-0722
EMAIL: [email protected]: www.rockhousepro.com
OWNERS: Bobby, Jeff and Tommy Vee
STARTED: 1989NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Four, including Jeff and Tommy Vee who work in the business full timeBUSINESS DESCRIPTION: Entertainment and event production; audio and video recording; artist management, development and booking.
REVENUE BREAKOUT: 50 percent from events; 50 percent from artist management; less than 1 percent from the recording studio.
WHERE THEY WORK: Rockhouse Productions’ events include: an annual fundraiser for the Hospice of South Central Indiana; the Clovis, NM Music Festival; Lamar State University’s annual fundraiser in Port Arthur, TX; The Halfway Jam, Royalton, MN; and the July 4th JoeTown Rocks Concert, St. Joseph, MN.
BY GAIL IVERS / / PHOTOS BY JOEL BUTKOWSKI / BDI
Managing Bobby Vee’s career and traveling the world in his band turned out to be more than just a good time for his sons, Jeff and Tommy. It also turned out to be good business.
PROLOGUEIt’s the stuff of legends.
International rock stars die unexpectedly
while in route to a performance in the
Midwest. Local musician with big dreams
volunteers to fill in. A star is born and a
career is launched.
In a nutshell that’s what happened to
Fargo native Robert Velline, known today as
Bobby Vee.
Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The
Big Bopper were on their way to a concert
in Moorhead when their plane crashed in
Clear Lake, Iowa, killing all three. Velline was
only 15, but a week earlier, he had pulled
together a small group of friends to form a
band. Calling themselves The Shadows, they
answered a plea by the local radio station to
fill in for the rock and roll legends. Velline
was on his way.
Buddy Holly died in 1959. That same
year Bobby Vee made his first single, “Suzy
Baby,” that brought him to the attention
of the major record labels. By 1961 he was
topping the charts in the United States, UK,
Australia and Asia.
In December 1963 he married Karen
Bergen of Detroit Lakes, whom he had met
at the Detroit Lakes Pavilion in 1960 when
he was just starting out. They moved to
California and started raising their family
while Bobby built his career. But there was
something about the Midwest that never left
Bobby and Karen’s bones.
They went home to Minnesota regularly
in the summers to the family cabin. Their
children thought of Minnesota as their
second home. When their eldest son, Jeff,
was 16, Bobby and Karen decided it was
time to leave California.
“It probably would have been better for
Dad’s career if they had stayed in California,”
Jeff Vee said. “But they wanted us to have
those Midwest values.”
STAGE ONEWhen Jeff was in college, Bobby separated
from his management company. “Things
hadn’t been going that well with the
management company. He’d always been
really involved in managing his own career,”
Jeff said, “but when he had a tour of
England fall apart abruptly, their agreement
came to an official end.”
Bobby turned to his sons, Jeff and
Tommy, to help put the tour back together.
That was in 1992 and the threesome have
been a family team ever since.
“We managed to put the tour back
together in two years,” Tommy said, “which
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 31
32 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
was really quick. We had to interview
locations, set up new relationships, make
plans – it takes a lot of time.” But the two
showed that they had what was needed to
manage the career of a major star.
“It helped that it was massively
successful,” Jeff said. The brothers added
an Australia tour to Bobby’s schedule, a
venue he had not been doing. Then came
Branson for three years, followed by two
years on the road with the Branson show.
Not only were they managing Bobby’s
career, they were part of the show.
Talented musicians in their own right, Jeff
and Tommy played in Bobby’s band from
the 1990s until just this past year when
Bobby retired. “Dad could get us on stage,”
Tommy said, “but if we couldn’t handle it
we wouldn’t have been able to stay.”
The exhilaration of performing on stage
in large international venues can’t be beat,
the Vees agree. “It’s hard letting go of the
music,” Tommy said. “There’s no way to
duplicate that experience.”
“We still perform,” Jeff said.
“Sometimes for fun, like at JoeTown rocks,
sometimes for money, sometimes for both.
But it’s different from what we were doing
with Dad.”
“I suppose it’s like major league baseball
versus a local pick-up game,” Tommy said.
“They’re both fun, but they aren’t the same
thing. It’s hard to perform successfully at
that level and run this business, too.”
STAGE TWOManaging their father’s career and traveling
the world in his band turned out to be
more than just a good time. The younger
Vees watched their father interact with
international companies. They learned how
to develop relationships that were reliable
and would last. They discovered what made
the difference between an exceptional
event experience and an adequate one.
In 1996 Jeff and Tommy turned their
event participation experience into an
event planning business. Today, organizing
and planning major musical events across
1959Buddy Holly dies in a plane crash and Bobby Vee takes his place on stage in Moorhead.
1960Bobby Velline, now known as Bobby Vee, tops the charts in the U.S.
1961Bobby Vee has his first No.1 hit.
1963Bobby Vee and Karen Bergen marry; they move to California for Bobby’s career.
1980Bobby and Karen move their family from California to St. Cloud.
1981Bobby and Karen Vee start a fundraiser for Cathedral High School that eventually becomes known as the Rock Around the Clock. This annual event continues for 24 years.
1989Bobby, Jeff and Tommy Vee build a recording studio onto the family home and establish Rockhouse Productions.
1992Jeff and Tommy Vee begin managing their father’s career; Jeff, Tommy, and their younger brother, Robby, join their dad’s band. Touring over the next 15+ years takes them to the UK, Australia, the Far East and all across North America many times over.
1996Jeff and Tommy expand the business to include major concert event planning and management.
1999The Vees co-produce “Buddy Holly Week” at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC with Paul McCartney.
2000Jeff and Tommy purchase the old First State Bank building in St. Joe and relocate the business, expanding the studio and multi-media services.
“We have that good small town Minnesota work ethic – we say what we mean and we do
what we say. We learned that from Dad.— JEFF VEE
[ ]
Rockhouse Productions family: Tommy, Bobby and Jeff Vee.
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 33
the U.S. accounts for about 50 percent of
their work.
“We know how events need to be run,
how to make money and save money,” Jeff
said. “Based on years of relationships, we
know what it should cost. People who put
on events one time a year are really naive –
and I don’t mean that in a mean way. They
just have no way of knowing what top level
performers should cost. We know when
we’re getting the best deal possible.”
A few years ago, the organizers of
the Halfway Jam in Royalton, Minn.,
approached them for help. “We got a sense
that if it was done right it could grow,”
Tommy said, “so we agreed to work on it.
It’s in the seventh season – different bands,
classic rock theme, and people love it.”
The two also provide all the
entertainment for two casinos: WinnaVegas
Casino in Sioux City, IA, and Cher-Ae
Heights Casino in Eureka, CA. Talking
about the casinos caused the Vees to
point out that the music business is not
all fun and games. Last spring Sioux
City experienced severe flooding. The
WinnaVegas Casino was shut down for
three months. “We had to cancel $3 million
in contracts,” Jeff said.
“All the artists sent their deposits
back,” Tommy said. “This is where those
relationships really matter. We gave the
money back to the casino. It hurt, but it
didn’t kill us. There were people down
there who hurt a lot worse because they
lost their jobs for three months.”
STAGE THREEWhen Bobby told his sons he wanted to
cut back, it gave them pause. Not only did
this mean a lifestyle change for everyone, it
meant a change in their business model.
“Strategically Dad was over half of our
income,” Jeff said. “We needed to come
up with other work. I guess that made us
more open to working with the Broadway
programs.”
By Broadway programs, Jeff means
specifically The Midtown Men and The
Broadway Dolls, two shows that Rockhouse
Productions has been working with
extensively. By far, the biggest growth in
the company has been associated with The
Midtown Men.
“Broadway wasn’t a circle we were
running in,” Jeff said.
Tommy laughed. “It’s a long way from
St. Joe, Minnesota to Manhattan.”
The Midtown Men are the four stars from
the original cast of Broadway’s Jersey Boys.
The Vees hired the group for an event. “They
were struggling with their management,”
Tommy said. “They were Broadway trying
to enter the Rock and Roll world.” The
Midtown Men asked the Vees if they would
be interested in managing the group.
“We thought they were crazy,” Jeff said.
“But we took a closer look and found we
could answer their questions. Then it was
just a matter of whether or not we wanted
to do it.”
“With Dad’s retirement we had the
time,” Tommy said. “And it does take all
of Jeff’s time. We’re booking these guys
and handling their PR – you’d never hear
of such a thing normally. It’s much more
common to have two different companies
handling those two functions.”
2004•Rockhouse Productions, in cooperation with Wirth School of Music and St. Cloud Community Education, create “School of Rock” Day Camp for children ages 11 – 16•The Vees co-produce “At the Drive In” televised concert with Austin City Limits/PBS
2006•The Vees create The Original Stars of American Bandstand show featuring Bobby Vee, Fabian, and other stars from the 60’s. The show runs for three years in Branson,
then goes on the road for two more years.•Rockhouse Productions begins working on Halfway Jam in Royalton, MN, and creates JoeTown Rocks in St. Joseph, MN
2009Rockhouse Productions organizes a 50th Anniversary celebration of Bobby Vee’s career, in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. It is at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, IA and lasts five days.
The show includes guest performances by Graham Nash, Los Lobos, The Crickets and others. In conjunction with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Austin City Limits, Rockhouse co-produces the film 50 Winters Later.
2010Rockhouse Productions begins managing The Midtown Men, a show featuring four stars from the original cast of Broadway’s Jersey Boys.
Early 2012 (anticipated) – The Vee family creates a new album they are calling a family scrapbook. “We recorded 10 tracks in the garage – new tunes and family favorites,” said Jeff Vee. “We’re doing it entirely for ourselves, and everyone is involved – Mom, Dad, brother Robby, our sister Jennifer, and our brother-in-law, Barron. We don’t care if we sell a single one…but we will, of course, because it’s Dad.”
JOETOWN ROCKSJeff and Tommy Vee have travelled around the world performing with their famous dad, Bobby Vee. They talk daily with Broadway stars. They set up musical events that draw thousands. And yet they call St. Joseph, Minn., home.
“We’re proud to be part of this community,” Jeff Vee said. “We have no intentions of changing that.”
“If we hadn’t travelled so much already, probably we would have moved away,” Tommy Vee said. “But the fact is that this is a nice place to come home to.”
This isn’t just lip service. The Vees have played a critical role in creating JoeTown Rocks, a local summer festival that has been headlined by Bobby Vee. Even though Bobby is retiring, Jeff and Tommy are still committed to the event. “We do JoeTown Rocks because this is home, it’s fun, and we want it to work,” Tommy said.
34 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
But it’s worth it right now for the Vees
who believe the Midtown Men “are on the
edge of what could be a substantial ride,”
Jeff said. For instance, they are talking
with symphony orchestras, many of which
are struggling and turning to pop music to
bring in new audiences.
The Midtown Men plan to commission
musical charts to be written that combine
their 60’s music with instrumentation for
a symphony to create a 90-minute show,
Jeff explained. At $1,000 a minute, it’s a
substantial investment, but one the Midtown
Men will recoup by performing the show at
multiple venues. The group recently signed
on to perform with the Houston, Omaha
and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras and is
exploring television opportunities.
“That’s the kind of thing we’re talking
about,” Jeff said. “There could also be a PBS
special and many album projects. These
guys have that kind of potential.”
More in the development stage are
The Broadway Dolls. This group of female
Broadway stars developed their show
around songs they have actually sung
on Broadway…not necessarily on the
most popular tunes from their shows.
While this makes for a fine theme, it
doesn’t necessarily make for a great show,
according to the Vees.
“Just because they’re creditable
Broadway singers isn’t enough,” Jeff
said. “People go to Broadway for a play.
They go to Vegas for a revue. A revue
takes a story…a theme…that speaks to a
broader audience.”
“The Broadway Dolls have an act that’s
good enough for New York, but not for
the Midwest,” Tommy explained. “Their
repertoire is their biggest problem – the
audience needs to know the music. And
their wardrobe needs work – you don’t
want to be as racy in Nebraska as in New
York or LA.” But they haven’t given up
Tommy VeeTITLE: Owner/Producer
HOMETOWN: St. Cloud AGE: 44
EDUCATION: Graduated from Cathedral High School in St. Cloud in 1984. Attended 2.5 years at SCSU, got so busy performing never finished
WORK HISTORY: Performing musician since high school. Rockhouse Productions since 1992
FAMILY: Wife, Kathy, works at Reach Up/Headstart in St. Cloud. They met at a show in Rochester, Minn. They have two sons: Bennett, 9 and Liam, 7
HOBBIES: Fishing
INSTRUMENT: The bass
FAVORITE SONG: “The Maker” by Daniel Lanois
ADVICE TO A WOULD-BE ENTREPRENEUR: Try to find a way to make money doing what you love. If it works you will never work a day in your life (Corny, but true.)
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED: “It’s all Peggy Sue” by Joe B Mauldin/The Crickets. It’s another way of saying: Keep it simple.
Jeff Vee TITLE: Owner/Producer
HOMETOWN: Avon, Minn. AGE: 46
EDUCATION: Graduated from Cathedral High School in St. Cloud in 1983. Business Degree from Concordia College in St. Paul, 1993
WORK HISTORY: Recording and touring musician. Event/concert production, booking and artist management. Teaching “Audio Production” in the Mass Communications Dept. at St. Cloud State University (2001-2006)
FAMILY: Wife, Cindy, contract administrator for the Major League Baseball Players Association, offices in St. Joseph, Minn.; they met at a show in Clovis, New Mexico. Daughter, Saima Rose, 4
HOBBIES: Music, “It’s a hobby, too!” Fishing, cross-country skiing, barn dances – polka bands. Looking for a trailer for my tractor so I can give hay rides.
INSTRUMENT: Drums
FAVORITE SONG: “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan
ADVICE TO A WOULD-BE ENTREPRENEUR: It helps to love what you do. Have passion – keep an eye on the long road and form lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED: Honesty, integrity matter. Treat people well. Give it your all and that is the reputation that will follow. Take nothing and nobody for granted. Enjoy the journey. I suppose this came mostly from my dad – noting how he does his life and business.
The Midtown Men is a broadway program comprised of singers, Christian Hoff, Michael
Longoria, Daniel Reichard, and J. Robert Spencer. By far Rockhouse Production’s biggest growth
has been associated with The Midtown Men.
This business is all about relationships. If this isn’t the right opportunity now, that doesn’t mean it won’t come back and be the right opportunity later.
— TOMMY VEE
PERSONAL PROFILES
[ ]
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on The Broadway Dolls. “We
have a lot of eggs in very few
baskets,” Jeff said. “We talk
about that a lot and what we
should do about it.”
Agreeing to work with just
any performer or event isn’t
the answer for the brothers.
“We don’t want to just be sales
guys,” Tommy said. “We want
to really be part of the show.
The musical experience, the
magic that got us into this
business in the first place is
what’s important to us.”
“If it was just about business,
we’d have more acts and do
less with them,” Jeff agreed.
“But our focus is to have a few
shows and have a bigger hand
in their careers.”
STAGE FOURRockhouse Productions started
in 1989 as a recording studio put
on the back of the Vee’s family
home. “It’s a sandbox for our family to play in – a passionate hobby,”
Jeff said. “It needs to pay for itself and pay for the building. It’s by far
the smallest part of the business.”
And yet this incidental portion of the company could be the
doorway to their next big client, a singer named Emma Kay.
“She lives in St. Cloud,” Jeff said. “She just walked in the door one
day with one of our recording studio flyers in her hand. She has
the potential to be the next big thing…and I mean big.”
“She doesn’t have the pizzazz of the Broadway Dolls,” Tommy
said, “but she has soul. She’s soul food. We need that. It helps us
do some of the other projects. We do music back-up for her. She
writes great lyrics.”
But that isn’t enough, according to the Vees. “We’re helping
her learn,” Jeff said. “To be successful in this business you have
to be active in your own career. We can’t make you into a
star – you have to have it already. But we can help make you
successful. Emma Kay has all the ingredients. If something hits
with her, it could really change our direction as a company.” BC
Gail Ivers is the vice president of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce and managing editor of Business Central Magazine.
SCHOOL OF ROCKEvery August for two
weeks Jeff and Tommy
Vee introduce kids to rock
and roll. Since 2004, the
two owners of Rockhouse
Productions have partnered
with the Wirth School
of Music and St. Cloud
Community Education to
create the “School of Rock.”
“It’s a day camp for kids,”
Jeff Vee said. “We have
about 60 kids, ages 11 to 16.
All the instructors have had
professional careers in rock
and roll.” Participants need
a working knowledge of an
instrument, but they don’t
need to be proficient. The
highlight of the two weeks
is when the students, now
grouped into ten bands,
perform two songs each.
“It’s one of my favorite
things to do in the
community,” Tommy
Vee said.
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36 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
WHAT’S Your Plan?
Companies should plan ahead to avoid the potentially crippling impact of unexpected events
By Lawrence Schumacher
You’d think the destructive tornadoes in Wadena and Minneapolis would be a
wake-up call. Or that the flooding in Moorhead and southwestern Minnesota in recent years would be enough to focus businesses on planning for disaster. But John Unger says you’d be wrong.
Especially in outstate Minnesota, businesses are less likely to take steps in advance to ensure that a natural or man-made disaster doesn’t close their doors, said Unger, president of Vaultas, a Minnetonka-based business with locations in St. Cloud and Alexandria. The company specializes in providing secure data storage for businesses.
“If a business closes its doors for five to 10 days following a natural disaster, there’s a 93 percent chance it will never reopen or will file for bankruptcy in the following 12 months,” he said. “And I’m not just talking about tornadoes.
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 37
Extended power outages, a roof collapse from snow, a chemical spill, these things happen every day.”
More businesses are moving toward disaster preparation and planning, largely because banks and other financial backers are insisting upon it, said Chris Shorba, partner at KDV, a business, financial and technological consulting firm with locations in St. Cloud and Bloomington.
“It’s market-driven, more than advisory or awareness,” he said. “Financers who extend large amounts of credit to a business want to know what their plan is if something
forces them to close their doors suddenly.”
GETTING STARTEDThe good news is there are simple things businesses can do before disaster strikes to minimize their exposure or shorten the down time following a disaster, said Marvin Klug, Stearns County’s director of Emergency Management.
“The first thing any business needs is a continuity
of operations plan,” he said. “That means identifying the potential hazards your business may be exposed to, identifying the critical functions of your business and identifying which employees are essential to performing those critical tasks.”
Putting together such a plan is not something to take lightly, however. Owners of many small businesses have a do-it-yourself attitude
that serves them well most of the time, but disaster planning and preparation is about making sure all your employees are involved, know what to do, and can help to keep the plan current, Klug said. “You can have a plan, but if you write it yourself and put it away, it’s not really a plan.”
DATA BACKUPOne mistake many businesses make is not backing up
“Financers who extend large amounts of credit to a business want to know what their plan is if something
forces them to close their doors suddenly.”
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38 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
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electronic records to a secure location, according to Unger. Many businesses don’t back them up at all, or back them up on a separate hard drive at the same location as their primary systems.
“Anybody who relies on data to produce their product, service their customers, or keep track of their finances can find themselves out of business for a long time if their data is lost,” Unger said. “The cost has come down so far for data storage in the past three years that you can now prevent catastrophe for as little as $50 a month.”
In the process of auditing a business, KDV informs clients when they need to reduce their exposure to disasters or beef up their disaster recovery planning, Shorba said. The company’s technology services division provides technology support, including reducing security risks and preventing equipment failure. One client had spent a lot of money on a state-of-the-art server room, but had no secure, off-site data storage, he added.
KDV also helps businesses assess the risk to “human systems,” employees and their ability to continue carrying out job duties in the wake of a disaster.
OTHER STEPSIf a company plans ahead, it can have telephone lines up and running over the Internet within a day so that calls can continue coming through to an existing phone
line, Unger said. Employees working from a laptop at home can continue to do most of their business, even if the office is in ruins. “There was a telephone company that lost its central office due to a fire. It was offline for five weeks,” he said. “It supported 2,900 small businesses, and of those, 1,900 never came back because their phone lines were down.”
Other advance steps can also help, such as keeping an up-to-date employee contact list in a secure location, knowing which vendors can help you replace lost equipment quickly, and finding a commercial real estate agent in the area who can provide information about temporary relocation sites for your business, Stearns County’s Klug said.
NO EXCUSESDisaster preparation has been a growing industry since at least the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Shorba said. The lessons learned from watching Manhattan businesses try to recover from catastrophic loss prompted a lot of thought on how to minimize risks from disruption.
And with so many businesses now offering services that help companies prevent or recover from disruption, there is no excuse for businesses to be caught flat-footed, Unger said.
“It’s just a basic business responsibility for owners to provide themselves with some
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J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 39
level of protection,” he said. “And it makes financial sense now. Having a recovery plan can get you a break on your insurance costs that more than makes up for any other expenses.” BC
Larry Schumacher is the
creator and owner of
Wordbender Communications
LLC, a communications
consulting and freelance writing
firm. He lives in St. Cloud with
his wife and two children.
LEARN MOREHere are some of the tips FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and other business experts recommend to minimize the disruption to your business:
Keep a master list of emergency documents, including insurance coverage, financial records, equipment and inventory, employee information, customer and vendor lists.
Keep one copy of those crucial documents in a waterproof, fireproof, portable container and another off-site.
Create a crisis communications plan with an eye toward communicating with customers, vendors, employees, the public, and government.
Review insurance policies on a regular basis with an eye toward physical losses, flood coverage and business interruption.
Establish a plan for paying employees and vendors during a disruption.
Prepare a continuity of operation plan for serving customers if your facility is not available.
Keep an eye on suitable vacant industrial and commercial buildings and real estate contact information.
Keep first aid kits on hand and have emergency response and evacuation plans in place and practiced to help minimize employee injury.
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For information about state and national disaster relief resources, visit www.BusinessCentralMagazine.com.
“The Schlenner Wenner accounting firm is like family to us. We can call anytime we need to and they are right here if we have any questions from business to setting up of corporations, or tax questions and so on. The rock of our business success is Schlenner Wenner.” – Jim Hilmerson, Hilmerson R.V.
BRIAN MACKINAC & STEVE SCHUELLER, C.P.A.’Swith Jim and Linda Hilmerson of Hilmerson RV
WORKING WITH PEOPLE,NOT JUST NUMB3RS.
Little Falls320.632.6311Albany320.845.2940
Maple Lake320.963.5414Monticello763.295.5070
St. Cloud320.251.0286
www.swcocpas.com
40 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
Over a decade ago, many leaders in the biomedical industry grew to dislike the risk that came with
research and development for drugs. Since then, new drugs have been harder to come by, leading many to believe that biomedical companies need to return to the times of risk and innovation and start discovering new medical therapies again.
The industry used to be led by creativity and exploration. Now, most biomedical companies function on the same processes they have used for the past 15 years. Cardiologist Andrew Marks, a founder of the Wu Center for Molecular Cardiology at Columbia University, claims that academic institutions and the National Institutes of Health have moved away from innovation, turning away from ideas with higher risk attached. According to the Council for American Medical Innovation, “there is
a palpable fear of new technology doing harm or costing more.”
Bernard Munos, founder of the InnoThink Center for Research in Biomedical Innovation in Indianapolis, Indiana, explains that “the impact on innovation has been severe: new drug approvals have steadily declined; 22 of the 25 most prescribed drugs are now generic; and 78 percent of prescriptions were filled by generics in 2010 (up from 46 percent in 2001).” According to Jeremy Hsu, author of “Fear of Risk Threatens Medical Innovation,” the Food and Drug Administration received 45 applications for new drugs in 1996 and only 23 applications in 2010.
Yet, there are many new ideas in the works in the biomedical field today. Scientists currently could be exploring “synthetic biology, tissue engineering,
nanotechnology, stem cells,” and more, Munos explained. Steve Burrill, President and CEO of Burrill & Co., said there are over 4,000 biomedical companies today, but the “financial criteria by which new drug candidates are assessed make it very difficult for the products of this new science to compete against ‘safe’ projects.” Burrill explained that returns on safer products come with less risk than financing the next “speculative breakthrough.”
Turning to educational institutions may be the answer. St. Cloud State University is partnering with local companies to combat the growing trend against medical innovation. On Oct. 27, Governor Mark Dayton helped break ground on the final part of St. Cloud State’s Science Initiative, a new 100,000-square-foot Integrated Science and Engineering
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RETHINKING Risk
For the past several years businesses and organizations have been turning
away from ideas with higher risk attached. Now St. Cloud State
University is partnering with local companies to combat the growing trend
against medical innovation. By Alexa Sandbakken
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 • • w w w. B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e . c o m 41
Laboratory Facility (ISELF). According to the St. Cloud State University Facilities Management website, ISELF is set for completion in 2013, and will “support Minnesota companies that are global leaders in medical devices, pharma/biologics, animal science, bio-agriculture and renewable energy.” David DeGroote, dean of the College of Science and Engineering, believes this new facility will help bridge the gap between academia and private enterprises by allowing St. Cloud State University faculty and students to “do more collaborative research with businesses and earn more National Science Foundation grants.”
One interested local business is Microbiologics, Inc., a company that specializes in producing lyophilized microorganism preparations for use in
the clinical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, dietary supplement, food, water, environmental and educational industries. Brad Goskowicz, CEO, explained that his company has been partnering with SCSU in many areas. According to Goskowicz, SCSU and Microbiologics currently work together to develop products and new technologies, and ISELF will help that partnership expand.
At the groundbreaking ceremony for ISELF, SCSU biology professor Matt Julius explained how educational
institutions can help curb the growing tide of fear regarding medical innovation. Julius emphasized that the purpose of ISELF “is to bridge those barriers that crop up, for whatever reason, between the community, the private sector, and academia.” With this new building, Central Minnesota is taking the next step in medical innovation. BC
Alexa Sandbakken was the communications
intern at the St. Cloud Area Chamber of
Commerce in fall 2011.
HEALTH CARE & MEDICAL SERVICES
Turn the page to learn more about the variety of Health Care & Medical Services available to businesses in Central Minnesota.
reflexStCloudOrthopedics.com 320.259.4100
Bend without breakingGeneral Orthopedics • Sports Medicine • Joint Replacement • Trauma
Knee & Shoulder • Hand Center • Spine Center • Foot & Ankle
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HEALTH CARE & MEDICAL SERVICES
42 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
HEALTH CARE & MEDICAL SERVICES
St. Cloud Orthopedics
Dr. Timothy Hiesterman D.O.
General OrthopedicsOrthopedic Trauma Surgery
320-259-4100 www.stcloudorthopedics.com
D r. Timothy Hiesterman D.O. is the latest addition to St. Cloud
Orthopedics, expanding the specialty of Orthopedic Trauma Surgery. Dr. Hiesterman treats fractures of the upper and lower extremities, pelvis and acetabular fractures, malunions, and nonunions. He also provides orthopedic care for hip and knee replacements, arthroscopic surgeries, and sports-related injuries. He brings an extensive knowledge of musculoskeletal care and orthopedic trauma to St. Cloud Orthopedics and is now accepting appointments.
Certif ied HealthcareConstructor
Douglas J. Boser
Boser Construction, Inc.www.boserconstruction.com
C ongratulations to Douglas, J. Boser who
has brought Boser Construction, Inc. to
the next level by attaining Certified Healthcare
Constructor status through the American
Hospital Association. As the business owner,
Doug has created a thriving construction
company over the past 15 years that has
become an area leader in Commercial, Medical
and Institutional construction. His dedication
to the medical construction industry is evident
through his processes, employee training and
continued education in this field.
Arminte Coleman
Center DirectorSpecializing in Weight Control
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HEALTH CARE & MEDICAL SERVICES
StCloudMedical.com
South Campus1301 33rd Street South
251-8181
Northwest Campus251 County Road 120
202-8949
Clearwater Clinic615 Nelson Drive
558-2293
Cold Spring Clinic402 N Red River Avenue
685-8641
Family Practice + OB/GYN + Pediatrics + Express Care Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation + Occupational Medicine + Surgery
It’s the genuine care and respect we have for our patients that makes the difference.
It’s the genuine care and respect we have for It’s the genuine care and respect we have for
Not the biggest—but
one of the best.
At St. Cloud Medical Group, you’re a neighbor—
not a number. So from the front desk to the
examination room, we make sure you feel
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physicians and specialists gives you personal
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we form with our patients are the most
important and rewarding part of our care.
And it shows—99% of our patients would
recommend our clinic to family and friends.
BusinessCentral[Scale].indd 1 2/28/11 5:17 PM
St. Cloud Medical Group
Dr. Ann Lee
Board Eligible Family Medicine320-240-2180
www.stcloudmedical.com
D r. Ann Lee received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree
from Lake Eric College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at the St. Cloud Hospital Family Medicine Residency program. Dr. Lee sees patients of all ages. She has special interests in women’s health, obstetrics, and osteopathic manipulation. Appointments with Dr. Lee can be made at the St. Cloud Medical Group South Campus at 1301 33rd St. South by calling (320) 240-2180.
We are committed to providing the highest quality biomaterials
for a safer, healthier world.
Microbiologics is a Granite Equity Company
Growing with St. Cloud
www.microbiologics.com
44 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
HEALTH CARE & MEDICAL SERVICES
The non-surgical laser procedure for varicose veins.Ask about our cosmetic treatments.
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The new River’s Edge Convention Center expansion will enhance the former
St. Cloud Civic Center Farm Show venue with:
• 35,000 square feet of new exhibit space
• 13,000 square feet of additional pre-function space and convenient
on-grade load-in access
• More flexible space for exhibits of all types
• Same convenient location in Central Minnesota
• Familiar staff members who take great care of exhibitors
• Bigger entrance doors
• Wash bay
Booth space NOW available. For more information, please visit www.StCloudAreaChamber.com or call 320-251-2940, ext 105.
NEW NAME. NEW SPACE. SAME GREAT LOCATION.ALL NEW CENTRAL MINNESOTA FARM SHOW 2012.
2012
www.StCloudRiversEdgeConventionCenter.com www.GraniteCountry.com
46 B u s i n e s s C e n t r a l M a g a z i n e • • J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2
Lessons Learned
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTPROFIT
The Great Recession took its toll on local retailer MCI, but they are returning stronger than ever with an eye on growth. By Gail Ivers
Timeline1976 Rick Lindmeier and Warren “Nik” Nikodym start Multiple Concepts Interiors in Waite Park
1984MCI expands into the Twin Cities, creating the Metro Division which focuses on residential sales.
At its peak it accounts for one-third of MCI’s volume and has 25 employees.
1985 Harold Loch joins MCI
1993MCI joins the Carpet One Floor & Home Cooperative
1997 Brian Poepping joins MCI
2000 The first phase of the ESOP sale starts
2003 Ryan Corrigan joins MCI
2004The second phase of the ESOP sale takes place
2005-06MCI remodels, replacing the former warehouse with a lighting showroom
2006Lindmeier and Nikodym retire, selling their remaining shares to key managers outside of the ESOP
2009 MCI experiences the worst of The Great Recession from
4th Quarter 2009 to 4th Quarter 2010. They close the Metro Division and let all of the employees go.
2011 MCI opens a commercial sales office in Sioux Falls.
BC: What was the hardest part of the recession for you?Ryan Corrigan: Closing the Metro
Division was a hard, big decision
for us as a management team.
When they crashed, they just
couldn’t recover. We had to focus
on being profitable as a smaller
company.
BC: When did things turn around?
Corrigan: We’ve seen steady
and continued growth since the
beginning of 2011. We spent a
full year at the bottom. If business
hadn’t started coming around
when it did we don’t know how
much longer we could have stuck
it out. You get so burned out just
trying to hold on, to keep the
business open. ‘
BC: You had to downsize.Corrigan: We were part of the
housing boom. We had grown
so substantially it was not
sustainable. We went from
$28-$30 million to $36 million
in a couple of years. Today we’re
at $22 million in sales – about
where we were 10 years ago.
At our peak, we had 80
employees. Today, we have 56.
BC: But now you’re expanding.Corrigan: The industry has
changed so much you can’t
sit back. You have to be on
the move. We dealt with the
recession, dealt with the business
fall out, and learned to do
business in that environment.
Now we feel we’re in a position
to expand and we’re targeting
Minnesota and the Dakotas.
BC: Were there any particular lessons?Corrigan: If we had not
been diversified, we may not
have made it. We were diversified
not just with residential and
commercial, but within those
segments. That made it possible
to focus on the segments that
weren’t hit as hard, like hospitals
and long-term care. BC
FUN FACT Before MCI joined the Carpet One coop, their mascot was a hippo. Lindmeier picked the hippo because “it was big – big savings, big store, big deal.”
At a Glance MCI Carpet One Floor & Home26 1st Ave N
Waite Park, MN 56387-1299
(320) 253-5078
Fax: (320) 253-9458
www.mcicarpetone.com
Started: 1976 as Multiple Concepts
Interiors by Rick Lindmeier and
Warren “Nik” Nikodym
Current Ownership: 66.5
percent owned by the ESOP; the
rest is divided equally between
Ryan Corrigan, CEO/CFO; Brian
Poepping, senior vice president
in charge of commercial sales
and business development; and
Harold Loch, senior vice president
in charge of residential sales and
business development
Number of employees: 56
Business Description: Providing
interior design products and
services for residential and
commercial customers in five
states. Products include, but are
not limited to: floor coverings, wall
coverings, window treatments,
lighting fixtures, and home
accessories
Sales: $22 million
Service Area: 75 percent of MCI’s
business is commercial work in a
five state area
Joined the Chamber in 1976
Harold Loch, Brian Poepping, and Ryan Corrigan
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Eric Albrecht320-259-3141
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