Austin has been selected as one of five finalists in Minnesota Monthly’s “Best Minnesota Town.”

Online voting put Austin in the running with Owatonna, Bemidji, Waconia and Walker. The top selection will be made Nov. 30.

The top town will receive $50,000 for marketing purposes, and will also have a party thrown in its honor.

Public online voting accounted for 25 percent of the vote, with the rest coming from three panelists: Dan McElroy, executive director of Hospitality Minnesota; Kate Roberts, senior exhibitor developer for the Minnesota Historical Society; and playwright Kevin Kling. Austin had over 30,000 public votes.

“We are so excited that Austin has been selected in the final five for Best Minnesota Town,” said Nancy Schnable, executive director of Austin’s convention and visitor’s bureau, Discover Austin. “There are so many things in Austin to be proud of and we want everyone in Minnesota to come and discover Austin.

“This special recognition is a great opportunity to market our community. A special thanks to the panel and all the public who voted for Austin.”

The inaugural Best Minnesota Town contest is produced by Minnesota Monthly magazine and presented by Old Dutch.

For more on the contest go to Minnesota Monthly’s website at www.bestmntown.com