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Workforce Development, Inc. (WDI), in partnership with the Workforce Development Boards of Southeast Minnesota and Winona, unveiled the “Best Places to Work” in Southeast Minnesota.

Now in its 15th year, this regional initiative celebrates companies that go above and beyond in cultivating exceptional workplace cultures throughout Southeast Minnesota.

After a thorough evaluation process led by national consulting firm Personnel Dynamics, fifteen standout companies earned the distinction of being among the Best Places to Work across our region’s eleven counties — Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona.

These businesses have made meaningful investments in their people, championed inclusive and engaging work environments, and continue to lead with innovation, purpose, and care.

Among those that were honored was Mower County’s Cooperative Response Center, Inc, based in Austin.

The 2025 Best Places to Work winners are:

Small Employer

(under 50 employees

• City of Byron

• Arcadian Bank

• Rushford State Bank

• Southeast Service Cooperative

• Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency

Mid-Size Employer (50-150 employees)

• Cooperative Response Center, Inc.

• Custom Alarm

• New Age Tree Service

• Pace International

• People’s Energy Cooperative

Large Employer

(Over 150 employees)

• Benike Construction

• City of Albert Lea

• Gemini, Inc.

• Olmsted County

• Strongwell

Winners of this designation receive more than just recognition — they earn the right to display the “Best Places to Work” logo in their marketing materials, receive a custom event banner to showcase at their workplace, and gain year-long bragging rights across their communities and industries. The award also signals to job seekers that these employers are committed to putting people first.

The 2025 winners were celebrated at the annual Workforce Development Forum held April 3 at the Rochester International Event Center.