Click the image to read the 2017 Progress Minnesota digital edition.

Now in its sixth year, Finance & Commerces Progress Minnesota event showcases the entrepreneurial spirit and economic development occurring across the state. More than two dozen individuals, companies and organizations were selected for this years honor by an independent panel of judges.

The 29 honorees were feted April 6 at the Minneapolis Events Center. Gov. Mark Dayton issued a proclamation to celebrate April 6 as Progress Minnesota Day.

Since the first Progress Minnesota event in 2012, attendees have told us how impressed they are by the strength and creativity in Minnesotas business community.

In this magazine, youll read about the efforts of well-known companies, such as Xcel Energys commitment to renewable energy and Ryan Cos. US Inc.s revitalization of Minneapolis Downtown East.

Youll also learn about economic drivers outside the Twin Cities metro area, like Carlos Creek Winery, which drew nearly 115,000 visitors last year to its Alexandria lakes-area vineyard and tasting room, and Life Fitness, which in February completed a $33.5 million, 150,000-square-foot addition to its Owatonna Cybex facility.

This magazine also highlights the economic vitality of Duluth, which has been bolstered in part by the efforts of the College of St. Scholastica, all-weather outdoor furniture designer and manufacturer Loll Designs, and the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, which helps drive economic growth at one of the largest ports in the U.S.

Youll find out about companies that bring Minnesota sensibilities to high-tech industries like IT company Atomic Data, lighting manufacturer aspectLED and Tech Dump, which gives people and electronics a second chance.

Inside youll also read tributes to individuals whove been boosters for Minnesotas economy, including a posthumous recognition for Todd Klingel, former CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. Klingels emphasis on partnerships and collaborations has left its mark across the metro area in projects large and small, including influential regional economic development agency Greater MSP.

Minnesotas economic growth and potential is impressive, and the people, companies and organizations honored here make the future seem even brighter.

David Bohlander, Special Sections Editor, Finance & Commerce

Blake Huffman |Journey Home Minnesota

Todd Klingel |Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce

Julie Nelson |Small Business Development Center

Alex Tittle Sr. |Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee

Alliance Machine Inc. |Elk River

aspectLED |Arden Hills

Atomic Data |Minneapolis

Bellwether Enterprise |Minneapolis

Buddys Kitchen Inc. |Burnsville

Carlos Creek Winery |Alexandria

Cemstone Cos.|Mendota Heights

The College of St. Scholastica |Duluth

Duluth Seaway Port Authority |Duluth

Eutectics Consulting LLC |Minneapolis

Hennepin Theatre Trust |Minneapolis

Horizon Roofing Inc. |Brooklyn Center

King Technology Inc.|Hopkins

Latino Economic Development Center|Minneapolis

Lennar Multifamily Communities |Minneapolis, Edina and Bloomington

Life Fitness|Owatonna

Loll Designs |Duluth

Minnesota Technical Assistance Program |Minneapolis

Runnings |Marshall

Ryan Cos. US Inc. |Minneapolis

Select Comfort Corp.|Plymouth

Sherman Associates|Minneapolis

Tech Dump and Tech Discounts|Golden Valley

WomenVenture|Minneapolis

Xcel Energy |Minneapolis

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Profiles of Progress MN 2017 honorees Finance & Commerce - Finance and Commerce