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2026 Best Places to Work Announced Workforce Development, Inc. held their annual Best Places to Work award ceremony
Workforce Development, Inc. (WDI), in partnership with the Workforce Development Boards of Southeast Minnesota and Winona, is proud to announce the 2026 Best Places to Work in Southeast Minnesota. Now in its 16th year, this longstanding regional initiative continues to recognize employers who are setting the standard for workplace culture, employee engagement, and organizational excellence. Through a comprehensive survey process administered by national consulting firm Personnel Dynamics, fifteen companies earned the distinction of being named among the 2026 Best Places to Work across Southeast Minnesota’s eleven counties — Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona. These employers have demonstrated a clear commitment to creating workplaces where people want to stay, grow, and contribute. The 2026 winners were celebrated at the annual Workforce Development Forum held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Rochester International Event Center. Nearly 250 attendees were treated to a series of workplace videos offering an inside look at what makes these organizations truly exceptional. We extend our sincere gratitude to all participating organizations. As Southeast Minnesota continues to navigate both workforce challenges and opportunities, the Best Places to Work program serves as a meaningful reminder that investing in people remains one of the most effective strategies for long-term success.
2026 Best Places to Work in Southeast Minnesota
SMALL EMPLOYER (UNDER 70 EMPLOYEES) • Arcadian Bank • Flex Craft • Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative • People's Energy Cooperative • Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency
MID-SIZE EMPLOYER (71-150 EMPLOYEES) • AcenTek • Cooperative Response Center, Inc. • Custom Alarm • K & G Manufacturing Co. • Strongwell
LARGE EMPLOYER (OVER 150 EMPLOYEES) • Benike Construction • Gemini, Inc. • Olmsted County
• Riverland Community College • Zumbro Valley Health Center
*BOLDED CHAMBER MEMBERS
Photo by Amelia Roemer Photography
The Best Places to Work awards were presented at the 2026 Workforce Development Forum. This event also included keynote speaker, Joe Schmit, and a local employer panel (pictured above) discussing their best practices.
JUNE 2026 — ROCHESTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE | 27
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