Finance & Commerce Publisher Steve Jahn on Thursday announced 33 honorees for the third-annual awards program, which recognizes individuals and companies driving business growth, jobs and economic development in the Twin Cities and across the state.  The honorees come not just from the business community but also from nonprofits, trade groups, governments and higher education. 

A 3M parking lot near the south shore of 3M Lake in Maplewood is slated to become the site of the four-story, 400,000-square-foot research facility. ( File photo: Bill Klotz)

“This year’s award recipients illustrate the creativity, drive and commitment of business and industry from across the state that continues to turn the dial and make Minnesota a great place to conduct business,” said Jahn. “ They typify what the Progress Minnesota Award is about.” 

3M is being recognized for its decision to build a new 400,000-square-foot research & development facility at its Maplewood-based corporate headquarters.  The Mayo Clinic is being honored for its long-term investment in the Destination Medical Center redevelopment in its home base of Rochester. 

Some out-of-state companies also are being honored for their investments in Minnesota.  They include California-based Shutterfly for choosing Shakopee for its Midwest production hub and Illinois-based Baxter International for its significant investment in the Twin Cities medical industry including its plan to bring 200-plus jobs to a shuttered manufacturing facility in Brooklyn Park. 

Individual honorees include Nancy and Verlyn Fast, founders of Mountain Lake-based Fast Sprayers Manufacturing; Jeff Hamiel, executive director and CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission; Bill Morrissey, founder of Morrissey Hospitality, and Joe Selvaggio for his work in founding MicroGrants. 

Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael E. Ortega is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for his economic development work over the years, including his recent efforts in pushing the county to purchase and restore 400 acres of the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills. 

The honorees will be recognized at an April 10 event at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in downtown.  The honorees also will be profiled in a special magazine published April 11. ( For event information, contact Amanda Dorn at Amanda.Dorn@finance-commerce.com or at 612-584-1534.)