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Small Business & Entrepreneurship Transportation & Infrastructure
Minnesota Ranks First in Midwest Among New Economy States (2010) Minnesota outperformed all other Midwest states in “The 2010 State New Economy Index” jointly released by the Kauffman Foundation and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. The Index recognizes states “that are at the forefront of the nation’s movement toward a global, innovation-based new economy.” It is based on 26 indicators that assess states’ fundamental capacity to successfully navigate the shoals of economic change – namely the extent to which they are knowledge-based, globalized, entrepreneurial, IT-driven and innovation-based. On those measures, Minnesota ranked 13th in the nation. Minnesota Moves up on CNBC’s “Top Places for Business” List (2011) Minnesota ranks 7th in CNBC's annual ranking of the top places to do business. For the past five years, the news firm has ranked all 50 states based on categories such as cost of doing business, workforce, transportation and infrastructure, education, access to capital, and quality of life. Minnesota improved its rankings for cost of doing business and access to capital, and came in eighth for its quality of life. The state outpaced Iowa and Nebraska, which also placed in the top 10. St. Paul Recognized for Quality of Life and Business Friendliness (2011) Saint Paul beat out hundreds of competitors to become a "top 10 city" for its quality of life and business-friendly environment. The rankings were put together by FDi Intelligence, a division of the Financial Times Ltd., which tracks global business and investment trends. “The Cities of the Future” process compares over 400 cities in North and South America, examining economic potential, human resources, cost effectiveness, quality of life, infrastructure, and business friendliness. Twin Cities Climbs Forbes’ List of Best Metros for Business (2011) Forbes elevated the Twin Cities in its 13th annual list of “Best Places for Business and Careers.” In 2011, Greater MSP ranked 34 among the largest metro areas in the country, up from 57th the previous year. Forbes based its ranking on past and projected job growth, income growth, business and living costs, education, projected economic growth, quality of life and other metrics. Minneapolis/Saint Paul placed especially high (19th) in education. Other rankings have suggested that Minneapolis/Saint Paul is a great place for people seeking employment. A Forbes report published in March 2011 called it “the best city in the country for finding employment.” Minneapolis/Saint Paul Sets Midwestern Salary Pace (2011) The typical worker in the Twin Cities MSA earned $48,670 in 2009. That’s the third highest average pay level in the Midwest, according to The Business Journals “On Numbers” blog in May 2011. The blogger used U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to rank the pay levels for 766 occupations in 92 Midwestern metropolitan areas and divisions. Minnesota Ranks in Top 10 for Making a Living (2011) In a 2011 study by MoneyRates.com, Minnesota ranked among the top 10 states for ease in finding a job that allows one to live in comfort. MoneyRates.com looked at what a person had left to spend after adjusting for state taxes and differences in the cost of living. The rankings were based on “adjusted average income,” and low-tax states did especially well. Minnesota Reports Record Exports in Manufactured Products (2011) Minnesota exported $4.6 billion in manufactured products during the fourth quarter of 2010 – setting a new quarterly record and rounding out a positive year, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Quarterly exports were $631 million, up 16% from the fourth quarter of 2009. Total 2010 exports were $17 billion, a jump of 17%. Canada received more than $1 billion worth of Minnesota’s exports – a 22% increase from the previous year and the most of any country. Minnesota also boosted exports to a long list of other countries, led by China and Japan. Most of the growth was in computers and electronics, especially to China. There were also major gains in machinery and transportation equipment. Minneapolis Tops List of Best U.S. Cities for Finding Employment (2011) Minneapolis is the best city in the country for workers to find employment, according to a March 2011 study in Forbes. Minneapolis tops the list for having low unemployment and a variety of industries where people can find work. The city received high marks for being home to several large companies that have recently stepped up their hiring. Researchers also pointed out that Minneapolis has a high standard of living, with low crime, low poverty and a relatively low cost of living – all factors that improve livability for a work force. The study was conducted by the recruiting firm of Ajilon Professional Staffing. The short list of Best Employment Cities was compiled by examining cities that had the fullest employment, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Researches the applied other factors, such as industry diversity, cost of living, size range of companies offering employment, and educational attainment. Twin Cities Wage Growth No. 2 in U.S. (2011) Workers in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul region did better than their counterparts in most U.S. cities in 2010, with wages increasing 3.9%, according to statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's the second-best growth rate among the nation's 15 biggest metro areas. The main reason: the lower-than-average unemployment rate in the Metro MSP region. Minnesota Outpaced Nation in Biobusiness Growth (2011) Minnesota outpaced the nation in the growth of its biobusiness technology industry by increasing the sector’s workforce by 20% and continuing to expand its strongest sub-sector – medical devices. The news was announced in a 2011 report commissioned by The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota. The study looked at data from 2002 to 2007. During that five-year span, biobusiness employment (as a proportion of all employment) was 43% greater in Minnesota than in the United States. While national numbers have fluctuated over time, Minnesota’s have remained consistently above the national norm throughout the previous decade. Minnesota’s medical devices sub-sector, as a percentage of its biobusiness technology employment, was 77% during the five year span. That’s more than twice the national average. The study concluded that Minnesota “has managed to achieve a substantial turnaround in the status and competitiveness of its biobusiness technology economy” since the last biobusiness report was published in 2006. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Among 10 Hottest Job Markets, Says Monster.com (2011) Job-matching website Monster.com ranked Minneapolis/Saint Paul among the 10 hottest markets for job seekers in 2011. The Twin Cities market moved up to fourth on the national list in May. Rankings were based on “available jobs per job seeker” – an indicator of the relative abundance of job openings for each city’s local work force. The hottest jobs fell mostly within the IT and health care industries. Monster attributes this “to the economic recovery, where communities across the nation are starting to spend more on things like IT infrastructure,” and to health care skills shortages tied to the retirement of baby boomers. Forbes Names Twin Cities Among Best Job Markets in U.S. (2011) Forbes named the Minneapolis/Saint Paul region the fourth top job market in the nation in its January 2011 report, “America’s Best and Worst job Markets.” The Twin Cities metro trailed only Washington, D.C.; Boston; and Austin, Texas. According to Forbes, the Twin Cities’ employment is expected to recover fully by mid-2011 – far ahead of a national recovery. It anticipates most job growth to be in manufacturing and professional services like accounting. The Mall of America, a retail and tourist destination that is expanding, would also contribute to job growth in the region. Forbes reported that there are roughly three job seekers per advertised opening in the Twin Cities. The area’s unemployment rate is 6.5%, compared to the national average of 9.4%. Forbes based its 2011 job market report on metro unemployment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Juju.com’s monthly Job Search Difficulty Index for major cities; and Moody’s labor market trend analysis. Residents’ Passion for the Twin Cities Pays Economic Dividends, Gallup Reports (2010) Twin Cities residents are more attached to their city than folks in many other metros, according to a 2010 “Soul of the Community” report by the Knight Foundation and Gallup. That connection could mean good things for the local economy, the report concluded, because “there’s a strong correlation between residents and economic performance.” Twin Cities residents care most about social offerings (such as arts and cultural events), openness (how welcoming the community is to different types of people), and aesthetics (such as physical beauty and access to parks). Perceptions of the local economy, leadership and safety were deemed to be less important by survey respondents. Findings were based on data collected from 2008 to 2010 on people's passion for where they live. Researchers surveyed 43,000 residents of 25 different communities. Cities were chosen because they have newspapers that once were owned by the Knight brothers, for whom the Knight Foundation is named. “The Soul of the Community” findings build on previous Gallup research that shows employee engagement can improve productivity and profitability. The report validated the importance of community amenities in retaining people, luring new talent and attracting businesses. Minneapolis/Saint Paul’s Post-recession Economy Ranks Among Strongest in Nation and World (2010) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro area has one of the top-performing economies in the United States, according to the “Global MetroMonitor” report published in November 2010 by The Brookings Institution and London School of Economics. The report compared the economies of 150 global metropolitan areas. It ranked the Twin Cities sixth among U.S. markets – and 44th globally – for the "recovery" period of 2009 and 2010. The report describes the Twin Cities as “on the road to full recovery." The region posted a dramatic improvement, having placed 98th during the "pre-recession" period of 1993 to 2007 and 102nd during the "recession" period of 2007 to 2009. Minnesota Is Positioned to Compete in New Economy (2010) Minnesota is positioned well – and better than much of the Midwest – to compete in the new economy, according to the “2010 State New Economy Index.” The study, conducted by the Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation and The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, ranked Minnesota 13th nationally. The researchers evaluated states on metrics surrounding innovation, tech savvy, globalization and “economic dynamism.” Minnesota earned top-10 slots for several categories, including inventor patents, health IT, scientists and engineers, industry investment in R&D, IT professionals, workforce education, and high-wage traded services. Minnesota Moves up in Forbes Best-for-Business List (2010) Minnesota increased its ranking in Forbes 2010 list of best states for businesses and careers from 17th to 15th. The state earned its above-par ranking by placing fourth nationally in quality of life, eighth in labor supply, and 13th in growth prospects. Minnesota Is Fourth in Nation for Job Market Growth (2010) Minnesota added more jobs in the last 12 months than all but three states, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor data released in August 2010. The state added 23,200 new non-farm jobs from July 2009 through July 2010. Of the 13 states with the fastest-growing job markets, Minnesota has the lowest unemployment rate of 6.8%. Metro MSP Ranks Top for Med-tech (2010) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro region leads the nation in developing and manufacturing medical devices and equipment, according to a July 2010 economic development ranking of major metro areas published by Business Facilities magazine. The region beat out New Haven, Conn. and Salt Lake City for the top spot. The magazine also ranked the Twin Cities eighth on its list of greenest cities, and eighth for quality of life. In the same issue, Minnesota was ranked the No. 3 wind power generating state, behind Texas and Iowa. Minnesota also ranked sixth in quality of life. Minnesota Outperforms Most States in Job Growth (2010) Minnesota ranked 11th in a mid-year review of employment trends in the U.S. conducted by Portfolio.com and bizjournals. That’s a big jump from 2009, when the state ranked 28th. Portfolio.com based its rankings on a nine-part formula that uses U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for the latest five-years, starting in May 2005. Although Minnesota lost 3.4% of its private sector jobs during that period, it outperformed most states. Its unemployment rate, which dipped to 6.8% in June 2010, was well below the U.S. rate of 9.5%. It also saw a slight gain of 11,000 jobs over the past 12 months. Minnesota has “come out of the recession stronger,” said the authors of the Mid-America Business Conditions Index. They credit “the relative stamina of the state’s job market to a number of factors, including a diverse array of large companies in the Twin Cities and the strength of the agriculture sector. The area’s largest financial institutions also weathered the recession well.” Twin Cities MSA Ranks 14th in Total Exports (2010) The 13-county Twin Cities MSA ranked 14th nationally in total exports produced in 2008, according to a 2010 report released by the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings. The report compared exports in the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas. The Twin Cities’ largest export industry was machinery, which produced almost $19 billion in revenues. Minneapolis Makes Businessweek’s Top 10 Best Cities for New Grads (2010) For the first time, Minneapolis broke into Bloomberg Businessweek’s top 10 “Best Cities for New College Grads,” ranking No. 6 nationally. The 2010 report ranks the top 30 cities in the country for newly minted college grads. To make the cut during the economic crisis, cities have to have “strong job opportunities, decent pay, and living costs that won’t blow your budget.” Metro MSP’s diverse industry base (with major employers such as PepsiAmericas, Target and General Mills) and a low unemployment rate (6.8% at the time of the rating, which is lower than any other market in the top 10) carried weight in the ranking. Minnesota Ranks Among “America’s Top States for Business,” Says CNBC (2010) CNBC ranked Minnesota 8th on its 2010 list of “America’s Top States for Business,” tied with Utah. The study considered 40 different measures of competitiveness, grouped into 10 weighted categories. Minnesota scored exceptionally high in two areas: its healthy, diverse economy, and its strong education system. Twin Cities Performs Well in Business Vitality Index, Says Minneapolis Chamber (2010) The 13-county Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro area ranks exceptionally high in several elements of workforce development, business climate, and general quality of life, according to the second annual MSP Business Vitality Index produced by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. The 65-page report compares the Twin Cities MSA against seven metro centers of similar population size and quality-of-life characteristics: Atlanta, Boston, Denver, St. Louis, San Diego, Seattle, and Austin, Texas. Minneapolis/Saint Paul was the only metro to see a decrease in unemployment from 2009 to 2010. It also led the pack for its number of Fortune 500 companies, and ranked second in anticipated job growth in 2010. The region also topped the lists for intelligence, literacy, safety, bike-friendly cities, quality of life, cleanliness, fitness, and the percentage of adults who hold high school diplomas. The Twin Cities area ranked third among the eight metros on the percentage of residents with a bachelors degree. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Named Third Best Market for Young Professionals by Forbes (2010) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul region placed third in Forbes’ 2010 listing of “America’s Best Cities for Young Professionals.” The report ranks the 48 U.S. metropolitan areas with more than 1 million people that are also expected to have job growth in 2011. The Twin Cities ranked well for its low rate of unemployment, its number of large companies, and its reasonable cost of living. It was topped only by only Houston and Washington, D.C. Minnesota's Jobs Improvement Best in Nation (2010) Minnesota's unemployment picture improved more than any other state between May 2009 and May 2010, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The June 2010 report showed an unemployment rate drop from 8.4% to 7% in the one-year span, making Minnesota one of three states – along with Vermont and Oregon – to see a drop of 1 percentage point or more. Minnesota's jobless rate is the 11th lowest in the country. Midwest Economy Index Hits Four-year High (2010) The Business Conditions Index for the Mid-America region rose to its highest level in four years in May 2010. It hit 64.2, marking its sixth straight month of growth. The index is produced by Creighton University, based on a survey of supply managers in nine states, including Minnesota. Minnesota’s May Business Conditions Index mirrored the region at 64.1. Any number above 50 signals economic growth. Minnesota Moves up in Chief Executive’s List of Best States to Do Business (2010) Minnesota moved up one slot, to 31st, in Chief Executive magazine’s annual list of the best states to do business. The list is based on a January 2010 perception survey of 651 CEOs from across the country. They weighed in on a broad range of issues, including proximity to markets and resources, regulation, tax policies, workforce quality, education resources, quality of living and infrastructure. Minnesota scored high in three categories: education, health, and livability. Minnesota Ranks 15th Lowest in Effective Business Tax Comparison (2010) Minnesota ranked 15th lowest in the eighth annual state-by-state comparison of Total Effective Business tax Rates (TEBTR) published in 2010 by the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Council of State Taxation in partnership with Ernst & Young. TEBTR measures the effective tax rate on the private sector economy as a percent of Gross State Product (GSP). It includes ten categories of state and local taxes paid by businesses and is considered an important measure of state competitiveness. Minnesota’s TEBTR of 4.3% is the lowest in the five-state region and compared favorably against the national average of 4.7%. Twin Cities Metro Area Economy Ranks Among Nation’s Strongest (2010) The Twin Cities metro area ranks 31st among 336 MSAs in economic strength, reports POLICOM, an independent economic research firm that publishes an annual Economic Strength Ranking. The 2010 ranking puts the Twin Cities’ economy among the country’s top 10%. POLICOM bases its findings on 23 economic factors drawn from a 20-year period. It defines “economic strength” as the long-term tendency of an area to consistently grow in both size and quality. Minneapolis Named “Top Ten Boom Town” for Job Growth in Next Decade (2010) If future job growth is all about brain power, then the best jobs will go to the cities with the industries and entrepreneurial incentives to support a highly educated, tech-savvy workforce. Minneapolis is one of those cities. It was named a top ten “Boom Town” by BNET, CBS’ Business Network in 2010. Drawing upon Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, interviews with regional economists, and industry trends, BNET identified “ten hot spots where jobs will likely grow in the double digits” in the next decade. Like all the Boom Towns on the list, Minneapolis is home to notable research institutions, has solid technology-based sectors, and is a great place to live. It was singled out for offering “practical jobs in practically every field.” Twin Cities Economy Is 14th Largest in U.S. (2009) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro economy is the 14th largest in the nation, according to a 2009 report by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The region, which ranks 16th largest in population, generated a gross metropolitan product of $193.9 billion in 2008. GMP measures the total output of goods and services within a given area in a given year. It is a small-scale equivalent of gross domestic product, the national measure of economic prowess. Minnesota Ranks in Top Third for Business, Says Forbes (2009) Forbes magazine ranked Minnesota No. 17 on its 2009 list of top states for business. Minnesota scored high in two of six categories: quality of life rank (No. 6 in the nation) and the quality of its labor force (No. 10). Forbes based its list on data drawn from several sources, including Moody’sEconomy.com, Sperling’s Best Places, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Education. Minneapolis and Saint Paul Dominate the List of Next Cities™ for Young, Talented Workers (2009) The Twin Cities dominate the list of 2009-2010 U.S. Next Cities™ with populations of 200,000-500,000. Minneapolis ranks second and Saint Paul is fifth in the “midsize magnets” category. The list was developed by Next Generation Consulting, a research and consulting company which evaluates cities based on characteristics that matter to young talent. Here’s what matters, in order of importance: cost of lifestyle; earning; vitality; after hours; learning; around town; and social capital. Miliken Institute Ranks Minneapolis 9th in Life Science Clusters (2009) The Miliken Institute ranked Minneapolis ninth nationally as a life science cluster. The Santa Monica-based economic think tank based its 2009 report on a range of factors, from employment to capacity for research and development. The city ranked highest among 11 regions for med-tech employment. Overall, its biggest strengths are in medical devices and therapeutics, the report noted. BusinessWeek Names Eden Prairie as “Best Place to Start a Business in Minnesota” (2009) BusinessWeek set out to find the best small cities for startups in each state, aiming primarily at places where high-growth companies could thrive. It enlisted GIS Planning, which developed the MetroMSP.org website, to identify those go-to cities. The process considered 11 factors that shape a city's entrepreneurial climate, including the number of small businesses and startups, the quality of the workforce, the presence of universities, and measures of innovation (such as patents issued and venture capital invested.) Eden Prairie, located in the southwest corner of Hennepin County, topped the 2009 list. Metro MSP Jumps Ahead in Forbes List of “Best Paces for Business and Careers” (2009) The Minneapolis-Saint Paul region moved up 27 slots on Forbes’ annual list of “Best Places for Business and Careers” in 2009. The survey compared the 200 largest metro areas in the country based on 11 factors, including job and income growth, cost of doing business, cost of living, crime rate, educational attainment, presence of four-year colleges, cultural and recreational opportunities, and net migration. The Metro MSP outperformed most rivals in two areas: concentrations of colleges (fifth place) and culture and leisure (13th place). Twin Cities Named MarketWatch’s “Best Metro for Business” for Second Year (2008) For the second consecutive year, the Minneapolis/Saint Paul region topped MarketWatch’s list of the best metro centers for business. The Metro MSP region again won by wide margin, placing 20 points ahead of its nearest competitor, Boston. Despite an ailing national economy, “the concentration of (MSP) companies has stayed strong, and job growth continues while unemployment remains relatively low…The region seems prepared to handle whatever economic onslaught may be on tap.” The report compared 50 large metro regions in eight different objective metrics. Sherburne Makes Money’s National List of the “Best 25 Counties for Job Growth” (2008) Sherburne is the only county in Minnesota to be named to Money magazine’s list of the “Best 25 Counties for Job Growth” in 2008. It ranked 22nd nationally, based on 37.5% job growth over the last seven years, starting in 2000. Sherburne County is fed by two growth centers – St. Cloud to the north and the Twin Cities to the south. It is lauded as “a cushy place for a new company to grow, with business development assistance and reasonably-priced commercial and industrial land.” Minneapolis/Saint Paul Places Second in Forbes’ “Best U.S. Cities to Earn a Living” List (2008) Metro MSP is the second best U.S. city in which to make a living, according to Forbes’ magazine. It outpaces Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York on the best-of list. It’s a close second to Houston. The new ranking compares the nation’s 40 largest metros on the quality of their business environments. It gives weight to the number of Forbes-ranked best big and small companies in a city. It also considers median income, cost of living, and job-growth forecasts. Report editors salute the Twin Cities for its concentration of corporate headquarters, noting that it has more of the nation’s top companies than any other city. Minnesota Lauded for Manufacturing Momentum by Business Facilities (2008) Minnesota is ranked 14th nationally for its “Manufacturing Momentum” – based on the strength of its existing facilities and the progress it has made in growing its manufacturing base. Only 15 states made Business Facilities’ top list in 2008. Minnesota Ranks Tenth in CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business” List (2008) Minnesota is the tenth top state for business in America, according to CNBC’s annual state-by-state comparison. CNBC scored every state on 40 different measures of competitiveness, with weight given to categories that are frequently cited in economic development marketing materials. Minnesota ranked near the top in three critical categories: quality of life (No. 5), transportation (No. 8), and education (No. 9) Fortune Small Business Lists Minneapolis Among “100 Best Places to Live and Launch” (2008) Fortune Small Business scoured the country for cities that combined a great business environment with alluring leisure offerings. Three Minnesota cities made the cut: Minneapolis (23rd), Rochester (53rd) and St. Cloud (75th). The magazine considered economic conditions as well as natural beauty and access to arts and recreation.
Eight Minnesota Firms Listed Among Nation's Fastest-Growing by Inc. Magazine (2011) Eight Minnesota firms made Inc. magazine’s 2011 list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in America. Another 82 made the Inc. 5,000 list of the fastest-growing private firms. Both lists measure revenue growth from 2007 through 2010 among U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit and independent companies. Minnesota’s top-flight eight are all based in the Greater MSP metro region:
Jobs2web and MetroSpec were among 2010’s 500 fastest-growing private companies as well. At least 35 Minnesota companies have been included in the Inc. 500 list over the past five years. Ecolab and General Mills Rank Among World’s “Most Innovative Companies” (2011) Ecolab and General Mills made Forbes’ list of the world’s “most innovative" companies in 2011. Saint Paul-based Ecolab was ranked 28th on the list. Golden Valley-based General Mills followed closely at 31st. Massachusetts-based Boston Scientific, which employs about 5,000 people in the Twin Cities, was ranked No. 91 on the list of 100 companies worldwide. Forbes calculated the ratings using an “innovation premium,” which measures the difference between the value of the company’s existing businesses and its expected future innovations. Seven Minnesota Firms Make Fortune’s Global 500 List (2011) Seven Minnesota companies made Fortune magazine’s 2011 Global 500 list, with UnitedHealth Group leading the way at No. 62 in the world. Representing Minnesota in the magazine’s annual ranking of the world's largest corporations ranked by revenue are:
Companies with strong regional presence in Minnesota also on the list are:
Target, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo Branded as “World’s Most Valuable Brands” (2011) The latest entrant into the battle of the brands is Millward Brown, a global brands agency that published its first brand ranking in May 2011. Target and U.S. Bancorp led Minnesota companies on the list of the world’s most valuable brands, placing 65th and 84th, respectively. Target had a value of $12.5 billion, up 3% from 2010. U.S. Bank had a value of $10.5 billion, up 26%. San Francisco-based Wells Fargo, which has large regional operations in Minneapolis, was ranked 16th with a value of $36.9 billion. It was the third-largest gainer in value, increasing by 97%. Four Minnesota Companies Ascend in Harris Interactive’s Reputation Survey (2011) 3M and General Mills rank in the Top 10 of Harris Interactive’s annual poll of corporate reputations. Both moved up one spot in 2011, with Maplewood-based 3M ranking third and Golden Valley-based General Mills placing ninth. Richfield-based Best Buy and Minneapolis-based Target also ascended on the list, placing 27th and 28th, respectively. Two firms with large Minnesota operation also ranked highly: Wells Fargo came in at 45th and Delta Air Lines followed closely at 51st. The results were based on an online survey of 30,000 people. 16 Minnesota Companies Make Forbes’ Global 2000 List (2011) UnitedHealth Group ranks 106th in the world on Forbes' 2011 list of the largest public companies. It leads a group of 16 Minnesota companies on the first-ever Global 2000 list of the world’s largest publicly traded companies. In compiling the list, Forbes considered four equally-weighted factors – company sales, profits, assets and market value. Minnesota companies, in rank-order, include:
In addition, Wells Fargo places 11th and Delta Air Lines ranks 470th. Although they aren't based in Minnesota, both companies have large operations in the state. 3M, General Mills and Target Top Forbes’ List of “Most Reputable Big Companies” (2011) Forbes’ 2011 list of “America’s Most Reputable Big Companies” includes nine Minnesota companies. Maplewood-based 3M is named the most reputable large company in Minnesota and ranks fourth nationally. Golden Valley-based General Mills and Minneapolis-based Target also place among the top 25. The Forbes list measures consumers’ perceptions of the 150 largest companies in the country. It was compiled by the Reputation Institute, a New York-based private consulting firm, which conducted an online study of almost 33,000 consumer in the first quarter of 2011. Each company earned a score between zero and 100. The scores represent an average measure of people’s feelings – or reputation – for a company. The scores were statistically derived from four emotional indicators: trust, esteem, admiration, and good feeling. Also on the “Most Reputable” list are Twin Cities-based Medtronic, Supervalu, Best Buy, UnitedHealth Group, Xcel Energy and U.S. Bancorp. Target and Best Buy Recognized Among World’s Top Retail Brands (2011) Minneapolis-based Target and Richfield-based Best Buy are among the world’s most valuable retail brands, according to a 2011 study by Interbrand, a brand consultancy with 40 offices in 25 countries. The study examines “the ongoing investment and management of the brand as a business asset.” The report takes into account each company’s financial performance, multiplying earnings by the percentage of profits that can be attributed specifically to its brand. Target ranked second among U.S. brands with a “brand value” of $23.3 million. Best Buy ranked fourth with a brand value of $18.8 million – up 6% from the previous year’s report. Throughout the United States, the top 50 brands increased in value by about 5% from 2010, reaching a value of $20 billion. Increased retail spending prompted the growth. Business Journal Lists Minnesota's Top Public Companies (2011) Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal announced Minnesota’s top 100 companies for 2011. Leading the list is UnitedHealth Group, with 2010 revenues of $94 billion. Next in line are retail giant Target, with revenues of $67.4 billion, and consumer electronics retailer Best Buy, with revenues of $50.6 billion. Also on the list are SuperValu, 3M (Minnesota’s most improved revenue performer), US Bancorp, and medical device manufacturer Medtronic. Four Metro MSP Companies Make Ethisphere’s"Most Ethical" List (2011) Best Buy, Ecolab, General Mills and Target made the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” list in 2011 for the second consecutive year. The 110-company list, published by the Ethisphere Institute, recognizes companies that “demonstrate real and sustained ethical leadership within their industries, putting into real business practice the Institute’s credo of ‘Good. Smart. Business. Profit.’” Ethisphere does not rank the firms on its list. General Mills Named a Top 10 Company for Executive Women (2011) For the second year in a row, General Mills was named as one of the Top 10 companies for executive women by the National Association for Female Executives. Although NAFE does not rank the winners, it confirmed that General Mills was among to top 10 on its list of top 50. The list recognizes companies that have policies and practices that encourage women's advancement. General Mills, Target, Wells Fargo Recognized as Top Companies for Diversity (2011) General Mills, Target and Wells Fargo ranked among the "Top 50 Companies for Diversity" in Diversity Inc.’s 11th annual list. General Mills ranked 27th and Target placed 44th. Wells Fargo, which is based in San Francisco but has significant regional operations in Minnesota, took 40th place. 2011 marks General Mills’ seventh appearance on the list, up two spots since 2010. The editors liked that General Mills has a formal succession-planning program for blacks, Latinos, Asians and American Indians. It also appreciated that a third of General Mills' philanthropic giving is directed to ethnic, LGBT and disability non-profits. The magazine applauded Target’s requirement of four hours of diversity training for its entire workforce every month. It also recognized that 90% of all Target employees participate in "a strong mentoring program with a cross-cultural component." The Top 50 list is based on a diversity management survey that measures CEO commitment, human capital, corporate communications and supplier diversity. 3M, Target and Best Buy Rank Among Fortune’s “Most Admired Companies” (2011) 3M, Target and Best Buy made Fortune magazine's top 50 list of the "World's Most Admired Companies" in 2011. 3M was ranked 15th, Target 22nd, and Best Buy 36th. Wells Fargo, which is based in San Francisco but has significant regional operations in Minneapolis, placed 41st. Fortune also singled out three Twin Cities companies as "industry champions," indicating that they are the most admired companies in their sector. The winners were 3M in the medical and precision equipment sector; U.S. Bancorp in the super regional banks sector; and UnitedHealth Group in insurance and managed care.
3M Leads Minnesota Firms on Corporate Responsibility List of Best Corporate Citizens (2011) 3M led a group of six Metro MSP companies named among the "100 Best Corporate Citizens" in America by Corporate Responsibility Magazine. Maplewood-based 3M placed sixth on the 2011 citizenry list. Other top-ranked Minnesota companies include Golden Valley-based General Mills (12th), Minneapolis-based Target (42nd), Fridley-based Medtronic (66th), Plymouth-based Mosaic (67th), and Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy (91st). The 12th annual list drew upon public information in seven categories: environment, climate change, human rights, philanthropy, employee relations, financial performance, and governance. General Mills Moves Up on Fortune’s “Best Companies to Work for” List (2011) General Mills moved up five slots on Fortune’s 2011 list of the “100 Best Companies to Work for,” ranking 58th nationally. Fortune praised the Golden Valley-based food company for its culture, which it claims “is not flashy, loud or arrogant.” The magazine also noted that nearly 2,500 of General Mill’s 33,000 employees are 25-year veterans. Rochester-based Mayo Clinic also made the Best Companies list, ranking 61st. Five Minneapolis/Saint Paul Companies Make Newsweek’s “Green Rankings” List (2010) Five Twin Cities companies – 3M, Ecolab, Medtronic, Target and Best Buy – rank among America’s top 90 companies on Newsweek’s Green Rankings list. The 2010 tally ranks the 500 largest public companies in the U.S. based on their “green score,” which encompasses environmental impact, green policies, and reputation. Of the Metro MSP companies, Maplewood-based 3M ranked highest at 22nd. St. Paul-based Ecolab was close behind at 26th. Newsweek teamed with three environmental partners – MSCI ESG Research, Trucost and CorporateRegister.com – to compile the list. Three Metro MSP Companies Make Working Mother’s Top 10 List (2010) Golden Valley-based General Mills is one of the best companies in America for working mothers, according to Working Mother magazine, which placed the maker of Cheerios and Hamburger Helper in its 2010 Top 10 list. Two other Metro MSP operations, Minnetonka-based Carlson and Bloomington-base McGladrey, made the magazine’s Top 100 list. General Mills is a perennial on the annual ranking. Carlson and McGladrey both have appeared in past years. The magazine notes that General Mills has moms running five of its seven U.S. retail divisions. It credits Carlson hospitality and travel company with giving workers renewable scholarships to attend the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. Women make up half of Carlson’s top earners and management team members. Bloomington-based McGladrey, which includes RSM McGladrey consulting firm and McGladrey & Pullen auditing firm, is credited with embracing alternative schedules. More than 90% of its employees work a flexible schedule. Seven Minnesota Companies Make Inc’s 500 Fastest-Growing List (2010) Seven Minnesota companies made Inc. magazine’s annual list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The 2010 list is based on each company’s percentage of revenue growth between 2006 and 2009. Six of the seven high-growth companies are based in the Metro MSP region. The list includes:
For the fourth year in a row, Inc. also released an expanded list of America’s 5,000 fastest-growing companies. It includes 92 Minnesota companies. Total revenue among the 5,000 increased to $321.6 billion, up more than 50% from 2009. Working Mother Names General Mills Among Best Companies for Multicultural Women (2010) Working Mother magazine named Golden Valley-based General Mills as one of the top five companies in America for multicultural women. Selection was based hiring, pay and promotion data submitted by the companies and the results of a 350-question survey. The survey focused on representation of multicultural women; recruitment, retention and advancement programs; and company culture. Although General Mills is the only Minnesota-based company to make the 2010 short list, two other top companies (Verizon and Deloitte) have significant operations in the state. “Keeping cultural inclusiveness top of mind during the economic downturn was a business imperative (to these companies)…Our winners retain star staffers by recognizing that top talent comes from different backgrounds,” said the magazine. General Mills and 3M Win Golds at Edison Innovation Awards (2010) Two Minnesota companies took first place the 2010 Edison Best New Product Awards, a national innovation contest held in New York City. Maplewood-based 3M won gold medal in the technology category for its mobile projection technology, and another in electronics and computers for the Littmann electronic stethoscope model 3200. Golden Valley-based General Mills received a gold in consumer packaged foods for its Betty Crocker gluten-free dessert mix line. “The Edison Award winners are the moving parts in the engine of economic growth,” said Sarah Miller Caldicott, great grandniece of Thomas Edison and chairperson of the Edison Awards steering committee. Three Minnesota Companies Make Forbes’ Most Trustworthy List (2010) Forbes’ annual list of the 100 most-trustworthy companies includes three Minnesota-based companies: Capella Education of Minneapolis; Fastenal of Winona; and Hormel Foods of Austin. Companies on the list have “consistently demonstrated transparent and conservative accounting practices and solid corporate governance and management,” according to Forbes. Forbes engaged New York-based Audit Integrity to compile the list. The research firm evaluated more than 8,000 publicly traded companies, all with market caps of $200 million or more. It penalized companies for unusual executive compensation, significant management turnover, excessive insider trading and major short-term executive compensation. Fastenal ranked 8th on the large-cap list, with Hormel following closely at 13th. Capella placed 41st on the mid-cap list, which contained the largest number of companies. 21 Minnesota Companies Make Fortune 500 list (2010) Twenty-one Minnesota-based companies made the 2010 Fortune 500 list, an annual ranking of the country’s largest corporations. All 19 companies from last year’s list made the cut, plus two new companies: Saint Paul-based St. Jude Medical, and Eden Prairie-based Alliant Techsystems. Four Minnesota companies are among Fortune’s top 50: Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group; Minneapolis-based Target Corporation; Richfield-based Best Buy; and Eden Prairie-based Supervalu. Target and Best Buy Rank 2nd and 3rd Among Most Valuable Retail Brands (2010) Target and Best Buy brands are second only to Wal-Mart as the “most valuable U.S. retail brands,” according to a 2010 report by the global Interbrand Design Forum. Minneapolis-based Target ranked second and Richfield-based Best Buy ranked third on the list of the top 50 brands. "Target’s enduring blend of style and mass discount proves that value and hip are not mutually exclusive," according to the report. The Forum also mentioned how Best Buy influences which products come to market by working with suppliers. Medtronic Named Top Innovator (2010) Medtronic was the only Minnesota company to make Technology Review’s 2010 list of the 50 “most innovative companies” in America. The magazine, published by MIT, recognized Medtronic for its deep brain stimulation technology. The technology improves certain neurological conditions by using implanted electrodes to stimulate areas of the brain. In compiling the unranked list, the magazine considered companies’ business models, technology deployments, scaling-up strategies, and likelihood of success. Six Minnesota Companies Named “Best Corporate Citizens” by Corporate Responsibility Magazine (2010) A half-dozen Minnesota companies made the 2010 list of America’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens published by Corporate Responsibility Magazine (formerly CRO Magazine). Golden Valley-based General Mills came closest to the top at No. 3. Xcel Energy of Minneapolis came next at No. 30. It was followed by 3M of Maplewood at 32, Hormel Foods of Austin at 40, Mosaic of Plymouth at 45, and Medronic of Fridley at 77. All except Hormel are located in the Metro MSP region. General Mills, 3M, Cargill and Target Make Fortune's “Top Companies for Leaders” List (2009) Fortune magazine’s 2009 list of “Top Companies for Leaders” includes four Metro MSP corporations. General Mills placed third among the Global Top 25. 3M and Cargill came in 16th and 7th, respectively, among global firms. A narrower list of North American-based companies put General Mills third, 3M 10th, Cargill 11th and Target 12th. This was the first year that Target had applied to be on the list. It seeks to identify the best businesses in the world at attracting, retaining, and nurturing talent. The rankings are based on surveys of more than 500 global companies. They also draw on analysis, interviews, and insights from a panel of judges. Five Metro MSP Companies Score in Reputation Survey (2009) Five companies in the Metro MSP region – General Mills, 3M, Best Buy, Medtronic and Target – were cited among the most reputable companies in America in the Reputation Institute’s annual survey. General Mills ranked fourth highest in the nation for the second consecutive year. 3M was close behind in 12th place. The online survey, published in Forbes magazine, measured 153 companies on perceptions such as trust, esteem, admiration and good feeling. More Than 50 Twin Cities MSA Companies Make Inc.’s Fastest Growing List (2008) More than 50 companies in the Twin Cities MSA made the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private U.S. companies. The top five include Bloomington-based Adayana (254), Plymouth-based Logisolve Consulting (378), Minneapolis-based Verisae (402), Waconia-based Custom HBC Corp. (479) and Plymouth-based ActiFi. The New York-based magazine’s 2008 roster ranks privately held, for-profit, independent companies according to percentage revenue growth from 2004 through 2007. A total of 106 Minnesota companies made the list. Eight Metro MSP Firms Make Fortune’s Global 500 List (2008) Eight Twin Cites-based companies made the 2008 Global 500 – Fortune magazine’s annual ranking of the world’s largest companies. UnitedHealth Group was the top-ranked local company, placing 81st. Target ranked 102nd, followed by Best Buy, The Travelers, 3M, U.S. Bancorp and CHS. San Francisco-based Wells Fargo, which has major regional holdings in Minneapolis, ranked 126th. Three Metro MSP Tech Firms Recognized Among “America’s Fastest-Growing Small Companies” (2008) Three Metro MSP technology firms have landed on Fortune Small Business magazine’s 2008 list of “America’s 100 Fastest-Growing Small Public Companies.” Arden Hills-based IntriCon Corp. secured the No. 22 spot. It designs and makes tiny components for medical devices. Saint Paul-based MedTox Scientific ranked 78th. It distributes tests for illegal substances. Wayzata-based Nortech Systems capped the list at 100th place. It manufactures electronics. Three Metro MSP Companies Named to Ethispheres Most Ethical List (2008) Three Metro MSP companies rank among the worlds most ethical companies, according to the national business magazine, Ethisphere. The companies are Saint Paul-based Ecolab, Golden Valley-based General Mills, and Blaine-based Aveda. Ethispheres annual ranking considers nine areas that impact ethical practices: governance, innovation, executive leadership, industry leadership, perception and reputation, transparency, legal and regulatory, internal systems, and citizenship. Two Metro MSP Companies Rank Among “World’s Most Innovative” (2008) Maplewood-based 3M and Minneapolis-based Target are on BusinessWeek’s top 25 list of the world’s most innovative companies. The selection was based on such criteria as three-year revenue, margin growth and stock returns. The selection panel cited 3M’s significant R & D investment, and Target’s growing distinction as an upscale, trendy discounter as evidence of laudable innovation. Two Metro MSP Companies Named “Best Places to Work in IT” (2008) Two Minneapolis/Saint Paul companies cracked the top 11 slots on ComputerWorld magazine’s list of “100 Best Places to Work in IT.” General Mills, which has 647 IT employees, ranked third nationally. Securian Financial, with 430 IT employees, ranked 11th.
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Minnesota Leads Midwest in Health Care Start-up Investments (2011) According to a study by BioEnterprise, health-care start-ups in Minnesota received $88.3 million in investments in the first half of 2011, the most of any state in the region. Thirteen health care start-ups in Minnesota collectively received $88.3 million in investments in the first half of 2011. That’s the most of any state in the region, according to BioEnterprise’s Midwest Health Care Venture Investment Report. The 2011 figures for Minnesota are well above last year’s investments at this time – when seven companies collectively received $42.8 million. The author of the report, Cleveland-based BioEnterprise, focuses on funding, business formation, and recruitment for bioscience companies. Metro MSP Market Places 12th Nationally for Small Business Creation (2011) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul region ranks 12th in the nation for small business creation, according to a 2011 study by The Business Journals. The national online news source compared 100 large U.S. metro areas on their ability to create and develop small businesses over the last year. The Twin Cites’ performance has improved markedly since 2009, when it ranked 40th. The study used a six-part formula to identify the places that offer the best climates for small businesses. Criteria included growth rates in population, employment and small business openings. Small businesses are defined as “private-sector employers with fewer than 100 workers.” Minnesota Ranks Fourth in Life-Sciences VC Ranking (2010) Minnesota ranks fourth in the Midwest in venture capital funding for life-sciences start-ups, according a 2010 VC survey by BioEnterprise. The Cleveland-based industry development organization based its findings on range of sources and publications – in contrast to the MoneyTree Report, which collects self-reported information from venture-capital firms. Minnesota’s med-tech and biotech startups raised $78.5 million in venture capital through the first three quarters of 2010, reports BioEnterprise. That capital funded 11 deals. Eight Minnesotans Win Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award (2010) Minnesota cleaned up at the 2010 Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” awards for the Upper Midwest. Eight Minnesota business owners (all from the Metro MSP region) and one Wisconsin owner were chosen from 24 finalists within the four-state region. The Minnesota winners include:
Now in its 24th year, the entrepreneurship awards program honors those who are building and leading successful, growing, and dynamic businesses.
Minneapolis Is 4th Most Socially Networked City in America, Says Men’s Health (2011) Minneapolis ranked fourth on Men’s Health magazine’s 2011 list of the “most socially networked cities.” Minnesota’s most populous city earned an A+ grade and ranked just behind Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Denver, which took the top three spots, respectively. Just across the river, Saint Paul ranked 29th on the list of plugged-in cities. Men’s Health compiled the list, which includes 100 major U.S. cities, by calculating the number of Facebook and LinkedIn users per capita – looking at overall Twitter usage. The national magazine also factored in traffic generated by the major social networks, including Myspace, Friendster, Reddit, and Digg. In addition, it looked at the percentage of households that check out chat rooms and blogs. Minnesota Beats National Average for Broadband Service (2011) Minnesota has more households with broadband service, and more residents with access to higher-speed broadband Internet (50 megabits per second or more) than the national average, according to a study conducted by Connect Minnesota in partnership with the Minnesota Broadband Task Force and the Minnesota Department of Commerce. According to the study, 72% of Minnesota households have broadband service, compared to 67% nationally. Nearly 97% of Minnesota households have access to broadband – just shy of the Task Force’s 2015 goal of complete coverage. The study also found that availability of higher-speed broadband service is significantly greater in Minnesota than in many others states. Minneapolis Ranks Among World’s Most Successful Cities, Reports New Scientist (2010) Minneapolis is one of 10 U.S. cities to top New Scientist’s personality test of the world’s most successful cities. Unlike most city ratings based on per capital indicators, New Scientist adjusted for a population bias which makes large cities look more unusual than they actually are. Researchers called this adjustment “super-linear scaling.” When applied to comprehensive set of data on 350 large metro areas, they concluded “that some supposedly exceptional cities, such as New York, are in fact quite ordinary. Other less-heralded places, like Minneapolis, emerge as unusually successful.” Minnesota Ranks Second Nationally in Med-Tech Jobs (2010) Minnesota boasts the second-highest number of medical technology jobs in the country, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Advanced Medical Technology Association. With about 27,000 people employed in the industry in 2007, Minnesota has a “disproportionately high” number of med-tech workers – more than three times the national average. The jobs make up more than 1% of the state’s total employment, the highest proportion of any state in the nation. Twin Cities Named 12th in Innovation by Forbes (2010) In Forbes’ first-ever ranking of “America's Most Innovative Cities,” Minneapolis/Saint Paul ranked 12th among the 100 largest MSAs. The list is based on patents and venture capital investment per capita, as well as concentrations of high-tech, science and "creative" jobs. Not coincidentally, most of the highly ranked cities on the list boasted a major university. In the case of Metro MSP, it’s the University of Minnesota. Minneapolis Makes “Fast Cities” List for Wireless Efforts (2010) Minneapolis made Fast Company magazine’s 2010 list of “Fast Cities,” thanks to its efforts to make broadband available to everyone. The annual list takes the “best and boldest ideas” from across the nation and recognizes cities for the strides they’ve made. Twelve cities made this year’s list. “Most municipal Wi-Fi initiatives end in the graveyard, but cemeteries are among the few spots not covered by Minneapolis’ new $20 million wireless network, which blankets 95 percent of its 59 square miles,” the magazine wrote. Minnesota Ranks High in Internet Access (2010) Minnesota is one of the top states in the country for Internet access, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The North Star State is No. 4 for individuals with access to the Internet from some location, with more than 76% of Minnesotans having access somewhere. Nationwide, the average was just over 68%. Twin Cities Rank 9th Globally for Neurotechnology, Reports NeuroInsights (2009) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul region ranks ninth in the world in neurotechnology leadership, according to a global study released in 2009 by NeuroInsights and the Neurotechnology Industry Organization. The “Neurotech Clusters 2010” study ranks metropolitan areas on three broad factors: number of neuroscience-focused companies, availability of local risk capital, and social infrastructure. The Twin Cities was listed as an “emerging cluster” because it has significant resources and is poised for expansion. It has 23 neurotechnology companies (five public and 18 private), including Medtronic and St. Jude Medical. It ranked 13th for risk capital and 10th for neurotechnology infrastructure. Twin Cities MSA Leads Nation in Concentration of Medical Device & Equipment Jobs (2008) The Twin Cities MSA trumps the nation in employment concentration in the medical device and equipment industry, announced the Business Facilities’ 2008 Rankings Report. The top ranking reflects the economic strength of the region, given that biotechnology “is the fastest growing economic development sector in the U.S.” As a state, Minnesota ranks second nationally, with 7% of its jobs in medical devices and equipment. Minnesota Named “Top Ten Leader” in Overall Biotech Strength by Business Facilities (2008) Minnesota is one of America’s top-ranked states in overall biotechnology strength, according to Business Facilities’ 2008 Rankings Report. The neck-and-neck national ranking was based on 20 expanded criteria pulled from government stats and the latest State Bioscience Initiatives Report. “Every state that placed in the top 10 this year should be considered a biotech leader,” said the report’s authors. Business Facilities Ranks Minnesota Eighth in Biotech Venture Capital Investments (2008) The State of Minnesota invested nearly $1.5 million in biotech venture capital in 2007 – the eight highest of any state, according to Business Facilities’ annual Ranking Report. This year’s report gave special credit to states like Minnesota that “walked the talk” by financially supporting biotech initiatives. Twin Cities MSA Named One of Nation’s Top Cyber Regions (2008) The Twin Cities MSA ranks among the nation’s top high-tech employment regions, according to the annual Cybercities report by the American Electronics Association. The 2008 report names the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region first in med-tech talent and third in measuring and control instruments manufacturing jobs. It places the Midwest cyber region 15th overall, based on a total of 98,000 tech jobs in 2006 (the most recent for which year was available).
Minneapolis/Saint Paul Scores High for Young Brainpower (2011) According to the Business Journal’s “On Numbers” blog, the Twin Cities and Rochester are national brain trusts. Both cities have high concentrations of young, college-educated people – an attractive asset to existing and expanding businesses. In the Twin Cities, 31% of people under the age of 35 have college degrees, placing it 11th nationally. In Rochester, the percentage moves up to 34%, placing it fifth in the county. Twin Cities Boast High Proportion of High-Skilled Immigrants (2011) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul region has a higher proportion of high-skilled immigrants than most areas of the country, according to a 2011 report from the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings. The Twin Cities has 125 highly skilled immigrants for every 100 low-skilled immigrants, giving it a similar profile to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Seattle and San Jose. The report used data from the U.S. Census Bureau for the nation's largest 100 metro areas. Brookings identifies Minneapolis/Saint Paul as a "re-emerging gateway," meaning it saw fast immigrant growth at the end of the 20th century and into the last decade. More than 9% of Twin Cities population is made up of immigrants – less than Philadelphia, Seattle and Denver, but more than cities like Baltimore. Minneapolis Is Nation's Third-Most Literate City (2011) Minneapolis is the third-most literate city in the nation, behind Washington, D.C., and Seattle, according to an annual study by Central Connecticut State University. Saint Paul also made the brainy list, coming in seventh. Researchers based their findings on six main indicators for literacy among cities with populations of at least 250,000: newspaper circulation, number of bookstores, library resources, periodical publishing resources, educational attainment, and Internet resources. Portfolio Recognizes Twin Cities for Its Smarts (2010) A 2010 Portfolio.com study of the country's 200 largest metro areas ranked Minneapolis/Saint Paul 18th strongest in collective brainpower. Researchers analyzed U.S. Census Bureau data for post-secondary education and high-school dropout rates to come up with a national “brainpower index.” The Daily Beast Names Minneapolis/Saint Paul Among America’s Top Brainpower Cities (2010) For the second year in a row, The Daily Beast compared the brainpower of America’s 55 largest cities. The Minneapolis/Saint Paul region ranked eighth – a sign that it is more likely to bounce back from the recent recession than regions with less intellectual vigor. The scorekeeping considered only metro regions with at least 1 million people. It awarded points in two broad categories: education and intellectual environment. The first criteria looked at the percentage of residents with bachelor’s and graduate degrees. The second considered nonfiction book sales, the ratio of institutions of higher education, and libraries per capita. Twin Cities Ranks Among Nation’s Best Places to Get a College Education (2009) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro area ranked ninth among major metro areas in the American Institute for Economic Research’s 2009 College Destinations Index. Unlike other college rankings, the College Destination Index gives prospective students an idea of an area’s attractiveness versus an institution’s attractiveness. This year’s index was based on 12 measures – including concentration of students, arts and leisure options, and entrepreneurial activity. It ranked more than 360 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) within four tiers, based on population. The Twin Cities fell in the largest, most competitive tier. Four Minnesota Colleges Make Kiplinger’s Lists of “Top 50 Best Values” (2009) Three Minnesota schools made Kiplinger’s annual list of the top 50 “best value liberal arts colleges” in the U.S. Macalester College in St. Paul placed 20th. Carlton College and St. Olaf College, both located in Northfield just south of the Metro MSP region, ranked seventh and 37th, respectively. And the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities campus) was named 45th on the sister list of “best value public universities.” In making its assessments, Kiplinger’s weighs quality of academics against affordability, giving double weight to quality Minnesota Students Among the Best in the World in Math and Science (2008) If Minnesota were a nation, its fourth- and eighth-grade students would outperform students from most other countries in math and science, according to a study published in 2008 by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement. The report shows that Minnesota students held their spot near the top of the world in science in 2007. They also made considerable progress in the last dozen years in math, advancing to sixth place among the dozens of countries which participated in the international study. Business Facilities Recognizes Minnesota and Metro MSP for Their Educated Workforces (2008) Saint Paul and Minneapolis both made the Business Facilities’ honor roll for the nation’s “Most Educated Workforces.” Saint Paul placed fifth nationally, and Minneapolis ranked eighth. Although city and state rankings don’t always follow suit, Minnesota was right in line with the Twin Cities metro. It placed third best in the county. The Ranking Report tracked the number of employees over 25 with high school, college or advanced degrees. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Ranks Seventh Nationally in Brainpower by Bizjournals (2008) The Twin Cities region is one of the “ten smartest metros” in America, according to Bizjournals. The newspaper group cites two reasons for the region’s solid intellectual base: it is “the corporate capital of the Upper Midwest” and the home of the University of Minnesota. It also has an exceptionally low high school dropout rate.
Minnesota Ranks 19th in Nation for LEED-certified Buildings (2011) Minnesota ranks 19th among states for the number of LEED-certified commercial spaces, according to a 2011 analysis by the Memphis Business Journal. LEED is a widely recognized program that certifies buildings as environmentally friendly and efficient in their energy and water use, among other factors. The Business Journal analysis is based on a list of 8,776 buildings that have been certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as of June 2011. Minnesota has eight platinum-certified buildings, the highest level of LEED certification. The largest is the Marquette Plaza in Minneapolis. It also has 56 buildings with gold certification, 41 with silver, and the remaining with the "certified" label. “Green Sector” Growing in Minnesota, Brookings Institution Study Says (2011) The “green industry” employs nearly 40,000 workers in Minnesota and is expanding – making it a viable source of economic growth, says a 2011 study by the Brookings Institution. The report found that the private-sector green economy is dominated by export-minded manufacturers, but the broader definition of “green” includes mass transit, nuclear power and ethanol producers. Brookings ranked the Twin Cities region 11th nationally in the number of clean-economy jobs. Minnesota Named a Leading State for Sustainability (2011) Minnesota was heralded as the fourth most sustainable state in the United States in the July 2011 issue of Site Selection magazine. The editors ranked states on a host of factors, including the number of renewable energy manufacturing and supply chain facilities, the number of LEED-certified projects, the amount of renewable energy generation per capita, incentives for green projects, and alternative-fuel vehicles in use.“Top-ranking areas for sustainability don’t just pass restrictive laws or put token solar panels on every edifice,” wrote Editor Adam Bruns. “They nurture an ecosystem of business, institutions, government and individual citizens all striving to place a proper value on their locality’s limited resources.” Minneapolis Ranks Among the 10 Greenest Cities (2011) Minneapolis placed 10th among the most sustainable cities in U.S. and Canada, according to a survey conducted by the research arm of the Economist. Dubbed the “Green City Index,” the study assessed 27 of the most populous cities in the two countries on environmental performance and policies across nine categories. Minneapolis scored high in land use, water consumption, and water quality policies. The city’s waste-recycling methods and waste-reduction policies also fared well. The study was sponsored by Siemens. Minnesota Ranks 7th on Clean-Energy Leadership Index (2011) Minnesota ranks seventh among all 50 states in the area of clean energy, according to Clean Edge's clean energy leadership index. States are ranked based on three categories of factors: technology, policy, and capital. Minnesota's score of 57 ties it with New Mexico for seventh place. Minnesota Gets High Marks for LEED Buildings (2011) Minnesota is a national leader in environmental design, ranking 10th for green building practices according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The 2011 top-10 ranking is based on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified commercial and institutional buildings per capita. Minnesota has 2.77 square feet of LEED-certified space per person “Using per capita (measurements)…reminds us that the people who live and work, learn and play in buildings should be what we care about most,” said a LEED spokesman. LEED certification distinguishes high-performance buildings that have a lower impact on the environment, are healthier for those who use the building, and are more profitable than conventional counterparts. Minnesota Maintains National Rank of Fourth in Wind Energy Capacity (2011) Minnesota added 396 megawatts of wind energy capacity in 2010, maintaining its position as fourth in the nation in installed capacity despite a severe downturn in the wind industry. The U.S. wind industry continued a boom-bust cycle driven by a lack of long-term, predictable federal policies and low natural gas prices, the American Wind Energy Association said. Minnesota was among the top states adding wind power, trailing only Texas, Illinois and California and tying with South Dakota. Minnesota closed 2010 with 2,192 megawatts of installed capacity. U of M Earns Straight A's on Sustainability (2010) The University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus received straight A’s on the 2010 College Sustainability Report Card. It was one of only three schools in the nation to receive top marks across the board. Grades were based on 52 sustainability indicators in nine categories: administration, climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building, transportation, student involvement, endowment transparency, investment priorities and shareholder engagement. The College Sustainability Report Card surveyed 322 schools this year. It is issued by the Sustainable Endowments Institute, a Cambridge, Mass.-based nonprofit organization. Minnesota Ranks 8th on National Energy-Efficient Scorecard (2010) For the second year in a row, Minnesota is the eighth most energy efficient state in the country – tied with Connecticut – according to the 2010 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard published by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The scorecard examines six state energy efficiency policy areas: utility and public benefits programs and policies, transportation policies, building energy codes, combined heat and power, state government initiatives, and appliance efficiency standards. In the first category, Minnesota scored a 15 out of a possible 20 points – thanks to its energy efficient resource standards and electricity program budgets. The ACEEE called heralded Minnesota’s commitment to sustainable buildings, noting that it is “providing leadership, setting high performance standards, and putting forward an integrated framework of programs for designing, managing, and improving building performance.” Minneapolis Named Sixth Most Eco-Friendly City (2010) Minneapolis is one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world, according to global consulting firm Mercer. The Mercer 2010 Quality of Living survey placed Minneapolis sixth among 221 international cities in its new eco-city category. Minneapolis is one of only two U.S. cities to rank among the top 10. The eco-city category takes into account such factors as water availability, water potability (how fit it is for drinking), waste removal, sewage, air pollution, and traffic congestion. The Quality of Living survey is used by governments and multinational companies as a gauge for compensating employees when placing them on international assignments. It takes into account political, social, and socio-cultural conditions; health; education; and public services. Twin Cities MSA Ranks 11th in “Green Cities” Research (2010) The Twin Cities Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes part of western Wisconsin, ranked 11th in Cincinnati Business First’s 2010 green cities research project. Twin Cities did well in its air quality index (ranking fourth) and its use of public transportation (12th). It competed with 43 metro regions where Business First’s parent company, American City Business Journals, does business. The project considered 20 environmental and green categories – including transportation, air and water quality; carbon emissions; and the number of LEED-certified projects. Minneapolis Named Among Top 10 Earth-Friendly Cities by RelocateAmerica (2010) In an environmental scan of 100 major American cities, Minneapolis was ranked among the top 10 earth-friendly cities by RelocateAmerica. The recognition came as part of RelocateAmerica’s 13th annual “Top 100 Places to Live” survey, which also ranked Minneapolis in the top 10. Minnesota Posts Third Highest Clean Energy Jobs in Nation (2009) Minnesota has a “large and growing” clean energy economy, according to a report the Pew Charitable Trusts. The state increased the number of clean energy jobs by 11.9% between 1998 and 2007 – giving it the third-highest number of clean energy jobs in the nation. It also boasts the second-highest number of environmentally-friendly production jobs in the U.S. The report credits Minnesota’s financial incentives and public policy initiatives for jump-starting its clean energy industry. Findings are based on five categories: clean energy, energy efficiency, environmentally-friendly production, conservation and pollution mitigation, and training and support. Xcel Energy Named Leading Wind-Powered Provider for Fourth Consecutive Year (2009) For the fourth consecutive year, Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy Inc. was named the leading investor-owned utility wind-power provider by the American Wind Energy Association. It has about 3,000 megawatts of capacity online. As a state, Minnesota gets more than 7% of its electricity needs from wind – the most in the nation. It ranks fourth in wind-power capacity installed, with 1,754 megawatts. SustainLane Names Minneapolis Seventh in its US City “Green Ranking” (2009) Minneapolis swept up seventh place in SustainLane’s green ranking of America’s most populous cities. The 2008 US City Ranking report card benchmarks 16 areas of urban sustainability, including a critical new area: water supply. “The peer-reviewed Ranking tracks the unfolding story of cities working to improve their residents’ quality of life.” It quotes hybrid-driving Mayor R.T. Rybak for leading the charge, calling Minneapolis “one of the most bike-friendly cities in the county.” Minnesota Named Seventh Greenest State in America by Business Facilities (2008) Minnesota took seventh place in Business Facilities’ “Top 20 Greenest State” competition. “As one of the most sought-after accolades awarded each year,” the coveted green stamp reflects the growing importance of environmental considerations in site selection, according to the Rankings Report.
Transportation & Infrastructure MSP International Airport Among Most Fiscally Efficient in North America (2011) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is the second-most fiscally efficient large airport in North America, according to a 2011 study by the Air Transport Research Society. The report found that the airlines' cost per boarding passenger at MSP is among the lowest for hub airports in North America." Researchers at the University of British Columbia think tank used 2009 data on airport fees, cost competitiveness, and management efficiency to reach its conclusions. MSP credits the revenues from 100-plus shops and restaurants and the relatively small workforce of its operator, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, for the exemplary ratings. Twin Cities Ranks 5th for Pedestrian Safety (2011) The Twin Cities is one of the safest cities in America for pedestrians. It was named fifth safest in a new report by Transportation for America which ranks America’s most dangerous cities for walkers. The report considered car-pedestrian fatalities from 2000 to 2009, as well as population density and the percentage of people who walk to work. It found that downtown Minneapolis and Downtown Saint Paul are especially safe for pedestrians. Pew Center Study Calls Minnesota a “Smart Transportation Planner” (2011) Minnesota is a national leader when it comes to tracking data used to make intelligent transportation policy and spending decisions, according to a 2011 report by the Pew Center on the States and the Rockefeller Foundation. The report examined six performance measures: safety, jobs and commerce, mobility, access, environmental stewardship, and infrastructure preservation. It found significant disparities among how states set goals for transportation spending. Minnesota – which spent about $3.19 billion on transportation in 2010 – is a leader in how it measures return on that investment, the report says. The state also received high marks in “access” due to performance measures on public transit services. The Pew Center report examined states based on more than 800 performance, planning, and budget documents. It placed states in one of three categories: leading, mixed results, or trailing behind. Minnesota was one of 13 leading states overall and one of the top five for how it tracks progress made within its transportation system. Minneapolis a National Leader in Bike Commuting (2011) When it comes to two-wheel commuting, Minneapolis is a national leader, according to a 2011 analysis by the University of Oregon. Minneapolis places second for the number of bicycle commuters, trailing its perennial rival, Portland, Oregon. In terms of bicycle-friendliness, Minneapolis earned a "silver” in the study. Environmental studies Master’s student Kory Northrop used public data, ArcMap, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to visually represent the biking data in the form of a GIS map. Twin Cites Named 5th Best Nationally for Public Transportation by U.S. News and World Report (2011) When U.S. News and World Report published its 2011 list of the ten best cities in the country for public transportation, Minneapolis/Saint Paul emerged in fifth place. The magazine credited the Twin Cities with offering fare-free transit routes in its downtown areas, and with opening new commuter rail systems to connect outlying communities to its central business districts. “The Twin Cities are working hard to improve transit options for their residents,” the editors said, citing a light rail line connecting the two downtown areas that’s under construction. Like the other on-the-move cities to make the cut, the Twin Cities demonstrated “the best combination of public transportation investment, ridership and safety.” Total public transit ridership jumped 2.3% in 2010. Editors used data from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) to compile the list. Twin Cities Earns Top Federal Grant for Sustainable Transit Development (2010) Minneapolis/Saint Paul tied with Salt Lake City as 2010 recipients of the top federal grant for sustainable transit development. The $5 million grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will involve local Metro MSP communities in planning transit-related development along five planned and existing routes:
Communities will consider economic and workforce initiatives, alternative energy systems, energy efficiencies in housing, and green infrastructure in their planning efforts. In announcing the grant, HUD cited Minneapolis/Saint Paul as an example of a region that works cooperatively on both transit and transit-related development. Sun Country Makes Travel+Leisure List of Best Domestic Airlines (2010) For the fifth consecutive year, Travel+Leisure named Sun County Airlines one of the best domestic carriers in the United States. Mendota Heights-based Sun Country placed sixth on the magazine’s 2010 list. Rankings are based on reader surveys covering on a wide variety of satisfaction indicators. Twin Cities Among Fastest Commuting Markets in Nation (2010) Metro Twin Cities commuters spend just over 24 minutes getting to work – making the market one of the fastest among large U.S. cities. Minneapolis/Saint Paul ranks 16th nationally among the nation’s 52 markets with populations above 1 million. It is the only top-20 metro on the list with a population of more than 3 million, making the ranking more impressive. Its average commuting times are within four minutes of the fastest market (Rochester, NY). The rankings are based on a new analysis of U.S. Census Bureau figures, published by Buffalo Business First. MSP International Airport Ranks Second in Passenger Satisfaction (2010) Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) tied for second place with Denver among North America’s 19 large airports in a passenger satisfaction study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. The MSP satisfaction ranking represents a dramatic improvement since the study was last published in 2008. MSP ranked “among the best” – the highest possible rating – for overall satisfaction, airport accessibility, and check-in procedures. It ranked “better than most” – the second highest possible rating – in security check, terminals, food and retail services, and baggage claim. The 2010 North America Airport Satisfaction Study is based on responses from more than 12,100 passengers who took a round-trip flight in 2009. MSP International Airport Earns High Marks from Travelers (2009) Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport ranks third in the world among airports its size when it comes to “passengers’ airport experience,” according to a 2009 survey by the Airports Council International. The annual Air Service Quality survey ranks facilities based on travelers’ responses to questions ranging from signage to friendly employees. MSP competed against 16 other airports in its size category (24 to 40 million passengers annually) to earn the award. MSPhandled more than 34 million passengers in 2008. Seoul Incheon Airport in South Korea ranked first in the survey. Singapore airport ranked second. MSP International Airport Ranks Seventh in Healthy Food Offerings (2008) Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport dishes up some of the healthiest food in the country, according to a 2008 study by the Physicians Committee on Responsible Medicine. Nutritionists compared menus at America’s 15th busiest airports, giving points for low-fat, cholesterol-free, vegetarian dishes. MSP’s healthy ranking adds credence to the Metro MSP region’s reputation for outstanding health and fitness. MSP International Airport Named 26th Busiest in the World (2008) Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport was named the 26th busiest in the world by the Geneva-based Airports Council International. With 32.2 million passengers in 2007, MSP ranked just behind London’s Gatwick Airport and just ahead of Dubai International Airport.
Minneapolis and Saint Paul Get High Grades for Active Lifestyles from Men’s Health (2011) Minneapolis and Saint Paul each earned A- grades in Men's Health magazine’s 2011 ranking of the most active cities in the country. Minneapolis was ranked No. 10 for most active. Saint Paul was close on its heels at No. 13. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Leads Country in Health and Fitness (2011) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro region leads the country in health and fitness, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Greater MSP earned top marks in its American Fitness Index, which measures health indicators related to smoking, obesity and exercise, and fitness markers such as access to parks, walking paths and farmers’ markets. "It takes a healthy community to produce a healthy population, and Minneapolis-St. Paul is a beautiful place to live if you're interested in a physically active lifestyle," says Barbara Ainsworth of the ACSM. City of Minneapolis Recognized as Bicycle-friendly Business at National Bike Summit (2011) The City of Minneapolis was recognized as a top “bike-friendly business” by the League of American Bicyclists at a National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C. The City was one of six employers – and the lone government body – to receive the 2011 Gold Award for creating a green, bike-friendly work atmosphere. Among other activities that encourage biking, Minneapolis offers classes on everything from navigating busy downtown streets to bike care. It also subsidize the cost of employee membership in the Nice Ride Minnesota bike-sharing program. Four Minnesota Hospitals Named Among Nation’s Best (2011) Four Minnesota hospital were named among the best hospitals in the nation in the 2011 Thomson Reuters study. Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester made the list of the "100 Top Hospitals." The honor was based on 10 performance areas, including mortality, medical complications, patient safety, expenses and profitability. Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park was spotlighted as one of the best 20 teaching hospitals. Fairview Health Services in Minneapolis and the Mayo Foundation ranked among the country’s top 10 health systems. Thomson Reuters has been conducting the study since 1993. Its researchers evaluated 2,914 short-term, acute-care, non-federal hospitals, using public information. Twin Cities No. 1 for Hospital Safety (2011) A study of preventable medical mistakes found that the Minneapolis/Saint Paul region has the safest hospitals in the nation. HealthGrades, a provider of physician and hospital information, gave top grades to 12 Twin Cities hospitals in 2011, including Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis, Fairview Ridges in Burnsville; and Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater. Minnesotans Among the Most Active Americans, Study Says (2011) Minnesotans are among the most physically active Americans during their leisure time, according to a 2011 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study used U.S. Census and other survey data to determine the prevalence of diabetes and selected risk factors for that disease, such as a lack of exercise. According to the survey, a quarter of adults in the U.S. are inactive. In contrast, only 20% of adult Minnesotans are physically inactive. The percentage drops to about 15% in Metro MSP’s Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Metro MSP Ranks 4th Nationally for Quality Hospitals, Says HealthGrades Survey (2011) Minneapolis/Saint Paul is the fourth best market in the country for quality hospital care, according to a 2011 HealthGrades survey. The survey used data from 40 million Medicare patient discharges (from 2007 to 2009) to calculate the percentage of hospitals in each city that performed in the top 5% nationally. Nine Metro MSP hospitals counted toward the fourth-place ranking: Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville, Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in Minneapolis, Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, North Memorial in Robbinsdale, St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, United Hospital in Saint Paul and Regions Hospital in Saint Paul. Minnesota Recognized as Sixth-Healthiest State in United Health Foundation Study (2010) Minnesota placed sixth for the second consecutive year in the annual health ranking study conducted by the United Health Foundation. “America’s Health Rankings” assesses the nation’s health on a state-by-state basis, using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Medical Association, U.S. Department of Education, and the Census Bureau. Minnesota scored well for its low rates of occupational fatalities, uninsured population, premature deaths, deaths from cardiovascular disease, and sick days. It is routinely recognized as one of the healthiest states in the U.S. Forbes Says Minneapolis/Saint Paul Is America’s Most Relaxed Metro (2010) Minneapolis/Saint Paul is the best place for chillin’ in the country, says an online report by Forbes. The Twin Cities ranks No. 1 among the 40 biggest metro areas in the country when it comes to being relaxed. Forbes based its finding on a variety of stress factors, including length of commutes, unemployment rates (The Twin Cities are well below the national average), average amount of time spent at work, frequency of exercise (The Cities are the best in the nation), access to health care, and overall health. Two Minnesota Hospitals Among Best in U.S. for Heart Care (2010) Two Minnesota hospitals – Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park and Saint Mary's Hospital in Rochester – are among the best in the U.S. for inpatient heart care, according to Thomson Reuters 12th annual study. This marks the first time the study has singled out 50 hospitals for superior heart care. It compared the performance of 1,022 hospitals by analyzing outcomes for patients with heart failure, heart attacks, coronary bypass surgery and interventions. The study found that the hospitals on the short list have significantly better risk-adjusted survival rates, less complications, fewer re-admittances, shorter hospital visits, and lower costs. Minneapolis Named No. 1 Bike-Friendly City in America by Bicycling Magazine (2010) Minneapolis is America’s best bike city, according to Bicycling magazine’s 2010 list of “Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities.” The annual list recognizes cities with populations of 100,000 or more that have shown “real innovation, as well as local government support, and a vibrant bike culture.” Minneapolis moved into the number one slot after being named runner-up for most improved city in 2008. The magazine cites an “active biking culture and enthusiasm for the sport” as the main reasons for the top ranking. Minneapolis doubled its percentage of bike commuters in just three years. “This proves that great things can happen in short periods of time, even in the largest metropolitan areas,” says Loren Mooney, editor of Bicycling, the largest cycling magazine in the world. Twin Cities Named Third Healthiest Metro in America (2010) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul region is the third healthiest metro area in the nation, according to a 2010 report by the American College of Sports Medicine. The organization used its American Fitness Index to compare the 50 largest metro areas on factors such as preventive health behaviors, chronic disease levels, healthcare access, and community resources that support physical activities. The Twin Cities’ earned high marks for its low percentage of unemployed and households below the poverty level, and its high percentage of physical activity. It also was recognized for having more dog parks, golf courses, playgrounds, ball parks, and tennis courts per capita than peer cities. Minnesota Defends Title as Healthiest State in America (2009) Minnesota defended its title as the nation's healthiest state in CQ Press’ 17th annual list of the 20th healthiest. The state earned top marks for having the highest percentage of adults who exercise and the third highest percentage who are covered by health insurance. It also posted the third-lowest infant mortality rate in the country. The list considers 21 factors, from obesity to cancer rates. CQ Press is a division of Congressional Quarterly Inc. Minnesota Takes Fifth in Overall Health (2009) Gallup, Healthways and America’s Health Insurance Plans ranked Minnesota fifth in the U.S. for the overall health of its people in 2009. In the case of emotional health, Minnesotans placed fourth nationally. The rankings were derived from the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. The index draws data from 1,000 surveys per day – measuring how Americans are faring physically, emotionally, socially and economically. More than 350,000 interviews have been conducted since January 2008. Men’s Fitness Names Minneapolis “Third Fittest City in America” (2009) Men's Fitness magazine has named Minneapolis the third fittest city in America in 2009. The recognition is based on an annual survey of the 50 most populated U.S. metros. Compared to the national average, Minneapolis residents earn major “fit points” for:
As a state, Minnesota helped tip the scales by:
Minneapolis/Saint Paul Named Third Best Metro to Grow Old In (2008) Forbes magazine named Minneapolis/Saint Paul the third-best metropolitan area in the country in which to grow old. Metro MSP ranked behind Columbus, OH and Dallas, TX in the 2008 best-of line-up. The findings were based a cost-of-living comparison among the nation’s 40 largest MSAs. Affordability of housing, inflation pressures and health services figured prominently in the analysis. So did the number of people over 65 who are currently employed – a statistic which reflects the tendency of people to work after retirement age. Minnesotans Have Healthiest Hearts in Nation, Says America Heart Association (2008) The American Heart Association recognized Minnesota in 2008 for having the lowest rate of coronary heart disease in the nation. In fact, the rate has decreased by almost half in the past decade. Minnesota’s healthy heart is attributed to major lifestyle changes in the areas of exercise, healthy eating, doctor visits, and smoking cessation. Twin Cities Region Ranks Low on National Stress Rankings, Reports BizJournals (2008) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul region ranks 40th in a 2008 comparison of 50 major U.S. cities. BizJournals attributes the region’s relatively low “stress index” to clean air, safe surroundings, low unemployment, short commutes, affordable mortgages and healthy lifestyles.
Five MSP Cities Make Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” List (2011) For the second consecutive year, five cities in Greater MSP made Money magazine’s “Top 100 Places to Live” list – but this year’s list includes an all-new group of local suburbs. The southwest Twin Cities suburb of Chanhassen ranked 10th on the list of small U.S. cities, defined as under 50,000 population. Arden Hills, Lino Lakes, Savage, and Shoreview also made the top 100 list. Chanhassen boasts good jobs, evening diversions, nature locations, and a state-of-the-art high school, according to Money, which compiled the list with CNN. The area around Chanhassen also has something to brag about: Carver County was recently ranked 19th on Money’s list of U.S. counties with the fastest job growth (32%) in the 2000s. In 2010, the southwest suburb of Eden Prairie beat out all other U.S. cities on Money’s list, ranking first place. It was accompanied by four other metro MSP cities – Plymouth, Woodbury, Eagan, and Apple Valley. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Named the Most Playful Metro in U.S. (2011) The Twin Cities area was named the most playful metro in the United States, largely due to the health and happiness of its residents. “America’s Most Playful Cities” rankings were based on a study by Sperling’s BestPlaces, an independent research firm based in Portland, Oregon. Sperling’s analyzed the 50 largest metro areas by population in categories such as recreation, playful activities, health and happiness, and not-so-relaxing facts of life. Sperling’s also considered results from an annual survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The final analysis revealed that MSP residents are more socially and emotionally satisfied with their lives than anywhere else in the United States, despite challenging economic times. The report ranked Minneapolis/Saint Paul first in health and happiness, and second in playful activities nationally. Minneapolis Ranked as One of Country's Most Walkable Cities (2011) According to walking advocacy site Walk Score, Minneapolis is one of the top ten most walkable cities in the country. It came in ninth, outpacing other large cities like Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego and Atlanta. The Walk Score site is often used by real estate agents and house hunters to determine the walkability of a specific neighborhood. Walkable neighborhoods have a positive impact on the environment, community involvement and personal health. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Leads Nation in Volunteerism (2011) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro area ranked first for volunteerism among large U.S. cities in 2010 for the fifth consecutive year, according to an annual report by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The organization’s annual “Volunteering in America” research pegged the Twin Cities’ volunteer rate at 37.1% – higher than any other major U.S. city. Volunteer rates for the state were slightly higher in 2010 at 37.5%, placing Minnesota third among all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Roughly 1.6 million Minnesotans collectively volunteered 189.8 million hours of service through or for a nonprofit or community organization that year. Nationally, the volunteer rate dipped slightly to 26.3 percent in 2010—although the number of volunteer hours remained steady. Generation X volunteers (born between 1965 and 1981) devoted more time in 2010 than ever before, collectively giving more than 2.3 billion hours. Twin Cities Commutes Are Relatively Short (2011) Twin Cities workers have a relatively short commute, compared to other large metro areas. That's the finding of a study of America's 200 largest metro areas done by The Business Journals’ On Numbers blog. The Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro finished 166th on the list, which included many small communities. About a quarter of Twin Cities residents have commutes of 15 minutes or less. Twelve percent have commutes of 45 minutes or more. Forbes Lists Lauderdale, MN Among Nation’s Top 25 Suburbs for Retirement (2011) The tiny burg of Lauderdale, Minnesota made Forbes 2011 list of the “25 Top Suburbs for Retirement,” thanks to its convenient location, affordable home prices, nearby hospitals and colleges, and low crime rate. Forbes compiled the national list using a variety of factors, including distance from the “big city”; average home price; cost of living and tax climate; location of hospitals and higher education institutions; crime rates; air quality; and proximity to mass transit. Lauderdale, which sits on less than half a square mile, boasts a population of just over 2,200. The north metro suburb is 10 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and will be located only two miles from a Central Corridor light-rail stop when construction is completed in 2014. In addition, the average home price in Lauderdale is below $200,000. Only three other Midwest suburbs made the Forbes list. Forbes Names Twin Cities a Top Town for Young Professionals (2011) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul region landed 10th on Forbes' short list of Best Cities for Young Professionals in 2011. The Midwest was well represented on the 15-city list, which included Des Moines, Madison and Omaha. In compiling the list, Forbes defined “young professions” as adults aged 24 to 34 who hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The magazine assessed cities on seven factors – including unemployment rates, projected growth, number of small businesses, median salaries, and cost of living. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Among Nation's Most Resilient Cities (2011) A 2011 Business Journal study of 361 metropolitan areas found that the Upper Midwest is tops when it comes to recovering from financial, natural or other disasters. Minneapolis/Saint Paul ranks third on the national list, topped only by Rochester, Minn. and Bismarck, N.D. The “Resilience Capacity Index” is based on criteria such as voter participation, home ownership, economic diversification and income levels. Travel + Leisure Magazine Readers Give Twin Cities High Marks for Cleanliness (2010) The readers of Travel + Leisure magazine have voted. Minneapolis/Saint Paul is the second cleanest city in the nation, according to a 2010 poll. Readers based their perceptions on number of quality-of-life factors, including the amount (or lack) of trash. Target Field Named “Sports Facility of the Year” (2011) Target Field was named “Sports Facility of the Year” by Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal at the publication's 2011 Sports Business Awards Ceremony in New York. Target Field, which opened in 2010, was designed by Kansas City-based sports architect Populous and built by Golden Valley-based Mortenson Construction. It was funded by Hennepin County and the Minnesota Twins organization, and is owned and operated by the Minnesota Ballpark Authority on behalf of the state of Minnesota. Minneapolis Ranks High for Credit Scores (2011) CNBC ranked Minneapolis No. 3 nationally on credit scores, placing it among an elite group of top 10 U.S. cities. The 2011 recognition was based on average credit ratings by Experian, one of the three major credit-reporting agencies. Minneapolis' average score of 785 topped the national average of 747, trailing first-place Green Bay by only one point. The ranking goes from 501 to 990. National Geographic Picks Minneapolis as Top Summer Destination (2011) Minneapolis is one of the world's best summer vacation spots for 2011, says National Geographic. “A pedestrian-and-pedal-friendly downtown and welcoming Midwestern vibe make it easy for first-time visitors to quickly feel at home in Minneapolis. The arrival of warm weather launches a full throttle celebration of arts, music, and cultural festivals, farmers markets (17), and fan-friendly Minnesota Twins baseball (played downtown at Target Field – ranked the top sports stadium in North America by ESPN The Magazine).” Minneapolis shares the top-ten limelight with Patagonia, Argentina and Cardiff, Wales. Minneapolis Saint Paul Hailed as Most Civically Engaged Metro in America (2011) A Tale of Two Cities: Civic Heath in Miami and Minneapolis-St. Paul hails the Twin Cities as the most civically engaged metro area in America. The 2011 report traced the factors of civic health – measured by volunteering, community engagement, voter turn-out, and one-on-one interactions with neighbors – in Minneapolis/Saint Paul and Miami. It found that the Twin Cities are well above the United States average, and Miami is well below. While the two metro areas differ demographically, those differences did not explain the disparities in their civic engagement. Researchers identified four differentiating factors that contribute to the culture of high civic empowerment in Metro MSP:
The report was produced by four collaborating partners: the National Conference on Citizenship, The Florida Joint Center for Citizenship, and the Center for Democracy and Citizenship at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. Assistance was provided by CIRCLE (The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement) at Tufts University. Metro MSP Among Top Markets for Remodeling (2011) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro is third in the nation for home remodeling activity, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Top 100 Markets list. The 2011 list draws on the Residential Remodeling Index, which compares remodeling activity in major markets against the industry’s high-water mark in the first quarter of 2007. No U.S. markets outperformed the Index, but Minneapolis/Saint Paul registered 93 on a scale of 100, making it one of the strongest remodeling marketing in the nation. The report credits the Twin Cities’ above-average job creation, high home ownership, high net migration growth, and median home age of 33 years for driving high remodeling activity. Twin Cities Is Nation's Most Retirement-ready Market, Survey Says (2010) The Twin Cities is the most "retirement-ready" metro in the U.S., according to a 30-market survey conducted by Minneapolis-based Ameriprise Financial Inc. The "New Retirement Mindscape 2010 City Pulse" index identifies where consumers are the most prepared for retirement. The Minneapolis/Saint Paul area finished significantly higher than the national average on nearly all factors related to retirement readiness. It ranked first in confidence, with nearly half of local respondents feeling "on-track" for retirement. It placed third in retirement preparation, with more than 80% having set aside money for retirement the highest saving rate in the nation. Twin Cities Rocks Among Nation’s Concert Capitals (2010) Minneapolis/Saint Paul made the top 10 list for rock concerts per capita, according to Songkick, an online source for concert and band information. The ranking is significant because it indicates a thriving night life – a “creative class” trait that makes it easier to attract and retain talent. Metro MSP boasts the country's seventh most-happening rock scene, Songkick reported. To create the list, it mined a database of over 1.8 million concerts held in 2010 – everything from alternative music to classic rock. As a bonus, the average price of a Twin Cities concert ticket was among the most reasonable at just under $12. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Named 8th Best City to Relocate to in America by Sperling’s (2010) Sperling’s BestPlaces.net named the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro one of “Best Cities to Relocate to in America,” placing it eighth nationally. Sperling’s considered dozens of factors – including cost of living, economic stability, and population health in compiling its 2010 list. The Metro MSP region was viewed as a progressive, green city where people are polite, there is low crime and residents enjoy high quality of life – measured in part by the number of colleges, arts and cultural institutions. Other factors that helped raise the Twin Cities’ appeal to newcomers are lower unemployment, a healthy job market, and its reputation as one of the nation’s most literate metropolitan areas. Minneapolis Named Fifth-Best Time-Saving City (2010) Minneapolis ranked fifth among American cities for offering “convenient, time-saving services to residents,” according to a 2010 study by Real Simple magazine. The editors rated 21 cities with a population of more than 200,000 across five categories: getting around, health and safety, information and technology, green time-savers, and lifestyle. Minneapolis took first place for farmers’ markets, and second for bike accessibility. It also earned points for its numerous community gardening space and high-performing wireless network. Minneapolis-Saint Paul Region Appeals to Young People (2010) The Twin Cities area is an attractive place for young people to establish themselves, according to a 2010 study by Portfolio.com/bizjournals. The region came in 18th among 67 large U.S. metropolitan areas in the study, which looked at population growth, employment growth, share of population between 18 and 34, and share of householders under 45 who have household incomes of $100,000 or more. Minneapolis Is a Top Safety City for Young Children (2010) Minneapolis is one of the safest American cities for young children, according to a study by Underwriters Laboratory, a nonprofit product-safety testing and certification organization. Its study examined the 50 largest cities in the United States based on high crime rates, air quality, child pedestrian accidents, injuries and drownings. The Illinois-based testing lab also looked at hospital access, emergency response times and regulations on smoking, home inspections, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, pool safety and bicycle helmets. It lauded Minneapolis for becoming "the leading combatant of the silent killer, carbon monoxide," and recognized state laws requiring carbon monoxide alarms in single-family homes. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Region Ranks 5th in “Creative Density” (2010) In a comparison of major U.S. markets for The Atlantic, creative-class guru Richard Florida ranked the density of artistic and cultural creatives among leading cities. He ranked The Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro area fifth overall, behind Los Angeles, New York, DC and San Francisco. He based his results on a measurement of the number of artistic and cultural creative workers per square kilometer. Not coincidentally, the Twin Cities ranks in the same place on Florida's list of creative "overperformers." They are cities with the highest density of artistic and cultural creatives compared to what would be expect, based on their population density. Minneapolis Takes Top Honors in National Credit Score Comparison (2010) Minneapolis consumers have better credit scores than consumers in any other major U.S. city. That’s the word from Experian, the information services company that publishes the annual “State of Credit” report. Minneapolis took top honors in 2010 with an average credit score of 787. The average Minneapolis consumer had just over two open cards and about $25,000 in debt, according to the survey. The report used the VantageScore method, meaning it rated customers on a scale of 501 to 990. Customers were rated based on their credit reports, including available balances, frequency of late payments, and how they pay off their charges. VantageScore are one factor used by businesses to determine how much credit to extend to people. Twin Cities Region Boasts Fastest Residential Internet Service in Nation (2010) The Twin Cities region has the fastest residential Internet in the nation, according to a comprehensive Internet speed survey conducted in 2010 by Ookla, a Montana- based Internet testing firm. Saint Paul tops Ookla’s list of speedy cities at 14.53 MBPS (download). Minneapolis is not far behind at 12.56. While a number of factors can effect Internet access speed for consumers, broadband technology has a huge impact. Ookla credits the Minneapolis/Saint Paul region with being “a nationwide leader in broadband technology.” Twin Cities Among Least-stressful Metros (2010) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul region is among the least-stressful metro areas in the nation, according to a 2010 stress ranking of the 50 largest metros by Portfolio.com. The Twin Cities ranked No. 48 out of 50 metros. Portfolio.com based its rankings on 10 factors that could be measured objectively: unemployment, change in income, the number of residents living below the poverty level, the amount of sunshine, the ozone level, robbery and murder rates, mortgage affordability, commute times, population, and the number of deaths from circulatory system-related diseases. Forbes Names Twin Cities Best Place for Working Mothers (2010) Minneapolis/Saint Paul topped Forbes magazine’s list of the Top 20 Cities for Working Mothers. In selecting the 2010 winners, the magazine factored in the cost of living, crime rates, unemployment rates, school systems and health care, among other criteria. The reason that Minneapolis/Saint Paul beat New York, which took the number one spot in 2009, was the list’s new emphasis on women’s earnings. The Twin Cities placed 11th this year in terms of women’s income. Its violent crime rate was the lowest of all major metro areas. And at 6.4%, its unemployment rate was the second lowest in the country. Target Field and Xcel Energy Center Top ESPN List of Stadium Experiences (2010) “For the number one stadium experience in North America, visit Minneapolis’ Target Field,” says the 8th annual Ultimate Sports Standings report published in ESPN: The Magazine. Target Field opened in 2010 as home to the Minnesota Twins major league baseball team. Third on ESPN’s list is Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, home of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. The report graded stadiums on the quality of the arena and game-day promotions, as well as the "friendliness" of the environment. It also ranked teams on stadium experience, ownership, coaching, fan relations, players and affordability. Five Metro MSP Communities Make Money’s List of “America’s Best Small Cities” (2010) Money magazine named five Metro MSP communities to its 2010 list of America’s 100 best small cities for families. That’s the highest concentration of “best places to live” of any metro region in the country. The southwest Twin Cities suburb of Eden Prairie took top national honors, beating out 745 other small cities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000. Also making the top 100 list were Plymouth (No. 11), Woodbury (13), Eagan (15) and Apple Valley (20). Money called Eden Prairie a "family-friendly" city with a "dynamite economy." Its unemployment rate of 5.1% – four points less than the rest of the countwon favry – or with reviewers. So did the city's 50,000 jobs and big-name employers, including C.H. Robinson, Starkey Laboratories and the Minnesota Vikings. The survey also recognized the municipality's strong financial position, proximity to outdoor amenities, high-performing schools, and low crime rates. Twin Cities Lead Nation in Volunteerism (2010) More than 900,000 urban and suburban Twin Citians volunteered an average of 44 hours a year in 2009, according to the annual Volunteering in America report by the Corporation for National and Community Service. That's the highest in the nation. The rest of the state isn't far behind. More than 1.5 million Minnesotans of all age groups volunteered in 2009, placing Minnesota third in the nation. Two factors push Minneapolis/Saint Paul to the top of the rankings each year, the report said. It enjoys a vibrant community spirit, and it has a strong nonprofit sector that is prepared to funnel volunteer energy. Metro MPS Region Shines in National Quality-of-Life Comparison (2010) The Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area ranks third in the U.S. for quality of life, according to a study of 67 major metro areas conducted by Portfolio.com. It study was based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006-2008 American Community Survey. It compared 20 factors that make a city a great place to live and work. “The highest scores went to the well-rounded markets with healthy economies, moderate costs of living, light traffic, impressive housing stocks and high-powered educational systems.” Minnesota Outpaces Most States in Driver Safety, Says Insurer Study (2010) Minnesota drivers are among the nation's safest, according to a 2010 survey by GMAC Insurance. Minnesotans scored an average of 81% on the National Drivers’ Test, placing the state fourth nationwide. The survey found that about 20% of licensed drivers – roughly 38 million Americans – would not pass a written drivers' exam if taken today. Twin Cities Boasts High Fun Factor Among U.S. Metros (2010) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul region came in 10th among 100 U.S. metro areas as a "Fun City." Portfolio.com/bizjournals based the 2010 fun factor report on U.S. Census Bureau's stats on availability of fun opportunities. The Twin Cities enjoyed a boost in the rankings because it came in ninth for gambling. It also ranked 10th for both high-impact sports facilities (ski resorts, fitness centers and recreational sports centers) and low-impact sports destinations (golf courses, country clubs, bowling centers and marinas). Minneapolis Makes RelocateAmerica's Top 10 Places to Live (2010) Minneapolis ranks among America’s top 10 cities to live in, according to RelocateAmerica’s 13th annual ranking of the "Top 100 Places to Live." The 2010 list focuses on “communities poised for recovery and future growth,” noting that “the recent economic downturn has had less effect in Minneapolis due to its diverse and stable economy.” RelocateAmerica calls Minneapolis “a vibrant, progressive city with a well educated populous, affordable housing, excellent schools, diverse neighborhoods, solid green initiatives, the nation’s best park and recreational system, and an outstanding quality of life.” It gives special mention to the city’s “thriving college and university scene” and “incredible cultural draws.” Minnesota Ties for Fourth Happiest State, Says Cambridge University Study (2009) New research by the University of Cambridge in England dubbed Minnesota one of the happiest states in America, tied for fourth with Colorado. Minnesota is the only Midwestern state to make the top ten list. The study’s conclusions are based on an analysis of data collected in 2008 from 350,000 individuals as part of Gallup’s Well-Being Index. The index measures six types of well-being, including emotional and physical health, healthy behaviors and job satisfaction. The study suggests that states with wealthier, better educated and more tolerant residents are also happier. The reason are two-fold. Wealthy states can provide infrastructure to help residents get their needs met; and states with a greater proportion of artists and gays tend to be places where residents can freely express themselves. Minnesota Named Eight Best State for Women’s Earnings by Forbes (2009) Minnesota is the eighth best state in the nation for women’s earnings, according to a 2009 report by Forbes.com. It is the only Midwest state to place in the top ten. Minnesota’s 829,000 working women earned an annual salary of $37,284, or $717 per week. The national weekly median pay for women was $638 – 20% lower than their male counterparts. While Minnesota’s women make much more than the national average, they still make only about 81% of their male colleagues, according to the Forbes study. The magazine based its rankings on July 2009 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Minnesota Ranked No. 1 in Civic Engagement by Center for Democracy and Citizenship (2009) Minnesota leads the nation in “civic engagement,” according to a 2009 report by the Center for Democracy and Citizenship at Augsburg College. Minnesota was one of only two states (the other was South Dakota) to post top 10 percentages in four critical measures of engagement: eligible voters casting ballots, residents 16+ volunteering, people working in their neighborhood to fix a problem, and people attending a public meeting about community affairs. Minneapolis Named “America’s Safest City” by Forbes (2009) Minneapolis tops Forbes’ list of America's safest cities, and not just for its low crime rate. In ranking the country’s 40 largest metropolitan statistical areas, the editors considered crime, workplace fatalities, traffic-related deaths, and natural disaster risk. The City of Lakes ranked in the top 10 of all four categories. Forbes also lists Minneapolis as one of America's “best places to live cheaply.” Minneapolis Viewed as a “Low Stress City” in Harris Poll (2009) Minneapolis is one of the least stressed cities in America, according to a 1,500-person survey conducted by Harris Interactive. Minneapolis’ stress index placed it 19th out of 25 comparison cities. The survey showed that even though Americans continue to strive for life balance, only about quarter achieve the goal. However, more than half believe that they will achieve life balance in the next five years. Financial stress and the poor economy are among the leading causes of stress. Children’s Health Names Saint Paul and Minneapolis Among Best Places to Raise Children in America (2009) Saint Paul ranked 12th and Minneapolis 18th on a list of the 100 best places to raise children, published in 2009 by Children’s Health magazine. The rankings were based on 29 quality-of-life variables covering employment, health, housing, safety, education and family life. The Metro MSP region routinely ranks high is quality of life comparisons. Family Circle Honors Minneapolis Suburb Among Top Ten “Best Towns for Families” in America (2009) Family Circle, the best-selling women’s magazine in America, named the Minneapolis first-ring suburb of Edina among its 2009 top ten picks for “Best Towns for Families.” Edina was the only Minnesota town on the list, beating out 1,700 other contenders across the country. It was singled out as the only top-ten town to earn a perfect 10 on the great schools rating. It also garnered high marks for its sense of community, affordable housing, good neighbors, and green space. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Places Third in “America’s Favorite Cities” Poll by Travel + Leisure (2009) Visitors to the Twin Cities see the region as smart, well-kept and friendly, according to the 2009 rankings from Travel + Leisure. The magazine's annual readers poll placed Minneapolis/St. Paul first among 30 U.S. cities in intelligence and cleanliness. The region also scored high in safety (2nd), public parks (3rd), theater (3rd), and friendliness (5th). Visitors applaud the MSP International Airport, giving it mostly firsts and thirds. Overall, Minneapolis/Saint Paul came out third in the poll, right behind New York and Chicago. Twin Cities Makes the Cut of America’s Top Sports Cities (2009) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul area is the nation’s 16th-best sports city, according to The Sporting News’ 2009 ranking. The publication scored 399 markets, placing the Twin Cities in the top 4% nationally. Forbes Named Metro MSP Region 3rd Best for Working Moms (2009) Minneapolis/Saint Paul has been named the third-best metro area for working mothers by ForbesWoman, a website operated by Forbes magazine. The site ranked the 50 largest U.S. cities based on income, child care, education and other stats. Minneapolis led the nation in two categories: health care and school quality. Minneapolis Named America’s “Happiest City for Families” by Sperling’s BestPlaces (2009) Minneapolis was all smiles when Oregon-based Sperling's BestPlaces named it America’s “happiest city for families.” The 2009 independent study compared the 50 largest metro area in the country on such crowd-pleasers as social activities, neighborhood get-togethers, recreational resources and spending on “fun activities.” Sperling's also gave Minneapolis a star on the refrigerator for its renowned park system, one of the best in the nation. The study was commissioned by McDonald’s in honor of the 30th anniversary of its Happy Meal. Minnesota Lead Nation in Voter Participation in 2008 Presidential Election (2009) Minnesota voters posted the highest participation rate in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released in July 2009. True to its reputation for active civic engagement, three-quarters of Minnesotan adults (18 and older) voted in the November election. The state’s turnout rate of 75% was the best in the nation. Only five other states and the District of Columbia came in above 70%. About 131 million people voted in last year’s presidential election, an increase of 5 million from 2004. Money Magazine Names Chanhassen the Nation’s Second-Best Small Town for Families (2009) The southwest Twin Cities town of Chanhassen snagged the number two spot in Money magazine’s annual “best places to live” list. The 2009 “best of” ranking focused on family-friendly small towns with populations between 8,500 and 50,000. Using data from Onboard Informatics, the editors compared thousands of U.S. towns on numerous economic and lifestyle factors. Chanhassen earned high points for low unemployment, falling property taxes, rising home prices and a perfect triple-A bond rating. Chaska, a neighboring community in Carver County, ranked 20th on the 2009 list. Lino Lakes in Anoka County came in 36th. In 2008, Money ranked small cities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000. The western Metro MSP suburb of Plymouth topped that list. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Tops List of Top Relocation Destinations(2009) For the 40 million people who move each year, where they chose to live is the single most important decision they’ll make, according to Richard Florida, author of The Rise of the Creative Class and Who’s Your City. His new book names the Minneapolis/Saint Paul region as one of the best relocation destinations in the county. The region ranks fifth highest for young singles, sixth for professionals in the job market, fifth for families with kids, and third for empty nesters. Overall, “there’s only one other region that’s a competitor with Minneapolis/Saint Paul – the San Francisco Bay area,” says Florida. Forbes Rates Twin Cities Among the “Best Values for the Dollar” (2008) The Minneapolis/Saint Paul region ranks eighth nationally in a Forbes survey of the top value metros in 2008. The survey considered factors such as housing affordability, inflation, potential job growth and gas prices. The Metro MSP region has the third best gas prices of the 40 largest metros in America. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Places 18th in Sporting News Roster of Best Sports Cities (2008) The Twin Cities wins points as a “sports hotbed” in the 2008 ranking of top sports cities. Sporting News considered 400 cities in North America on factors such as number of teams, won-lost records, playoff berths, bowl appearances, attendance, stadium quality, ticket prices and “marquee appeal” of athletes. The Twin Cities was recognized for Twins baseball, Vikings footfall and Wild hockey. General Mills Earns Working Mother’s Top Ranking for 13th Year (2008) For the 13th consecutive year, Golden Valley-based General Mills ranks among the top 100 employers in the country for working mothers, according to Working Mother magazine. It is the only Minnesota-based company to make the 2008 list. The magazine considers seven areas in compiling its annual ranking: workforce profile, compensation, child care, flexibility, time off and leaves, family-friendly programs and company culture. General Mills earns kudos for embracing nontraditional schedules, awarding paid time off for volunteering, and providing an on-site service center to save employees time. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Cracks Forbes Top 10 List of “Best Cities for Singles” (2008) For the first time since Forbes began publishing its “Best Cities for Singles” list eight years ago, Minneapolis and Saint Paul cracked the top 10. They tied with each other for third place and are the only Midwestern cities to make the 40-city cut. Forbes considered seven criteria, starting with the elusive “cool factor.” It also looked at the cost of living alone, culture, job growth, online dating, nightlife and the number of singles. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Leads Country in Rate of Volunteerism (2008) Minneapolis/Saint Paul secured the top spot among 50 major U.S. cities for the number of adults who volunteer, according to an annual report by the Corporation for National and Community Service. More than 39% of Twin Cities adults were engaged in volunteer service in 2007, compared to an average of 26% in other major cities – a 13% lead. This propensity to get involved wasn’t limited to the Metro MSP region. As a state, Minnesota ranked third in the country for volunteerism. Eight Metro MSP Communities Make Money Magazine’s List of America’s Best Small Cities (2008) The western Metro MSP suburb of Plymouth topped Money magazine’s 2008 list of the “100 Best Places to Live in America.” Seven other Metro MSP communities also made this year's coveted "small cities" list: Eagan (17th), Apple Valley (24th), Lakeville (26th), Eden Prairie (40th), Maple Grove (41st), Burnsville (43rd) and Blaine (93rd). The editors gave special emphasis to smaller cities (population 50,000-300,000) that offered thriving commerce and job growth. Minneapolis Named One of the Most Livable Cities in the World (2008) A high-end British magazine on international affairs and culture named Minneapolis the 19th most livable city in the world – one of only two American cities to make the Top 20 list. The other is Honolulu. Monocle awarded its top rankings to Copenhagen, Munich and Tokyo, putting Minneapolis in excellent company. In developing the best-in-class list, Monocle editors analyzed 50 cities. They considered numerous livability factors including the cultural footprint, business climate, global transport connections, communications, environmental initiatives, crime rates, architecture, and public services. Minneapolis Ranks Among Best Places in America to Get Rich (2008) Minneapolis is ranked the fourth best city in the nation in which to build personal wealth in the 2008 “Salary Value Index” by Salary.com. The survey compares the value of individual salaries, the cost of living and unemployment rates among the nation’s 69 largest cities. Minneapolis and Saint Paul Lead the Nation in Recreation Facilities (2008) When it comes to their concentration of ball fields, tennis courts and recreation centers, the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis rank at or near the top nationally. The two cities also rank highly in number of skateboard parks, park-related spending and municipal park employees. The recreation stats were published by the Trust for Public land, a national land conservation organization committed to ensuring livable communities. Minneapolis/Saint Paul Ranks Among Top 20 Markets for Young People by Bizjournals (2008) The Twin Cities is the only Midwest metro area to make Bizjournals 2008 list of the 20 best markets for young people. Bizjournals gave the highest marks to places with strong growth rates, moderate costs of living, and large pools of young, college-educated adults with jobs. The Twin Cities ranked 17th nationally. Minnesota Named “Fourth Most Livable State” in Morgan Quitno’s State Rankings (2008) In its 18th annual edition of State Rankings, Morgan Quitno named Minnesota among the four most livable states in the nation in 2008. Unlike other rankings, the award does not focus on any one criterion. Instead, it considers 44 quality-of-life factors covering a broad range of economic, education, health, public safety and environment issues. Minnesota has been in the top tier for several years. Three Metro MSP Cities Rank Among “100 Best Communities for Young People” (2008) Three of the nation's “100 Best Communities for Young People” are located in the Metro MSP region, according to America's Promise Alliance. Founded by Colin Powell and chaired by his wife Alma, the Alliance is the nation’s largest multi-sector collaborative dedicated to the well-being of children and youth. Leading the list of Twin Cities winners is St. Louis Park, which was one of 44 communities to earn the distinction for the third consecutive year. The east-metro cities of Saint Paul and Landfall made the 2008 list for the first time. They were singled out for going the extra mile to create places where young people could thrive.
For additional rankings on Metro MSP attractions and destinations, visit www.MoretoLife.com. Visit the Minnesota Real Estate Journal for the latest news on commercial real estate deals in Minnesota and the Minneapolis/Saint Paul region.
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