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Workforce Development Inc. on Thursday recognized the winners of the 2023 Best Places to Work in Southeast Minnesota, including a handful of businesses in Albert Lea.

In all, 15 companies representing the counties of Winona, Freeborn, Mower, Rice, Steele, Goodhue, Olmsted, Houston, Dodge, Fillmore and Wabasha counties were recognized as part of the 2023 Workforce Development Forum.

Recognized in the small employer category, with less than 50 employees, were the following:

• Arcadian Bank
• IBI Data
• Peterson, Kolker, Haedt & Benda, Ltd.
• Southeast Service Cooperative
• Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency

Recognized as mid-size employers with 50 to 150 employees were the following:

• Albert Lea Seed House
• Crown Cork and Seal
• Custom Alarm
• K&G Manufacturing
• Peoples Energy Cooperative

Recognized as large employers with over 150 employers  were the following:

• Benike Construction
• Gemini Inc.
• Mower County
• Olmsted County
• Zumbro Family Health Center

The “Best Places to Work” awards program was a commissioned study by Workforce Development Inc. The  purpose of the program was to recognize some of the best employers in the local area and provide information to companies about the practices they use to attract and retain employees.

Each company participating was  required to complete a 40-question survey that allowed their employment practices to be analyzed by the consulting  firm of Personnel Dynamics Consulting of Florida. Every company participating in the survey will receive a detailed  25-page report detailing the information on their company and the results of the survey. Those companies who are  being recognized receive a special award at the Best Places to Work Awards Banquet.

The data was measured on such parameters as: turnover, rate of growth, promotion rates, employee evaluations and  feedback, percentage of employee injured, diversity of management, benefits offered, training expenditures, paid  days off and increase in pay. The Workforce Development, Inc. and sponsors joined forces to bring “Best Places to  Work” program to Southeast Minnesota.