Alliance Benefit Group in Albert Lea was one of 15 companies given a Best Place to Work Award at the end of April by Workforce Development Inc.

Businesses with 75 or fewer employees receiving the award were I&S, IBI Data, Reliance Bank, Southeast Service Cooperative and Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency.

Mid-size employers with 76 to 300 employees receiving the award were AgStar Financial Services, Alliance Benefit Group, Cooperative Response Center, Gauthier Industries and Rochester Motor Cars.

The large employers, with more than 300 employees, were CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, McNeilus Truck Co., Pace Dairy Foods, Olmsted Medical Center and The Bergquist Co.

The purpose of the program was to recognize some of the best employers in the local area. Each company participating was required to complete a 40-question survey that analyzed their employment practices. 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.

Alliance Benefit Group has a lower-than-average turnover rate, along with a higher than average annual investment in employee training and development. They also focus on developing a strong work/life balance and having fun at work, according to a release.