Ecumen New Richland, along with Ecumen communities, has been named one of Minnesota’s Best Places to Work by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal for the eighth time.

Ecumen is one of 55 companies that received the honor out of about 200 companies that were vying for the award.

Ecumen was honored in the large company category. Rankings are based on employee surveys in a variety of categories such as work environment, teamwork, embracing innovation, people practices and personal growth and development.

“It is especially rewarding to be named a best workplace eight times,” Robin Dunbar, Ecumen’s vice president of human resources. “This is a tribute to the dedication of our employees and to the importance of our culture which is all about innovation, empowerment and honor.”

Ecumen New Richland employs 18 people locally, and Ecumen employs nearly 4,000 people primarily in Minnesota.

“We’re very fortunate at Ecumen New Richland to attract talented people in the community who want to work with us and make lives better,” said Kelly Hanson, housing manager. “Empowering our employees in turn empowers the people we serve. It’s a dynamic combination.