As job seekers look at career opportunities, they want to consider companies who have designed their organizations around retaining their top talent. Thanks to the Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Minnesota, job seekers now know who some of those companies are in the region.

Seven companies representing Freeborn, Mower, Rice, Steele, Goodhue, Olmsted, Houston, Dodge, Fillmore and Wabasha counties were recognized as the Best Places to Work in Southeast Minnesota.

In the “100 and Under” employee category, Alamco Wood Products, Inc. of Albert Lea, IBI Data of Brownsdale and LarsonAllen LLP of Austin, Owatonna and Albert Lea were recognized.

In the “Over 100” employee category, Hearth & Home Technologies of Lake City, Lou-Rich of Albert Lea, Riverland Community College, and The Bergquist Company of Cannon Falls were recognized.

This is the second year in a row that both Alamco Wood Products, Inc. and Riverland Community College have received this distinction.

The Best Places to Work awards program was a study commissioned by Workforce Development Inc. The purpose of the program was to recognize some of the best employers in the local area and provide vital 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 19-page report detailing the information on their company and the results of the survey. Those companies who are being recognized received a special award at the Best Places to Work Awards Banquet held at the Rochester International Event Center on Jan. 7.

Data was measured on such parameters as: turnover, growth, employee training and development and promotion rates; employee evaluations and feedback; percentage of employee injuries; diversity of management; benefits offered; average paid days off and increase in pay.

Workforce Development Inc., the Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Minnesota, is proud to bring the Best Places to Work program to southeast Minnesota.