Highly-trained workers, excellent market access, higher education that partners with industry, and a diverse industry/technology base are business advantages rarely assembled in one location -- but you will find them in Greater Mankato.

Welcome to the business development section of the Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. website. These pages provide resources and information about moving or expanding a business to Greater Mankato, area assets and demographics, assistance for start-ups and small business, and updates on our organization's strategic initiatives and events.

The cities of Mankato and North Mankato are located along the Minnesota River in south central Minnesota, 75 miles southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Greater Mankato is a thriving regional center for industry, education, health care, services, and retail that serves a population of 1.6 million within a 60-mile radius.

It is easy to see why Greater Mankato is one of the best places to live and do business. Consider some of the community's recent rankings:

• America's Promise, 2008:  Now a three-time winner!  One of the top 100 communities in the nation for children and youth.
• AARP The Magazine, 2007: placed Greater Mankato on its "Cities to Watch" list. The cities chosen are ahead of the curve in providing services for empty nesters, active retirees, and everyone in between.
• Site Selection Magazine, 2006:   Number 10 in the nation in the Top Micropolitans category for new and expanded corporate facilities.
• Expansion Management's Education Quotient, 2006 & 2007:  Mankato Area Public Schools given a "Gold Medal" ranking, for districts in the top 17 percent nationally.
• Bizjournal.com, 2006:  16th in the nation in a survey of 577 cities nationwide, rated on multiple quality of life criteria.
• America's Promise, 2005 & 2006:  One of the top 100 communities in the nation for young people.
• Rolling Stone College Guide, 2005:  One of the top 50 college towns in the country because of its rich and diverse music scene.
• Site Selection Magazine, 2002, 2003, 2004:  One of the top 25 small cities nationwide for new and expanded corporate facility projects.