Latest news with #WorkforceDevelopment
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cooperative Response Center one of the 'Best Places to Work'
Apr. 11—Workforce Development, Inc. (WDI), in partnership with the Workforce Development Boards of Southeast Minnesota and Winona, unveiled the "Best Places to Work" in Southeast Minnesota. Now in its 15th year, this regional initiative celebrates companies that go above and beyond in cultivating exceptional workplace cultures throughout Southeast Minnesota. After a thorough evaluation process led by national consulting firm Personnel Dynamics, fifteen standout companies earned the distinction of being among the Best Places to Work across our region's eleven counties — Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona. These businesses have made meaningful investments in their people, championed inclusive and engaging work environments, and continue to lead with innovation, purpose, and care. Among those that were honored was Mower County's Cooperative Response Center, Inc, based in Austin. The 2025 Best Places to Work winners are: Small Employer (under 50 employees —City of Byron —Arcadian Bank —Rushford State Bank —Southeast Service Cooperative —Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Mid-Size Employer (50-150 employees) —Cooperative Response Center, Inc. —Custom Alarm —New Age Tree Service —Pace International —People's Energy Cooperative Large Employer (Over 150 employees) —Benike Construction —City of Albert Lea —Gemini, Inc. —Olmsted County —Strongwell Winners of this designation receive more than just recognition — they earn the right to display the "Best Places to Work" logo in their marketing materials, receive a custom event banner to showcase at their workplace, and gain year-long bragging rights across their communities and industries. The award also signals to job seekers that these employers are committed to putting people first. The 2025 winners were celebrated at the annual Workforce Development Forum held April 3 at the Rochester International Event Center.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Workforce Development, Inc. to present Workforce Development Forum
Feb. 25—Workforce Development, Inc., CareerForce, and the Workforce Development Boards of Southeast Minnesota and Winona will be hosting the annual 2025 Workforce Development Forum on Thursday, April 3 at the Rochester International Event Center. This year's event will feature keynote speaker Krista Ryan, a Southeast Minnesota native, dynamic business coach, HR expert, and published author. Ryan's presentation will offer actionable strategies to navigate change, foster belonging, and inspire forward momentum for teams and leaders alike. Drawing on her local roots and national expertise, Krista travels the country delivering impactful talks on leadership, change, and collaboration. The event will be held between 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is $35 a person and $250 for a table. To register, visit: To register at The forum will also celebrate and recognize the 2025 Southeast Minnesota Best Places to Work survey winners and host an insightful employer panel, making this a can't-miss event for anyone invested in workforce development. Lunch will be served. Reserve your spot today.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New memory care unit opens in Elgin, fills a growing need
ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — A new memory support unit just opened in Central Texas. This comes as the Alzheimer's Association said the disease is a growing public health crisis across the state. The Elgin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center now has its new unit for those needing that specialized care. 'If we build it, they'll come because there's just no, there's no availability.' Seth Ferguson, Regional Director of Sales and Business Development Regional Director of Sales and Business Development Seth Ferguson said available beds in Central Texas can be hard to come by. 'The company that I work for, which is Wellsential Health, we in the Austin area have four other facilities with units, or what we call an Alzheimer's or locked unit, and they're completely full,' Ferguson said. With more people moving east towards Bastrop County, Ferguson said they decided to expand part of their building. He said they already have a dozen people on their waitlist to move in. He hopes to have them in there within the next month or so. Ferguson said they're looking forward to helping more families. 'We sell peace of mind, and that's what we want them to know,' Ferguson said. 'When they bring their loved one here, and we were able to care for them, that they know when they leave, that we're going to take care of their loved one.' With more available beds comes the need for more health care workers. Through the nonprofit health care training program, Dwyer Workforce Development, Ferguson said they train Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) at the center. He said they currently have 12 CNAs in their class. After getting their license, Ferguson said they'll get to work for the company. Combatting Alzheimer's is also top-of-mind for state officials. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick made it his fifth priority this legislative session. It involves creating the Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas. In a press release from last November, he wrote 'this investment will draw leading researchers and companies to Texas and require them to be based in Texas, leading to their further investment in our state.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
