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The article looks at how the friends of park groups in the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota show their support for public land. According to the article the Friends of the Parks of St. Paul and Ramsey County has proven itself one of the most effective park-advocacy groups in the U.S. The article also discusses various neighborhood groups that focus on individual parks in Minneapolis, such as the Friends of Loring Park.

The article presents corporate profiles of companies, including HelpSystems Inc., Minnetronix Inc., and Imagine Print Solutions, that carry out mergers and acquisitions (M & A) in Minnesotta. It offers information on the reasons of the said companies for pursuing M& A and the benefits and opportunities they gained from it. Moreover, it also cites the founding of the said firms, its revenue and products and services offered.

The article offers information on the Hometown BioEnergy project's electric power plant in Le Sueur, Minnesota, which is managed by energy management firm Avant Energy Inc. Topics discussed include development of the plant by Avant for the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA), renewable energy requirements met if cities buy electricity from the plant, the plant using biodigester technology and anaerobic digestion through agricultural waste and several projects managed by Avant.

The article presents brief profile of President Paul Pieschel family background in running the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Springfield, Minnesota. It mentions that the long term commitment of family-held bank to the community is the hallmark that represents the third generation running the oldest bank of the town. It reflects that bank's leaders have been working with several consultants to develop the next generation of managers for the bank.

The article offers information that the land of Minnesota has been proven fertile for innovative agricultural purposes. It reflects that sustainable agriculture in the state provides long-term goals of environmental stewardship, quality life for farmers and economic profitability. It mentions several companies that are working on the concept of sustainability, and grows and markets organic vegetables and fruits including Featherstone Farm, Hoch Orchards & Gardens, and Garden Fresh Farms Inc.

The article offers information that hybrid models consisting of an emergency room and an urgent care center, which provide emergency care at cheaper prices, are gaining momentum in Minnesota. It mentions challenges faced by health care facilities that are not located on a hospital campus including staff members and other resources for handling patients.

The article discusses the conditions of medical device industry in Minnesota. A petition by Minnesota Medical Device Alliance (MMDA) for preventing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from changes related to the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Decline in the venture capital investment in startup companies related to medical devices is discussed. Also discussed is acquiring of new technology by large companies developed by the smaller firms.

The article discusses business opportunities for Minnesota-based business organizations in Canada in terms of international trade. It states that Canada is Minnesota's largest export market and is considered among best countries for business in the world. It elaborates on advantages of doing business in Canada and discusses government support for the same. It also shares fruitful experiences of several U.S.-based companies in Canada including S.J. Electro Systems Inc.

The article discusses the move of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) in Minnesota to launch a composting facility capable to process 400,000 cubic yard per year of source separated organics. The SMSC Organics Recycling Facility (ORF) launched on tribal land about 20 miles south of Minneapolis. It reveals that SMSC ran a small-scale yard trimmings composting facility for several years before opening the ORF.

The article discusses the aim of commercial real estate executives in Minnesota to recover from the economic downturn as housing prices have dropped to 10 percent in March 2011 from the same period the previous year. It notes that the affordability index has increased in outstate metro areas. It mentions that macroeconomic indicators that improve development activity have been focused on by stakeholders.

The article focuses on the efforts of Hennepin County, Minnesota in reducing the waste in the landfill by 50%. It states that Hennepin County is one of the leaders in local government in the U.S. to promote organics recycling to reduce landfill wastes. It indicates that the county has residential programs in eight suburbs that divert food waste and other organic materials for composting. INSETS: AIRPORT TESTS THE WATERS;MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOLS ADOPT DIVERSION.

The article focuses on the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) and its commitment to reduce the amount of solid waste going into landfills in Duluth, Minnesota. It states that WLSSD is a special purpose subdivision of the state and has the power to create ordinances. It adds that WLSSD opened a source separated organics (SSO) composting facility in 2001. It mentions the ordinance from WLSSD that aims to improve organics recovery and to keep food waste out of the landfill.

The article discusses various different projects within the state of Minnesota that are utilizing biomass power. The University of Minnesota campus in Morris (UM-Morris) intends to provide 80% of its heating and cooling needs via a biomass research and gasification facility made by KMW Systems. It will be funded by state and federal agencies and agricultural trade groups. In the city of Benson, the world's largest turkey litter-fueled power plant will generate and export approximately 55 megawatts/hour (MWH). This requires that it consume a large daily amount of biomass. Also discussed is Chippewa Valley Ethanol Co. INSET: MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE BIOMASS PLANT.

Reports on the application of compost for erosion control along the U.S. highway in Minnesota. Projects initiated using compost-based erosion control systems; Details on the analysis on the soil composition and recycled waste materials design to fully restore the vegetation over the whole project; Specifications set for composed-based solutions management.

Most discussion and debate about respective merits and drawbacks of various collection methods, schedules and tools have been based on opinion and anecdotal evidence. Eureka Recycling, a nonprofit based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, took an empirical approach to checking the system of collecting recyclable materials in residential neighborhoods, with a 14-month study to determine the best method for the city to increase recovery and improve efficiency. The study done with the city of Saint Paul through a grant from the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, compared five recycling collection methods, which varied by frequency, type of containers used, types of materials collected, and how materials were separated.

The programs for source separation and composting of the organic fraction in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota are described. The Minneapolis suburb of Wayzata piloted a citywide, curbside residential organics collection and composting program. Weekly collection of source separated organics was established. On the other hand, the city of Burnsville identified residential neighborhoods to test the design and implementation of commingled collection of organic materials from residences. Biodegradable bags were used to collect organics. During the 2002-2003 school year, the independent school district separated and collected organic material in its buildings.

The article discusses the ways giving back has benefitted the large and small corporations in Minnesota. Manager Sue Moyer of the Greater Twin Cities United Way Caring Connection has said that companies in the state have learned by examples from the successful volunteer programs of larger companies that benefit the employees and the community. It explores the charitable contibutions and voluntarism of giant company Wells Fargo & Co. and small company Kings Solutions.

The article focuses on the business success of CreekSide Soils, a composting facility in Hutchinson, Minnesota. The company is seen as a rare example of a self-supporting public service and one of the most successful composters and mulch producers in the Midwest. According to Doug Johnson, the company's general manager, one of the factors to its success is forming business relationships with other compost operators and dealers. CreekSide aims to expand its organics composting operations.

Discusses the imposition of a tax on city residents by the Minnesota City Council to fund a water quality improvement program. Acceptance of a monthly household fee by the property owners in Plymouth; Target on surface water management; Plan to improve water quality in the seven lakes that fall within the Minneapolis suburbs.

The article focuses on the boiler systems manufacturer Central Boiler's owned by Dennis Brazier and his wife Terri Brazier. It mentions the wood-burning heating systems produced at the manufacturing plant in Greenbush, Minnesota and adds that the facility now manufactures lawnmowers. Comments from Dennis are also included regarding the launch of their Altoz brand as an enterprise. Also it offers information on the Altoz firm.

The article focuses on how MNsure, the new state-run health insurance exchange, will affect small businesses in Minnesota. The initiative will task small businesses and individuals to seek health coverage online, either acquiring it from private insurers or taking part in publicly funded care. Small businesses are expected to see rate increases under MNsure on their 2014 renewal. Small businesses are also expected to avoid the exchange because of the added costs.

The article discusses the advantage to smaller companies in Minnesota which are located in proximity to Bakenn Formation oil fields in North Dakota. Role of various Minnesota companies in reducing the dependency of the U.S. on imported energy is mentioned. Opening of satelite office in North Dakota by firms Fredrikson & Byron P.A. and Barr Engineering is mentioned.

The article focuses on the medical-device innovations in Minnesota to churn out great ideas for medical devices. Two developments including opening of Versant Ventures Inc. and launching of Inceptis by bioscience entrepreneurs have encouraged several medical device industries. Versant Ventures has invested in companies including Respicardia and Zyga Technology. Inceptis has helped the entrepreneurs to negotiate the complicated path to commercial offerings.

The article offers information on Mel Towle, the general manager of Grand Casino Mille Lacs, Minnesota. It informs that the two casinos operate under a tribally chartered corporation of Mille Lacs Band, the American Indian tribe with its own board of directors and chief executive officer (CEO). It informs that gaming entrepreneur Lyle Berman have helped the Band access the industry expertise necessary to develop a successful casino and hospitality operation.

The article discusses how Tom Salonek, founder of Eagan, Minnesota-based Intertech consulting firm, succeeded as an entrepreneur. Salonek realized early that building a successful technology company is about much more than technology. Reasons for the company's success are discussed. Salonek advises to remember that people is the most important asset of any company. He also recommends the book "Decline and Fall of the American Programmer," by Ed Yourdon.

The article discusses the empowerment of women in commercial real estate through the fundraising event "Women Run the Cities" from the Minnesota Network of Commercial Real Estate Women (MNCREW). It notes that the inclusiveness of all disciplines in commercial real estate has been focused on by MNCREW president Barb Chirinos. It mentions that potential deals have increased in MNCREW through business networks.

The article reports on the launch of a biomass facility by Koda Energy LLC in Shakopee, Minnesota. It is stated that the facility, a partnership of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) and Rahr Malting Co., converts oat hulls, barley waste and wood to power a turbine generator. It notes that Xcel Energy Inc. buys two thirds of the electricity generated by the facility. It also mentions the use of a pneumatic system to convey the malting byproduct and its biodiesel production facility.

The article presents information on the Creekside soils of Hutchinson, Minnesota. Nearly $1.9 million in sales of compost and other soil products are projected for the current year, compared to about $1.4 million in 2004. From its origins as a pilot source-separated project in 1998, Creekside's 24-acre operation has grown into one of the most successful composters and mulch producers in the Midwest. Operations at the facility include yard trimmings and residential organics composting, wood grinding and coloring, bagging compost and soil mixes. About 85 percent of total households participate in the city of Hutchinson's source-separated collection program, using 480,000 biodegradable bags per year. Two local grocery stores and two large employers were included in organics collection as part of the initial pilot project, funded by a $100,000 grant from the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance. The amount of source-separated organic material collected and processed from Hutchinson's households and businesses has grown steadily from 1,500 tons in 2001 to 2,556 tons.

Reports the use of compost by the state highway department to reclaim wetlands, prevent erosion and water pollution in Minnesota. Ability of compost to improve soil properties; Need to use the right hydrology and herbicides; Consideration of uniform quality standards for compost.

The article discusses issue related short-term nature of economic incentives including production tax credit and federal investment tax credit on renewable energy companies in Minnesota.

The article presents information on the online marketing agency Spyder Trap, which earned revenue of 2 million dollars in 2011. It discusses various technologies adopted by the firm which includes search and analytics, social media, mobile marketing and developing custom applications. Chief executive officer of Spyder Mike Rynchek stresses the need for designing customized websites to be successful at mobile marketing.