New brand unveiled and public launch celebrated today
Mankato, MINN (June 20, 2016) – Today during a press conference a new identity was unveiled for the locally known initiative previously known as Project Ag Business EpiCenter (ABE). The GreenSeam will build on existing ag business prominence and maximize a growing economic marketplace to become known asremier ag business epicenter in the United States – the most diverse, balanced and sustainable. In attendance were more than 500 people representing at least 300 businesses and organizations.
Greater Mankato Growth Inc. along with hundreds of businesses and professionals rooted in agriculture from across the region have been working since 2013 to strategically build on and connect the region’s extensive ag business assets in order to develop and position this region to now be known nationally and internationally as thee place for talent, business, innovation and education in relation to agriculture.
Agriculture is currently the largest business industry segment within this region with more than $15.3 billion in sales annually. Spanning an economic continuum from production, processing, manufacturing, professional services, research, technology, education, transportation and more; a majority of businesses in the region are either part of ag’s value stream or indirectly impacted. The region boasts an extensive list of ag business concentration and industry dominance amounting to nearly 1,000 ag related businesses.
The new name and brand are the result of approximately nine-months of work with the branding firm Capsule of Minneapolis, MN. The process included researching, surveying and collecting input from stakeholders, steering committee members and industry related professionals.
“Like other premier industry clusters in the United States, such as Silicon Valley or The Research Triangle, if you are a person or a business that finds value in being connected to the ag business industry then the GreenSeam is not only where you ought to be, but need to be” said Jonathan Zierdt, president & CEO of Greater Mankato Growth, Inc.
“I can’t emphasize enough the meaning of this initiative and this day. Having this cohesive force will no doubt accelerate the success of many businesses, but also translates into more jobs, innovation and development of a synergy that will define this region from now and into the future.” said Jim Marzolf, Chair of the GreenSeam Steering Committee and Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. Board member.
For more information, visit greenseam.org.
About GreenSeam
The GreenSeam is a grassroots initiative, created by countless businesses and professionals from southern Minnesota and northern Iowa and lead by Greater Mankato Growth. This initiative exists to build on existing ag business prominence maximizing a growing economic marketplace in order to be the premier ag business epicenter in the United States – the most diverse, balanced and sustainable. It is a place that is agriculturally relevant, responsive and diverse. Learn more at greanseam.org.
About Greater Mankato Growth
Greater Mankato Growth (GMG) is committed to advancing business for a stronger community. As the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization serving the regional marketplace, GMG advances business through: existing business support, new business growth, business promotion, talent development, public affairs, community marketing, visitor attraction and servicing and civic engagement. Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. also includes two LLCs: Visit Mankato, which focuses on visitor attraction and servicing, and the City Center Partnership, LLC, which focuses on development in the City Center.
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Contact:
Amy Linde, Director of Marketing & Communications
alinde@greatermankato.com, 507.382.3993
