Thursday, May 23, 2013
Remapping Debate compared the top 10 financial companies and the top 40 non-financial companies.
Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group (UHG) has the fourth-highest independent director compensation among 50 of the country’s biggest companies, according to Securities and Exchange Commission data analyzed by Remapping Debate. The publication looked at independent director pay at the top 10 financial companies by assets and the top 40 non-financial companies by assets, based on Forbes data. According to Remapping Debate: Independent directors are those directors who, aside from sitting on a company’s board of directors and getting paid for doing so, have no material interest in and hold no position at the company. UHG’s $601,000 maximum independent director pay was the fourth highest on the list—behind only Goldman Sachs Group, American …
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
The company aims to open Rocky Gap Casino Resort on Wednesday.
Minnetonka-based Lakes Entertainment Inc. is on the verge of opening Maryland’s fourth casino, the York Dispatch reported Tuesday. The company aims to open Rocky Gap Casino Resort, located 130 miles west of Baltimore, on Wednesday through its Evitts Resort LLC subsidiary. Opening is contingent on approval by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. The company acquired the property in August 2012 and announced plans for the casino expansion, according to the company’s website. The casino will have 558 slot machines and 10 table games. Click here to read the full story.
Edina’s Abdo, Eick & Meyers will merge with the seven-person Francis & Associates on Nov. 1 and operate under the Edina firm’s name.
An Edina-based company that’s the 17th largest accounting firm in the state plans to expand further by acquiring a Minnetonka firm, Twin Cities Business reported Tuesday. Edina’s Abdo, Eick & Meyers will merge with the seven-person Francis & Associates on Nov. 1 and operate under the Edina firm’s name. “This merger will allow us to leverage our combined experience and expertise to provide a wider range of services and outstanding customer service to our valued clients,” a statement quoted Abdo, Eick & Meyers Managing Partner Steve McDonald. “It will also broaden our presence in the Twin Cities metro area and allow us to better serve our rapidly growing business.” Click here to read the full Twin Cities Business story and click here to see …
The facility's outside attractions will open Saturday, June 15.
If you've been enjoying The Big Thrill Factory in Minnetonka since it opened March 1, the recreation center is about to become even more of a draw. The facility's outdoor attractions will open Saturday, June 15. The new features include 18 holes of mini golf, trampolines, climbing walls, a spider climb and a giant slide in 13,839 square feet of space. The Big Thrill Factory is a recreation center in the former Kmart building on Highway 7 and County Road 101 in Minnetonka. Activities at the center include bowling, Bump-N-Spin cars, laser tag, an arcade with prizes, a black light rope course and a "Fun Factory" playground designed for kids. In addition to the attractions, a café serving food and beverages is available anytime or for a …
Business spotlight: Family-owned Little Feet Childrens Shoes store in Ridge Square shopping plaza on Ridgedale Drive.
When the Fountains of Arbor Lakes shopping complex opened in Maple Grove, Little Feet Childrens Shoes was one of the first businesses to open in 2006. A year later, the owners Arlene Kielley and Carisa Fegers added a second location in Minnetonka. After seven years, the family-owned and operated business continues to provide a variety of products for children newborn to youth. “We are a business managed by women who are mothers with their own little feet at home,” Fegers said. “We are constantly reminded what fabulous, loyal customers that we have, who support and understand the importance of our small business.” The locally owned business is not part of a corporation or franchise – and its owners are regularly seen on the sales floor and…
Monday, May 20, 2013
The proposed sales tax for transit improvements did not make it into the final transportation bill.
The presidents of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber and Saint Paul Area Chamber on Sunday condemned the Legislature’s inability to approve a dedicated funding source to expand Twin Cities transit. Last month, the Minneapolis and Saint Paul chambers endorsed a metrowide sales tax of up to half a cent that would have funded transit improvements. Transit tax proposals presented during the session ranged from a quarter of a cent to three-quarters of a cent. However, a sales tax for transit did not make it in to the final version of the Omnibus Transportation Finance bill. The bill did include $37 million to keep the Southwest Light Rail Transit project moving forward. But Minneapolis chamber President Todd Klingel and Saint Paul chamber …
City staff and the planning commission agree that the medical center would bring change to the Highway 7/Highwood Drive area. However, they find the change reasonable.
Minnetonka's planning commission is recommending that the city council approve a North Memorial medical facility between Highwood Drive and Highway 7, but some of the residents in the area are less than thrilled by the idea. About 70 neighbors on Highwood Drive are against the development, according to Ivy Chang, a media contact for the group who lives in the neighborhood. According to Chang, the project is being approved although it appears to them that traffic on Highwood Drive was not even considered, the parking spaces are not in line with the square footage of the building, and lights and noise from the medical center will be heard 24-hours a day in the neighborhood. "The neighborhood realizes that the city wants developments in that …
This week's compilation includes a continuing search for Mandy Matula, officers shot in Minneapolis, thousands of speeding tickets and burglary suspect calls victim.
Editor’s Note: Every week we bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Eden Prairie, Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Maple Grove Burglary Suspects in Custody After Multi-City Pursuit Police are crediting a concerned neighbor for calling 911 as the burglary reportedly occurred Wednesday. Family, Friends and Strangers Search For Mandy Matula A large-scale public search for Matula began Saturday morning in Victoria and Waconia. "I just can't imagine the pain the family's going through, and I want to help," she said Laura Powers of Savage. SLP Woman Warns Police of Clown-Suit-Wearing…
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Lucid, Badger Hill and Bad Weather Brewing say the increase would hurt growing companies.
Lucid, Badger Hill and Bad Weather Brewing warn that an increase in the alcohol tax could slow plans for an expansion to the facility that the three breweries share, according to a Wednesday Star Tribune report. One budget proposal calls for hiking the alcohol tax from $4.60 per barrel to $27.75 per barrel, although a House proposal would only apply those taxes to breweries producing more than 50,000 barrels per year. The newspaper quoted Lucid Brewing co-owner Jon Messier as saying: This bill goes right after the guys that are growing, which is the dumbest thing in the world, in my opinion. … This bill tells me, ‘Don’t grow your business here,’ and I don’t know why you would do that to anyone. Click here to read the full story.
This week's selections include a new Taco Bell, more on the Buddhist monastery, another attempt at school levies and a healthier sport drink for young athletes.
Editor’s Note: Every week we bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Eden Prairie, Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Dibble Introduces MN Same-Sex Marriage at MN Senate: 'A Very Simple Bill' Southwest Minneapolis' state representative introduced his gay-marriage bill at the Minnesota Senate Monday. Kiffmeyer: MN Same-Sex Marriage Bill Betrays Vow that 'Nothing Would Change' Minnesota state Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, who represents St. Michael-Albertville, recalled promise that 'no' votes on constitutional amendment to ban marriage wouldn't lead to legalization. ZipRealty Lists Westonka …
Jonathan Dough
11:23 am on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
MKCL. There is an old saying "Follow the Money." Apparently your well-being and neighborhood can be bought and sold at the whim of a few well connected people. There is "free money" to be had. Unfortunately some of the "free money" is coming out of your back pocket. more ›