Select 2026 Ramsey Business of the Year

The purpose of this case is to select the 2026 Ramsey Business of the Year, an annual selection made by the EDA. The nomination letter and benefits for the 2026 Business of the Year winner are attached.  The Ramsey Business of the Year is chosen from a list of 3-6 nominees (known as the "small list").  The purpose of the small list is to narrow down the voting / analysis process to a smaller pool of nominees for efficiency.  The "small list" of candidates is derived from a "large list."  Nominees are asked to answer a set of questions that demonstrate their exemplary standing in each of these four categories: 

• Length of tenure in the City of Ramsey
• Number of employees / job creation
• Community involvement
• Innovation and uniqueness 

Both the 'small' and 'large' lists are attached. 

None required

We have received responses from all five nominees, each with their own areas of excellence.  The City of Ramsey is fortunate to have many great nominees for 2026 Business of the Year.  The EDA should review the responses and select a 2026 Business of the Year.

The nominees that have completed questionnaires include (sorted alphabetically - years on the short list):
FabTech Plastics (1)
Global Glove (5)
Intech (3)
Martin Marietta (3) (Formerly Commercial Asphalt / Barton Sand and Gravel)
RM Golf Carts (3)

Staff believes that RM Golf Carts should be given some special consideration based on the fact it was resilient during the Highway 10 Construction project and ultimately purchased the RALF site from City ($550,000) it was leasing and completed facade and parking lot improvements ($100,000) in 2025. Staff believes this commitment to Ramsey and improving the image on Highway 10 without it being required should be recognized.  RM Golf is also a small family-owned business.  If RM Golf Carts is not selected as Business of the Year, Staff would be supportive of removal due to the length on both lists.  

This is the 5th year Global Glove has been on the Short List.  This company, with 84 employees in Ramsey, has steadily expanded in Ramsey with building acquisitions (Dahlheimer) and Investment at its facilities on Radium Street.  If they are not selected 2026 Business of the Year Staff would be supportive of removal from the Small List due to it being the 5th year on the short list.

This is the 3rd year on the Short List for Martin Marietta.  They were on the Long List, (starting as Commercial Asphalt) from 2016-2023.  The asphalt company plays a large role in the growth of Ramsey and was a key partner for the Hwy 10 Construction project.  The company has hinted about an expansion but, this has not occurred, If they are not selected 2026 Business of the Year, Staff would be supportive of removal from the Small List.

Staff is supportive of keeping InTech on the Small List for one more year if they are not selected 2026 Business of the Year, based on its longevity in the community, recent awards and continuous innovation here in Ramsey.  InTech employs 78 people.

Each business that has provided responses has its own merits and reasons that it should be selected as the 2026 Business of the Year.

The Current Large List is below, along with the year the business was added:

Large List
Comfort Suites of Ramsey (2016)
Delta ModTech (2024)
Jimmy John’s (2011)
Molin Concrete (2016)
Path Machining and Automation (2026)
Willy McCoy’s (2016)
Heartland Tire (2023)

Additional Suggestions for Adjustments to the Lists
Staff would like the EDA to consider adding Diamond Graphics to the Small List and Minnesota Waterjet and Wildlife Reseach Center to the Large List for 2027.  Diamond Graphics (opened in Ramsey 2007) completed a 68,000 Expansion in August of 2025 (See attached) which warrants consideration for Business of the Year.  Diamond Graphics was previously removed from Large List in 2020 based on no expansions or noteworthy accomplishments.  Minnesota Waterjet is a unique (Waterjet cutting), award-winning veteran-owned company that has been in its 21,000SF building in Sunfish Lake Business Park since 2006 (See attached). Wildlife Research Center is a business that built a 40,000 SF building in Sunfish Lake Business Park Ramsey in 2006. WRC employs 19 people and is working with the City on a potential expansion project to double the size of their operation.  Staff would like to add this business to the Large List.

Staff would also suggest moving Comfort Suites and Path Machining and Automation from the Large List to the Small List for 2027.  Comfort Suites based endured impacts from the Highway 10 construction project and has plans to remodel/refresh all rooms and installing new landscaping and parking lot in 2026.  Path Machining and Automation is another Ramsey Business that is continuously expanding in a multi-tenant building in Bunker Lake Business Park that staff is recommending being moved to the Small List.

Staff would recommend removing Jimmy John's, Molin Concrete, Willy McCoy's, Heartland Tire from the Large list. Staff is not aware of any recent investment or substantial business growth that would warrant these businesses to be moved up to the Small List. 

Staff has created a matrix showing when a business was added to the Large and Small Lists. Staff also has some proposed actions and comments as to why the action is being proposed.  Generally speaking, Staff is trying to reduce the number of businesses taken into consideration for the BOY so that the businesses that are placed on the lists can be recognized for their positive impacts in Ramsey more quickly.

Alternatives Include:

1. Select 2026 Business of the Year from one of the businesses on the short list
2. Something else

and/or based on discussion

1. Add Path Machining and Automation, Diamond Graphics, Comfort Suites to the Small List for consideration in 2027
2. Add Minnesota Waterjet and Wildlife Research to the Large List for consideration in 2027
3. Remove Jimmy John's, Heartland Tire, Global Glove, RM Golf Carts, Martin Marietta, Willy McCoys and Molin Concrete from the large or small list for future years
4. Something Else

Criteria for Lists
Staff would like the EDA to discuss how long businesses should stay on the Short and Large lists and possibly develop some new general criteria for Staff.  Ramsey is full of wonderful businesses that have done great things in our community.  Unfortunately, we can't have more than one winner in a single year and sometimes the achievements and investment that got them nominated originally, or moved to the short list, occurred many years in the past and they weren't selected.  Criteria could include setting the maximum years a business can remain on a specific list or, the number of businesses that can be put on the Large or Short Lists.  Staff is looking for some direction on this item.

This is a budgeted item for the EDA

Staff recommendation includes the following:
1. Add Path Machining and Automation, Diamond Graphics, Comfort Suites to the Small List for consideration in 2027
2. Add Minnesota Waterjet and Wildlife Research to the Large List for consideration in 2027
3. Remove Jimmy John's, Heartland Tire, Global Glove, RM Golf Carts, Martin Marietta, Willy McCoy's and Molin Concrete from the large or small list for future years

Motion to select ____________ as the 2026 Ramsey EDA Business of the Year.

and/or based on discussion

Motion to:

1. Add Path Machining and Automation, Diamond Graphics, Comfort Suites to the Small List for consideration in 2027
 and;
2. Add Minnesota Waterjet and Wildlife Research to the Large List for consideration in 2027
and;
3. Remove Jimmy John's, Heartland Tire, Global Glove, RM Golf Carts, Martin Marietta, Willy McCoys and Molin Concrete from the large or small list for future years
or
4. Something else