Scott County Livability Magazine

VABILIT LI Y

LIVABILITY.COM/MN/SHAKOPEE

See you at TOP 10 MUST-DO ATTRACTIONS Including thrill rides, HomeReal estate affordability, variety lure newcomers apple orchards & more! WHAT’S BREWING NEW ENTERPRISES ADD TO LONG HISTORY OF BEER PRODUCTION

2016 | SPONSORED BY THE CITIES OF SCOTT COUNTY, MN

Prior Lake/Savage Shakopee 952.447.4700 952.445.6400 Scott County. Where individuals, families, and businesses thrive.

Where the city meets the country.

Where growing high-tech industries meet a small-town feel.

Where beautiful natural resources meet world-class entertainment venues.

Where a rich history meets a limitless future.

Isn’t it time for you to meet Scott County?

www.co.scott.mn.us Contents THINGS TO DO What’s Brewing 8 New enterprises add to long history of beer production Local Flavor 12 Sports & Recreation 13 Arts & Culture 14 LIVING See You at Home 16 Real estate affordability, variety lure newcomers Education & Schools 21 Health & Wellness 23 Community Profile 24 21 SCOTT COUNTY 5 AT A GLANCE BUSINESS 12 7 Overview 26 Forward Focused 28 Schools excel in STEM education Economic Profile 32

ON THE COVER Badger Hill Brewery in Shakopee Photo by Michael D. Tedesco

livability.com/mn/shakopee 3 2016 EDITION VOLUME 2 SCOTT COUNTY

Read Content Director | Lisa Battles Contributing Writers | Bonnie Burch, Teree Caruthers, Heather Donahoe, Lydia McMeekin, Phil Newman Staff Writer | Kevin Litwin LIVABILITY: Scott County Marketing Coordinator | Lauren Zimmerman Lead Designer | Susanna Haynes Art Director | Laura Gallagher Senior Graphic Designers | Samantha Frazier, anytime, anywhere! Heather Hauser, Susanna Haynes, Amy Hiemstra, Kris Sexton, Mark Townsend, Vikki Williams Graphic Designer | Lindsey Higgins Senior Photographers | Jeff Adkins, Michael Tedesco Staff Photographer | Frank Ordoñez Color Imaging Technician | Alison Hunter Photo Editor | Michael Betts Sales Manager | Jared Lane Integrated Media Manager | Derek Brady Ad Production/Sales Support Manager | Katie Middendorf Ad Production/ Sales Support Coordinator | Courtney Cook Ad Traffic Assistant | Patricia Moisan Web Designer II | Richard Stevens Software Engineer | Dylan Underwood

Livability: Scott County, MN is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the cities of Scott County and area businesses. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 IVAB L ILI TY or by email at [email protected].

LIVABILITY.COM/MN/SHAKOPEE For more information, contact: Scott County 200 Fourth Ave. W. • Shakopee, MN 55379 See you at

HomeReal estate affordability, variety lure newcomers TOP 10 Phone: (952) 445-7750 MUST-DO ATTRACTIONS Including thrill rides, apple orchards WHAT’S BREWING& more! NEW ENTERPRISES ADD TO LONG HISTORY OF BEER PRODUCTION www.co.scott.mn.us

2016 | SPONSORED BY THE CITIES OF SCOTT COUNTY, MN Visit Livability: Scott County, MN online at livability.com/mn/shakopee ©Copyright 2016 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Ste. 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member The Association of Magazine Media Member Custom Content Council livability.com/mn/shakopee Member Shakopee Chamber of Commerce

4 Scott County Charming small towns, progressive business practices, pristine natural areas and a AT A GLANCE booming economy make Scott County one of the best places Minneapolis to live in Minnesota. Located just south of the Twin Cities, Bloomington Scott County provides residents Shakopee a wide array of activities, affordable housing options Savage and employment opportunities. Prior Lake FOUR SEASONS OF FUN Jordan 169 Residents can look forward Elko New Belle Plaine to fun events every season, 13 Market SCOTT 35 Summer brings community concerts, festivals and trips 19 New Prague to Valleyfair, one of the largest 21 19 outdoor amusement parks in the Upper Midwest. Many residents also enjoy fishing, boating and LOCATION MINNESOTA swimming in the area’s lakes and rivers. Scott County is located in southern Minnesota, just southwest of downtown Minneapolis. It includes the In the fall, thousands of cities of Shakopee (the county seat), Belle Plaine, Scott County visitors flock to the county for Elko New Market, Jordan, New Prague, Prior Lake views of hillsides covered in and Savage. a wash of orange and yellow and trips to area apple orchards. Winter means opportunities to sled, ski, ice skate and ice fish. CLIMATE DISTANCES TO THREE Horse racing at Canterbury MAJOR CITIES NEARBY Park heralds the spring season Minneapolis, MN: 26 miles as wildflowers begin to color Sioux Falls, SD: 214 miles 31” the countryside. Fargo, ND: 247 miles Annual Rainfall National Average: 31” GROWING ECONOMY Well-known companies like POPULATION Shutterfly, Cambria and Mayo Clinic have put down roots in 195+ this growing community. Number of sunny 139,672 The quality of life offered in days annually Scott County continues to attract Scott County a variety of businesses and entrepreneurs who tap into the area’s highly educated workforce FOR MORE INFORMATION 5.5 and business-friendly towns. A growing population has Scott County million allowed small mom and pop shops to flourish. Local bakeries, 200 Fourth Ave. W. Minnesota restaurants and pubs find strong Shakopee, MN 55379 support from residents, who Phone: (952) 445-7750 TIME ZONE continue to see their dining and www.co.scott.mn.us Central entertainment options expand.

livability.com/mn/shakopee 5 SEE WIZARDS Return to 16th-century England at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee. Performances take place weekends from mid-August until the end of September, with more than 500 entertainers, 250 crafters and 100 food booths.

THINGS TO DO MUST-DO ATTRACTIONS, ACTIVITIES AND DINING

6 Scott County THINGS TO DO

ROCK ON Attend the annual Prior Lake Rotary Club’s Lakefront Music Fest, where two nights of music are presented each July at Lakefront Park. One night is devoted to country and the other to classic rock, with total attendance of about 20,000 spectators.

ROLL 7 OR 11 BACK IN THE DAY PICK A PECK BET THE PONIES Stay at the upscale Mystic See how people in the Lower Purchase great apples, Gallop over to Canterbury Park Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Minnesota River Valley lived strawberries and pumpkins Racetrack and Card Casino, Lake, and enjoy an indoor from 1840-1890 with a visit from August until December where live horse racing is held pool, hot tub, day spa, gym, to The Landing, a living at Sponsel’s Minnesota Thursdays through Sundays free Wi-Fi, championship history museum in Shakopee. Harvest Apple Orchard, from early May to Labor Day. golf course and 10 bars Explore the grounds using located off Highway 169. Also at Canterbury is a year- and restaurants. interpretive media, or tour Attractions include wagon round 24/7 Card Casino that highlighted buildings with rides, a corn maze and offers Texas Hold ’em, blackjack a costumed guide. bonfires. The Lodge Grill and more. offers light lunch fare.

SOAK IT IN RIDE MAD MOUSE CHILL OUT TRY BACON GUM Slide down a 300-foot water Experience 75 rides and Embrace winter’s cold Sample apples at Jim’s Apple slide at SandVenture Aquatic attractions at Valleyfair weather by cross-country Farm, home to Minnesota’s Park in Shakopee, which opens amusement park, whose slogan skiing at several locations Largest Candy Store. The store from early June through late is “Thrills Connect.” Eight roller in Scott County. Three of the includes more than 80 flavors August. The facility, staffed by coasters have names like most popular are Cleary Lake of licorice and a whole wall American Red Cross-certified Corkscrew, Mad Mouse and Regional Park, Minnesota devoted to bacon products, lifeguards, offers Learn to Swim Steel Venom, and the facility Valley State Recreational among them bacon chocolate classes throughout the summer. also has a water park, Soak City. Area and Murphy-Hanrehan bars and bacon gum. Park Reserve. Minnesota Renaissance Festival: Craig Madsen. The Landing: Derek J. Dickinson. The Landing: Derek Madsen. Craig Festival: Minnesota Renaissance

6 Scott County livability.com/mn/shakopee 7 THINGS TO DO What’s

BrewingNEW ENTERPRISES ADD TO LONG HISTORY OF BEER PRODUCTION

8 Scott County by Bonnie Burch one of PAST TO PRESENT these breweries, and none the world’s Early German and Bohemian of them survive today. largest settlers brought their beer But late last year, commercial malting crafting knowledge from the brewing returned to Scott County operations, Old World to their new homes when Badger Hill Brewery opened a growing in Minnesota. By the mid-1800s, a facility in Shakopee, where beers network of Scott County had breweries in such as its White IPA are brewed Whome brewers, a new micro- Belle Plaine, Jordan, New Prague and canned for shipment to bars, brewing facility and tasting and Shakopee at various times, restaurants and liquor stores. room (and another on the way according to Land of Amber Beer enthusiasts can also taste before the year’s end), Scott Waters: The History of Brewing the specialty beers in the on-site County is trending for lovers in Minnesota by Doug Hoverson. taproom or get their growlers filled. of hops and suds. Prohibition closed most of Founded in 2012, Badger Hill But for those who know their local history, beer production has long been a part of the county’s culture and economy. “In my opinion, one of the “BREWERS CALL MALT THE most influential, but less well- known stories is that of Rahr SOUL OF BEER. THE MALT Malting in Shakopee,” says local beer expert Tyrone Babione of New Prague. PROVIDES SUGARS TO Founded by German immigrant William Rahr in 1847, Rahr Malting FERMENT INTO ALCOHOL.” is still a family owned company. The malt production plant in Shakopee, now the company headquarters, supplies malt to breweries around the world. “Brewers call malt the soul of beer. It is the malt, primarily made from barley, which provides the sugars needed to ferment into alcohol. Without a supply of quality malt, brewing is not possible,” Babione says. In response to the booming nationwide craft beer market, Rahr formed a subsidiary, Brewers Supply Group, to provide Barley is poured in a container at Rahr ingredients to craft breweries, Malting in Shakopee, a family-owned wineries, distilleries and home- company founded in 1847. brew shops.

8 Scott County livability.com/mn/shakopee 9 SIP FROM THE SOURCE Badger Hill Brewery brews and cans a handful of different beers that are also available in its on-site taproom.

10 Scott County got its start as a partnership through an home-brewing clubs such as the New Bohemian alternative proprietorship agreement with Lucid Brewers, based in New Prague. One of the country’s Brewing in Minnetonka before moving to Valley largest home-brewing competitions happens every Industrial Boulevard. year during the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. COMING SOON Even though Badger Hill is the first new microbrewery in Scott County, it won’t be the only one for long: Roets Jordan Brewery Co. is working toward a late 2015 opening. Originally, the Roets family was renovating an old Jordan brewery facility for the operation. But disaster struck in June 2014 when a landslide smashed through the walls of the old building before the first keg was tapped. Since then, brewery owners have signed a lease to move the brewery and taproom to a former library building while the stability of the hillside behind the former site continues to be assessed. HOME SWEET HOMEBREWS Of course, plenty of Scott County beer enthusiasts create their own concoctions in garages, basements and barns using tips and recipes traded through Tap handles at the Badger Hill Brewery taproom

10 Scott County livability.com/mn/shakopee 11 THINGS TO DO WINE BAR Perfect for date night or a girls’ night out, Prairie Pond Vineyard and Winery in New Prague is a unique combination of bistro and winery, offering a sizable selection of wines LOCAL for tasting and pairing with small plates, sandwiches, salads and desserts. COMFORT FOOD With an orchard, farm, bakery and restaurant, One of theFlavor quickest, easiest and most enjoyable ways Emma Krumbee’s is the sort of place to which to get to know a city is find out where and what the people travel from far and wide for memorable locals love to eat. Here’s a sampling: farm-to-table meals. The Windmill Cafe in Savage is known for its hearty breakfast and lunch menu. EUROPEAN One of the area’s hidden gems, Perron’s Sul HANGOUT Lago in Prior Lake, is well-loved for its sausage With a robust selection of beers, Fishtale Bar linguine and Parmesan risotto. In fusing two and Grill in New Prague is the ideal place to enjoy a of Europe’s most popular cuisines, French and brew with friends, along with a handcrafted burger. Italian, Suzette’s Fine European Cuisine in For inspiring views of Prior Lake, Charlie’s on Prior Jordan delights diners with options such as is the place to go. In the summer, diners can sample pastry-wrapped escargot and beef tenderloin scoops of hand-dipped ice cream while watching with bordelaise sauce. the boats come in. SAFE BET With a cafe and bakery, three bars and four restaurants, including a buffet and steakhouse, Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake offers something to please every palate. SWEETS Prior Lake’s Edelweiss Bakery and Café is as famous for its special-occasion and wedding cakes as it is for its crusty loaves of walnut-studded bread. Patty’s Place in New Prague serves up cakes and coffee, as well as soups and sandwiches. Lau’s Czech Bakery is New Prague’s destination for fruit-filled kolaches and old-world charm. Shakopee Bakery offers an assortment of sweets, such as its signature apple fritter. BURGERS AND SANDWICHES A trip to Firehouse Grille in New Market isn’t complete without sampling the Fire Marshal Steak Sandwich or the spicy 4 Alarm Burger. MEXICAN For fresh, fast, authentic Mexican food, Taco Loco is a regional favorite. Hard- and soft-shell tacos, flautas, chimichangas and enchiladas are menu staples.

12 Scott County THINGS TO DO

Recreational amenities like parks, pools, gyms Sports and athletic programs help residents stay active throughout the year. Here’s a look at some of &RECREATION the most popular facilities and activities:

PARKS AND TRAILS STAYING FIT the Dakota Rice Scott The Three Rivers Park District Savage Sports Center helps League is a popular activity. oversees a collection of parks and Scott County residents stay Ice fishing and sledding trails across the Minnesota River fit no matter the weather. The are popular winter activities Valley, several in Scott County. climate-controlled facility offers in Scott County. Some prime Spring Lake Regional Park free indoor walking and jogging, spots for ice fishing are Cedar includes 3.5 miles of paved trails batting cages and golf nets. Lake, Cleary Lake and Murphy and an off-leash dog park. Cleary Athletic fields are available for Lake in Murphy-Hanrehan. Lake Regional Park features a rent by the hour. The center’s Sledding enthusiasts should try golf course, campground, picnic air-supported dome is inflated Hidden Valley Park, Lakefront area, cross-country ski trails and from November to April. Park, Sliding Hill Skate Park a swimming beach. Those looking Shakopee Community Center and Lions Park. for a more rustic park experience also provides residents with will enjoy Murphy-Hanrehan gyms, a walking track and fitness GOLF Park Reserve, which, except for equipment. Fitness classes are Scott County residents have trails, remains undeveloped and also offered, and the center houses access to a variety of golf courses offers stunning views of the the Shakopee Ice Arena, Enigma that provide a test to all skill forest. Cedar Lake Farm Regional Teen Center and the Shakopee levels. Among the most popular Park, also in Scott County, is Skate Park. courses are: Stonebrooke Golf another haven of natural beauty, Club, The Wilds Golf Club, Creeks perfect for picnicking, swimming GET ACTIVE Bend Golf Course, The Ridges at and shore fishing. Amateur baseball thrives in Sand Creek, The Meadows at Scott West Regional Trail Scott County, which has several Mystic Lake, Legends Golf Club, connects Cleary Lake Regional teams and facilities. The Mini Valley View Golf Club and Park and Spring Lake Regional Met is a popular ballpark, and Bearpath Golf & Country Club. Park and will connect several other parks when completed. Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail follows the former railroad tracks of the Great Northern Railway and Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway. The Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail also follows an old railroad route, from Hopkins through Chanhassen. The Minnesota Valley State Trail is another popular place to experience the area’s natural beauty. Two popular spots for snowmobilers are Murphy- Hanrehan Park Reserve and Minnesota Valley Savage Sports Center offers climate-controlled indoor State Recreation Area. activities along with outdoor athletic fields.

livability.com/mn/shakopee 13 THINGS TO DO

Arts destinations, museums and community events make cities unique, draw tourists and keep residents Arts& CULTURE entertained. Here's a snapshot: ART AND HISTORY CULTURE FOR KIDS Those hoping to learn more Scott County residents need about the history of the area will look no further than their local enjoy the Scott County Historical libraries for fun and educational Museum. In addition to exhibits activities for kids. The summer inside the museum, including reading program, Bookawocky, those dedicated to former U.S. encourages children to read by Secretary of Commerce and offering prizes and “badges” for Shakopee native Maurice Stans, reading and by hosting special Dan Patch Days in Savage each June there are also a few off-site events. A teen Bookawocky is features fun for kids and much more. exhibits. The museum offers offered as well. field trips and guided tours as Enigma Teen Center in well as Kids Kraft, a hands-on Shakopee is a Teen Advisory FESTIVALS crafts program for kids. Board-governed hangout for area There are several festivals in Art enthusiasts will love the kids in sixth through 12th grades. Scott County. Dan Patch Days Scott County Art Crawl, presented It is free for kids during dropoff in Savage takes place in June, by the Savage Arts Council. The times, though there is a small fee as does Fire Rescue Days in the crawl covers 20 miles, with stops for special events. Enigma offers city of Elko New Market. Dozinky in urban and rural parts of Scott live bands, disc jockeys, video Days, a Czech festival in New County. Participants can meet 25 games, movies, foosball, pool, Prague, and Heimatfest, a German local artists, tour art studios and pingpong, air hockey, pop-a-shot festival in Jordan, are held in purchase paintings, photography, and more for kids to enjoy. September. Lake Front Days in sculpture, glass art, pottery, Movies and video games are Prior Lake is in August, and BBQ jewelry and more. also available to check out. Days in Belle Plaine is in July. DALEKOARTS DRAMA DalekoArts (pronounced A scene from the New DELL-uh-koh) brings together Prague-based DalekoArts production of “Proof” professional artists to create ensemble-based live performances in and around New Prague. This not-for-profit group is committed to being a positive force for high-quality theatrical and arts education in underserved areas of Minnesota. .com Check out more fun things to do in Scott County at livability.com/mn/shakopee. Daleko Arts Production: Ben Thietje, Dan Patch Days: BLB Days: Thietje, Dan Patch Ben Arts Production: Daleko

14 Scott County SCHOOLS, HEALTH CARE AND NEIGHBORHOODS Living

ACTION PACKED Guests ride the Corkscrew at Valleyfair in Shakopee, the largest amusement park in the Upper Midwest.

livability.com/mn/shakopee 15 LIVING

Erik and Laura Doerr say they chose to live in Shakopee for its affordability and easy access to downtown Minneapolis and surrounding areas.

Staff Photos by MICHAEL D. TEDESCO SEE YOU at

REAL ESTATE AFFORDABILITY, HomeVARIETY LURE NEWCOMERS

by Kevin Litwin

reat Scott: Erik and “And if you work in Minneapolis, BUILT TO LAST Laura Doerr enjoy U.S. Highway 169 provides a Zach Skattum and his young living in Scott convenient access to the big city.” family also live in Scott County, County. The young Erik is a certified public where Skattum works as a professional couple accountant and Laura works Realtor for RE/MAX Advantage Gmoved to Shakopee in 2010 after at a private college, and both Plus in Shakopee. Scott County a concentrated search for houses are pleased that Shakopee is one of the fastest-growing throughout the metro area and is growing. counties in Minnesota, so the southern Minneapolis. “All my shopping is within a real estate market is strong “We wanted to get the most 1-mile radius, a new community for Skattum right now. value when purchasing a house center is being built, and three “The county has plenty of and lot, and in Shakopee you or four couples we graduated available land and is within can find a quarter-acre lot with have moved to Shakopee,” close proximity to Minneapolis, and not pay $100,000 Laura says. “We also joined so cities like Shakopee, Prior like you would in a ShakopeeConnect group Lake and Savage are indeed Minneapolis,” that offers great networking experiencing smart growth,” Erik says. opportunities.” he says. “There are affordable

livability.com/mn/shakopee 17 STAY INDULGENT.

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STAY YOU.™ Holiday Inn Express & Suites Shakopee 4550 12th Ave. E. • Shakopee, MN 55379 Stay You.™ is a registered trademark of Six Continents Hotels, Inc. ©2010 InterContinental Hotels Group. All Rights Reserved. 952-445-2244 • www.holidayinnexpress.com/shakopeemn Most hotels are independently owned and/or operated.

18 Scott County CITIES LIKE SHAKOPEE, PRIOR LAKE AND SAVAGE ARE INDEED EXPERIENCING SMART GROWTH…

townhouses, and some apartment “As for home sales in Belle West Bloomington as well as complexes are on the horizon, Plaine, Elko New Market, Jordan Minneapolis, we need to give largely due to Amazon and other and New Prague, they are those higher-end clients more large companies moving to holding steady and much better options where they would choose the region.” than a few years ago,” Skattum Scott County for their residential Skattum says the major says. “But I really think that if needs. Scott County is working growth city in Scott County more people are going to move toward that, with more contractors is Shakopee, where buyers can to Scott County from first-string developing land for bigger get a two- or three-bedroom suburbs like Eden Prairie and homes and mansions.” townhouse (1,500-1,700 square feet) for $175,000-$200,000. “Meanwhile, single-family Re/Max agent homes in Shakopee are running Zach Skattum about $225,000 and above, although there are good solid houses downtown going for slightly under $200,000,” he says. “In 2015, the average home sale price in Scott County was $240,000 compared to 2012 when the average was $180,000.”

RAISE THE ROOF For more upscale developments, Southbridge subdivision at U.S. Highway. 169 and County Road 21 has single-family homes priced from $300,000-$450,000. The area enjoys robust sales because of convenient amenities like The Home Depot, Wal- Mart and a future movie theater. Also experiencing good sales: Whispering Oaks development on the border of Prior Lake and Savage, where homes are typically $400,000 and above, and Glacier Estates on County Road 16 near Marshall Road, with homes in the $350,000-plus range.

18 Scott County livability.com/mn/shakopee 19

LIVING EDUCATION & Schools Strong schools inspire homeowners to spend locally, attract new residents, lure companies dependent on a skilled workforce, and in many cases, enhance a town's entertainment scene. Here's an overview:

K-12 OPPORTUNITIES Minnesota State University Mankato Children in elementary, middle and high school are zoned for one of six public-school systems Shakopee Public Schools sprinkled throughout the county. 9 They include Shakopee Public Jordan Public Schools Schools, Jordan Public Schools, 3 Belle Plaine Schools, New Prague Belle Plaine Schools Area Schools, Burnsville-Eagan- 4 Savage School District (BES) and New Prague Area Schools Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools. 5 Each district is committed to 51 Burnsville-Eagan-Savage helping students learn the critical SCHOOLS 15 Schools thinking skills necessary to solve problems that might not even in Scott County Prior Lake-Savage Area exist yet. BY DISTRICT 15 Schools For example, at the Fab Lab within Prior Lake High School, students are challenged to “dream independently; essentially, it Bloomington, Hennepin it, make it and share it.” Among is its own district. Slots are Technical College (campuses other activities, they can learn limited, so families must apply, in Brooklyn Park and Eden applied technical fabrication, and the enrollment process Prairie), Dunwoody College thanks to a 3D printer that creates includes a lottery. Aspen is of Technology and Augsburg physical objects directly from known for its Core Knowledge College in Minneapolis and digital data. In one case, replica curriculum, Spanish, Latin Crown College in St. Bonifacious. iPhone covers were programmed and individualized instruction, and printed in three dimensions, small class sizes and low GROWNUPS, TOO and students had the opportunity teacher-student ratios. Formal learning need not stop to win them for use on their at a certain age, of course. Adults own phones. ALL THINGS COLLEGIATE can get in on the fun through Higher education also community education programs CHARTERING ITS COURSE thrives around Scott County throughout the county. Most are In addition to traditional at technical schools and offered directly by the school public schools, Scott County also four-year colleges, including districts noted above, and include offers a charter option in Aspen Minnesota State University everything from cooking and Academy, a K-8 school in Savage. Mankato, Normandale Spanish to swimming and deer Aspen is publicly funded but run Community College in field-dressing.

livability.com/mn/shakopee 21 How does your city stack up?

Check out Shakopee, MN to compare it to other cities on: SCHOOLS & EDUCATION LEVELS

HEALTHCARE ACCESS, AFFORDABILITY & OUTCOMES MAJOR INDUSTRIES & JOBS RESTAURANTS & NIGHTLIFE ATTRACTIONS & SHOPPING PARKS & RECREATION ARTS & CULTURE REAL ESTATE & COST OF LIVING

Plus, an annual ranking of the top 100 Best Places to Live, monthly Top 10 lists and daily updates on emerging community development and lifestyle trends.

22 Scott County LIVING

Access to quality health care is a key component to HEALTH a truly livable community. Well-equipped medical facilities with highly trained staff ensure residents get the best possible treatment when they need it. &Wellness Here’s an overview: ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL better; the survival rate for and Minnesota. As part of MEDICAL CENTER patients with breast, lung the Mayo Clinic, a renowned Founded by a group of and colon cancer exceeds the caregiver for almost 150 years, Franciscan sisters in 1938, national average; and, if needed, the New Prague facility provides St. Francis has grown into patients can transfer quickly a range of health-care options, a comprehensive hospital to two of the top heart centers from primary to highly serving Scott, Carver and in Minnesota for cath lab specialized, for Scott western Dakota counties (heart attack) care, Abbott County residents. with a full menu of care Northwestern and Park Nicollet options, including its Ortho Heart and Vascular Center. SHAKOPEE VA CLINIC Neuro Sciences Center, St. Francis boasts one of only Also known as Shakopee Diagnostic Imaging Center, four computed tomography Community Based Outpatient Women’s Health and Breast (CT) scanners in Minnesota. Clinic, this recently opened Center, and Trauma Center. facility specializes in veterans’ Long regarded as one of the MAYO CLINIC HEALTH care. Its services include primary nation’s leading community SYSTEM IN NEW PRAGUE care, mental health, non-invasive hospitals, St. Francis approaches The New Prague facility is one radiology and lab services, the care it provides with a focus of 70 locations within the Mayo electrocardiograms (EKG), on healing body, mind and spirit. Clinic Health System network immunizations, pharmacy Among the distinctions it has of clinics, hospitals and other management, dietetics and achieved: 90 percent of patients health-care facilities. The system tele-health for certain specialty rate the medical center’s Family was launched in 1992 and now services. It is open from Birth Place as “very good” or covers Iowa, Georgia, Wisconsin 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

St. Francis Regional Medical Center serves Scott, Carver and western Dakota counties.

22 Scott County livability.com/mn/shakopee 23 COMMUNITY PROFILE REAL ESTATE $244,700 DEMOGRAPHICS TRANSPORTATION Median value, owner-occupied units WALKABILITY Walkscore: 20 (Shakopee) 46,214 Almost all errands Number of Homes require a car 26 Minutes $1,870 AGE Median selected monthly Mean Travel Time to Work owner costs with a mortgage 20-64 60% 19 and Under 32% 65 and Over 8% 22 Miles Closest Major Airport: ETHNICITY Minneapolis-Saint Paul White 84% International Airport Black 3% Owners Renters PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Hispanic 5% There are 46,214 housing units Minnesota Valley in Scott County. Approximately Asian 6% Transit Authority 38,775 are owner-occupied and Other 2% www.mtva.com 7,439 are occupied by renters.

WATER & SEWER GAS ELECTRICITY Shakopee Public Utilities Contact your local CenterPoint Energy MN Valley Electric spucweb.com municipality for info centerpointenergy.com mvec.net Xcel Energy xcelenergy.com

VISIT OUR ADVERTISERS

Canterbury Park New Prague Area Schools www.canterburypark.com www.npaschools.org City of Shakopee RiverSouth www.shakopeemn.gov www.riversouthmn.com Edina Realty Scott County www.shakopee.edinarealty.com www.co.scott.mn.us Edina Realty Prior Lake – Savage Shakopee Area Catholic School www.priorlakesavage.edinarealty.com www.sacsschools.org Hampton Inn Minneapolis-Shakopee St. Francis Regional Medical Center www.hampton.com www.stfrancis-shakopee.com Holiday Inn Express & Suites Welcome Neighbor www.hiexpress.com/shakopeemn www.welcomeneighbormn.com

24 Scott County TOP EMPLOYERS, JOBS AND SUCCESS STORIES BUSINESS

BUILDING BUSINESS Prior Lake City Hall is home to the city’s Technology Village Business Accelerator. STAFF PHOTO

livability.com/mn/shakopee 25 BUSINESS Business Great places to live are great places to work. Take a look at the major industries, top employers and OVERVIEW other economic assets here.

TECHNOLOGY Beckhoff is a Germany-based company with operations in Savage that focus on PC software applications, while CommScope’s 400 employees in Shakopee produce components for the aerospace, automotive, defense and medical industries among others. Shutterfly recently opened a facility in Shakopee where 1,000 employees manage an online photo-sharing and storage site, and Datacard Group has moved to Shakopee to manufacture credit card printing machines. In its 500,000-square-foot building in Shakopee, Rosemount, a division of Emerson Electric, is producing sensors that measure pressure and temperature levels. And Chart Industries operates a manufacturing facility in New Prague that produces and stores industrial gases used in the energy and biomedical industries. CONSTRUCTION Whether you’re considering rural or city living, K.A. Witt Construction, a residential developer headquartered in New Prague, is building single- family homes at various price points throughout Scott County. Key Land Homes is constructing the Eagle Creek neighborhood in Prior Lake with homes starting at $330,000, and floor Shutterfly in Shakopee and Cargill in Savage are both plans that can be customized significant contributors to the local economy. to suit customers’ preferences.

26 Scott County AGRICULTURE Cargill’s large grain- processing operation is doing Can you imagine … a lucrative business in Savage, a world without children? while Rahr Corporation in Shakopee oversees malt and barley production for the We Can’t. brewing industry. ConAgra Foods in New Prague makes Call 1-800-996-4100 to help. products that get branded with www.stjude.org names like Marie Callender’s and Healthy Choice. Cedar Summit is an organic dairy farm in Shakopee where cows are 100 percent grass-fed. MYSTIC LAKE CASINO & HOTEL The only casino hotel in the Twin Cities is Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, established in 1992 by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Between Mystic Lake Casino and the nearby Little Six Casino the SMSC is the largest private employer in Scott County, providing more than 5,000 jobs. SCALE SCALE is an acronym for Scott County Association for Leadership and Efficiency. Officials meet monthly to discuss how the quality of life in Scott County can be enhanced in transportation, parks, community development, public safety and government. Officials represent schools, cities, townships, the county and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. .com Learn more about the economy and businesses in Scott County livability.com/mn/shakopee

26 Scott County livability.com/mn/shakopee 27 28 Scott County BUSINESS

FORWARD FOCUSED SCHOOLS EXCEL IN STEM EDUCATION

by Teree Caruthers

he U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2022, the number of STEM- related jobs (those concentrated in the fieldsT of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) will grow to more than 9 million. School districts and business leaders in Scott County are working to ensure the county’s students are prepared to fill those jobs by implementing a STEM- based curriculum and immersing students in real-world problem- solving instruction. THINKING CAPS In fall 2015, Shakopee Public Schools started the CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) Shakopee students may now get authentic career program, which is an elective for experiences through the new CAPS program. juniors and seniors at Shakopee

28 Scott County livability.com/mn/shakopee 29 Shakopee juniors and seniors learn about potential careers through immersive coursework in the new CAPS program.

High School. The program in Project Lead the Way, the immerses students country’s leading provider of in authentic career experiences, STEM curriculum and teacher thanks to the help of local training for grades K-12, which business partners. Students allows students to take hands-on, in the Digital Design program project-based courses in report to Shakopee’s Shutterfly engineering and biomedical facility and the students in the sciences. The district also enlists Healthcare and Medicine the help of area companies, such program report to St. Francis as Seagate, the global leader in Regional Medical Center, where data storage solutions, to provide they work on projects for these the expertise that makes its business partners. For example, programs top-notch. students in the Healthcare and Jordan Public Schools also Medicine program created a participate in the Project Lead hand-washing video for use the Way program. The district’s at the hospital. elementary school students learn “We are leading the way in the engineering skills by studying state with our CAPS program,” concepts such as stability and said Superintendent Dr. Rod motion, energy conversion, and Thompson. “Our students are structure and function Meanwhile, immersed in a professional eighth-graders learn about design environment and are actively and modeling. Carol Lagergren, acquiring the skills they need director of teaching and learning to be college and career ready.” for Jordan Public Schools, says Students in the Shakopee CAPS the problem-based model of program earn dual credit – credit instruction is important to prepare with Shakopee High students for the technology-based School and college credit jobs of the future. through Normandale “Our world is changing at a Community College. very rapid pace. We are focused In addition, the school on providing education that district’s junior high and prepares our students for living high schools participate in the 21st century and this

30 Scott County means STEAM – science, “We offer several courses that technology, engineering, arts apply directly to engineering and math – programming that with IT, but this year in our Business entices interest in technology middle school, for example, we SPOTLIGHT and science based careers,” launched a new course in health adds Superintendent Matthew called Medical Detectives, which Helgerson. “Our country brings in those components of ONSITE ENGINEERING and world need a next- technology, engineering and & FORENSIC SERVICES generation workforce that environmental education as From their offices in Prior Lake, can utilize technology to well,” he says. the team at Onsite Engineering solve problems, improve & Forensic Services investigates efficiencies and positively WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT structures or materials that fail or don’t function properly, impact our environment.” Prior Lake High School causing damage to property incorporates business principles or personal injury. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT into its STEM and Information http://onsite-engineering.com Jordan Public Schools Technology classes. In the integrates art education into school’s fabrication laboratory, its STEM curriculum and is students design and manufacture CAMBRIA a fine arts leader in the MRC a product using 3D printers. Local In Belle Plaine, Cambria produces Conference. Similarly, Prior business leaders work with natural quartz surfaces like Lake-Savage Area Schools students to develop a marketing countertops and bath tiles for combines environmental strategy for their product and homes, offering about 125 natural education and STEM. In fact, teach them about sales analysis. stone designs for homeowners, the district’s elementary Holmberg says the relationship retailers, architects, contractors schools were the first in the the district has with area and professional landscapers. state to implement an E-STEM businesses plays a vital role in the www.cambriausa.com/new-design curriculum. The E-STEM district’s academic achievement. approach merges hands-on “With the partners that we science, technology, engineering have, students get to see how BY THE YARD and mathematical practices with what they’re learning in school By the Yard in Jordan manufactures projects and field experiences is applied in the real world,” outdoor patio chairs, tables and chaise related to the environment. Holmberg says. “At the same lounges from recycled plastic milk “The district has a long time, these organizations are jugs, with products available in nine history of having looking for a talented and earth-tone colors. environmental education well-educated workforce … and www.bytheyard.net as really an integrated and we’re preparing our students embedded component for to be marketable.” ANCHOR GLASS all of our curriculums,” says Glassmaking is the specialty at Jeff Holmberg, assistant Anchor Glass in Shakopee, a superintendent of Prior company that creates, customizes Lake-Savage Area Schools. and ships glass bottles and jars used “Environmental education to package beverages, beer, liquor is very important to this and food. community, and it’s part of its business FORWARD www.anchorglass.com value. There is a dedication to FOCUSED nature and maintaining current SCHOOLS EXCEL IN STEM EDUCATION

by Teree Caruthers

natural resources.” he U.S. Bureau of ROLLX VANS Labor Statistics predicts that by 2022, the number of STEM- related jobs (those concentrated in the fieldsT of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) will grow to more than 9 million. School districts and business Holmberg says the fusing of leaders in Scott County are working to ensure the county’s Outfitting new and used minivans and students are prepared to fill those jobs by implementing a STEM- based curriculum and immersing students in real-world problem- solving instruction.

28 s environmental education with cott county THINKING CAPS shakopee students may now get authentic career In fall 2015, Shakopee Public full-size vans with wheelchair loading experiences through the new caps Schools started the CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) program. program, which is an elective for juniors and seniors at Shakopee

livability.com/mn/shakopee STEM made sense, because both 29 and unloading capabilities is the mission areas of study involve complex at Rollx Vans, whose technicians travel problem solving, creativity DIGITAL MAGAZINE to customers’ homes to perform the and elements of technology Read it online or on your tablet and customization process. and engineering. quickly share articles with friends. www.rollxvans.com

30 Scott County livability.com/mn/shakopee 31 RETAIL, TOURISM & DINING ECONOMIC PROFILE $1.2B Annual Retail Sales WORKFORCE BUSINESSES $527M 12,029 Annual Hotel and Food Sales Total number of firms TRANSPORTATION ASSETS TAXES Minneapolis-Saint Paul 0% City Sales and Use Tax International Airport 0% County Sales Tax www.mspairport.com 6.875% State Sales Tax Union Pacific Railroad 6.875% Total Sales Tax www.up.com EDUCATION LEVEL TOP EMPLOYERS HOUSEHOLD INCOME High School Only 25% Some College or Associate Degree 33% 1000+ Bachelor’s Degree 27% Graduate or Professional 500-999 Degree 9% Other 6% 300-499

SMSC Gaming Enterprise, 47,246 Valley Fair Amusement Park, Seagate Manufacturing/Research Total number employed Image Print Solutions, St. Francis RMC Health Care, 60,364 19,843 19,296 TE Connectivity, Canterbury Park 3.2% Holding Corporation, Chart Inc. $100,000+ Unemployment Rate Continential Machines, $35,000-99,999 Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Northstar Auto Auction, Bureau of Labor Statistics Mayo Clinic Health System $34,999 and under

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SHAKOPEE AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL

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SHAKOPEE AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL

AIM HIGHER – EXPECT MORE SEE THE DIFFERENCE! WHY SACS? Let us count the ways … SACS is a safe, fun, academically challenging and faith-filled school! ① Faith is Our Foundation Partial and Full-day PreK ② Challenging Academics Five-day/Full-day Preschool and K-Readiness Programs ③ Teachers Who Care Full-day/Half-day ④ Diversity in Arts, Athletics & Extracurriculars Kindergarten-8th grade ⑤ Fostering a Love of Learning Children of All Faiths Welcome ⑥ Scholarships Available Commitment to Service & Citizenship PLTW/STEM Certified ⑦ Individual Success, Supportive Environment YMCA Before/After School Care ⑧ Parent Communication & Safety is a High Priority ⑨ First-Class Facility ⑩ Sense of Community

2700 17th Ave. E. Shakopee, MN 55379 (952) 445-3387 Admission Office, Ext. 137 www.sacsschools.org