Building Strong Communities, Together
Making a Positive Impact
Our dedication to excellence extends beyond just the scope of a project. We are committed to making our communities vibrant and comfortable for all. Our core belief that we should build more than buildings guides our organization's mindset, and we take pride in giving back generously. We understand that by helping establish successful communities, we all benefit. It's not just the right thing to do, it's what we're passionate about.
Giving Generously
At Knutson, we sincerely believe in being good corporate citizens — we know that working and living in our communities is both a responsibility and an opportunity. That’s why we’re always ready to put our topnotch problem-solving skills to the test to enhance the lives of those around us.
So, for years, we’ve given our time and talents to the communities we live, work, and play in. Whether our team members are offering helping hands at nonprofits they care about or we’re furthering community initiatives with monetary donations, you can count on Knutson to make a positive impact.
What's New with Team Blue
Below, you'll see firsthand the type of work we do in our communities and beyond. Whether you're seeing the friendly faces of our Minneapolis + Rochester teams or the hardworking hands of our Iowa City office, you can be sure that we are striving to make a difference in all that we do, wherever we are.
Sidewalk Superintendents
For the past year, a group of preschoolers that learned next door to Knutson’s Block 6 Parking Ramp project site in downtown Rochester watched eagerly as the project began to take shape. Each day they would walk past the job site, waving at Knutson workers with increased enthusiasm as the ramp grew.
So, ahead of the parking ramp officially opening in mid-March 2023, Superintendent Cody Grobe and crew decided to take the preschool group for a little tour of the project they had watched build out from the start. Each tour participant was given a mini construction kit, including a pail, shovel, snacks, and mini hardhat, and smiles were had all around.
“It was an honor to take our little sidewalk superintendents on a tour of the ramp!” said Grobe when remembering the experience.“I think we take construction for granted, since we do it every day. It’s cool to see how excited [the kids] were. I asked some of them what their favorite part of construction was, and almost all of them said the big crane — because it was so high!”
More Than Meals
In March 2023, Knutson’s Mankato team geared up to pack 3-day food packs for the Feeding Our Communities Partners backpack program, which provides elementary school students with nutritious, well-balanced meals when school is not in session. During this team- and community-building activity, Team Blue filled 375 bags which will provide 2,813 meals to kids in the area! Team members also presented the non-profit with a monetary donation to help further the backpack program even more.
“While giving back is important, it is also important to for us to team-build at Knutson,” said Stacey Albers, Office Manager of Knutson’s Rochester and Mankato offices. “Getting involved and making a difference is so rewarding to all of us, and it builds our relationships with each other. Feeding Our Community Partners is the perfect organization for us to give back AND have fun — we always leave laughing & feeling proud of our efforts!”
The Future of the Field
In early May, eleven high schoolers from Eagan High School toured two of Knutson’s active job sites — the Ridgeview Two-Twelve Medical Center Vertical Expansion, and Allina Health’s Primary Care Clinic in Lakeville. During their tour, students were able to explore and experience the different aspects of a construction project to truly get a taste of the plentiful opportunities the industry offers.
To begin, Knutson’s Virtual Design and Construction department showed students a virtual tour of the Ridgeview job site; students were then able to step foot on the actual site and see it in real time! Other aspects of innovation in construction were demonstrated and information was shared about the future of the field and pursuing construction as a career. Ramona Wilson, Diversity Director, also talked with attendees about Knutson’s DE&I initiatives and the importance of working at a company that truly values people.
“It was the best field trip we have taken since starting our program,” said one of the teachers facilitating the visit. “It was clear that [Knutson] put much thought and effort into planning our day and what the kids were able to experience.”
How We Give
Knutson Construction and members of Team Blue support several organizations and programs in the communities where we live, work, and play. Beginning in 2016, we even committed to being members of the Minnesota Keystone Foundation. This program promotes corporate philanthropy by recognizing and honoring companies that donate at least 2% of their pre-tax earnings to charitable organizations. We are proud to be part of this group of companies, and know our donations mean a great deal to the incredible organizations and non-profits that receive them.
Who We Help
We believe being good corporate citizens means giving generously to the people and organizations that make our communities great. As a part of this commitment, we have contributed to various organizations over the years, each of which aligns with our values and mission. Below is just a small sampling of the organizations and community groups we are proud to support and will continue to support in the future.
