2026 Minnesota Family Business Awards
In 2026, Twin Cities Business is recognizing a diverse set of five family-owned businesses that have innovated in their fields while defining industry standards. They’ve led with core values, too.
The family tenets that shaped Plunkett’s Pest Control in the 1920s, for example, still guide it today—including quality of service and investment in employees. Liberty Diversified International, known for its paper mill and specialty box manufacturing, is also known for caring, innovation, trust, and excellence.
New Horizon Academy holds true to the ethos of its founder, who wanted to create a childcare program that nurtures self-esteem. As Kowalski’s looks to the future, leadership of the grocery retailer believes that whoever takes over will carry forward family methods. And the third-generation owners of Cox Insurance refer back to their parents and grandfather, who inlaid company DNA with a “quality-over-quantity” focus.
This year’s five honorees and five finalists were evaluated based on management, governance, organizational structure, transition plan, success, and other key factors. We will formally honor this year’s group of winners at an event at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis on Sept. 15.
