Dakota Electric Association is accepting applications for the Touchstone Energy Community Award, which recognizes nonprofit groups, community organizations and businesses for the efforts of those that addressed unmet community needs or provided necessary services.
Dakota Electric will provide three $500 awards. One recipient will be chosen to compete against award winners from across the state for the Minnesota Touchstone Energy Community Award and a cash prize of $1,000. The statewide award winner will be recognized at the Minnesota Rural Electric Association annual meeting in March.
The deadline to apply for the community award is Nov. 1. To receive judging criteria and an application, call Brenda Kadlec at 651-463-6234, or go to www.dakotaelectric.com and look under "about us" and "community."
Lakeville scores construction gains
Residential construction continues to fuel most building activity in Lakeville.
The city recently reported it has issued building permits with a total value of $111.3 million through the end of September. This compares with $82 million for the same period in 2012.
Lakeville has issued 273 single family home permits valued at $86 million for the nine-month period, up from 183 permits valued at $53.6 million for the same period last year. The Builders Association of the Twin Cities recently reported that Lakeville is second behind Woodbury in the number of residential permits issued so far this year in the metro area.
Lakeville issued commercial and industrial permits with a total valuation of $10 million through end of September, an increase from $9.1 million for the same period a year ago.
Former Enjoy owner dies
Services were held last week for Dan Shimek, part of the husband-and-wife team that ran the Enjoy restaurant in Apple Valley. Shimek, 65, died of cancer Oct. 11.
