Mankato, Minnesota is a major regional center that has been designated as a Metropolitan Statistical Area and has earned several livability awards. Recently, it was reported that Mankato's economic growth leads Minnesota and among the top in the nation. Low office and energy costs and productive workforce make Mankato one of the least expensive places to do business in the Upper Midwest; and, in the top 17 percent of the nation. View a video about Mankato, Minnesota--an economic engine of the Midwest.