An hour after voting closed the winners were announced with Minnesota Valley Funeral Home receiving small business of the year and Jensen Motors winning large business of the year.

Chamber members were asked to nominate businesses for this recognition based on three criteria: Chamber involvement, community involvement and economic impact.

The Small Business Award was accepted by Minnesota Valley Funeral Home (MVFH) General manager Eric Warmka. Upon learning MVFH received the award, he assured the audience the voting was not rigged and that his wife Sarah Warmka, the Chamber President, had nothing to do with the vote.

“This means more to us than you understand,” Warmka said. “It is truly an honor to serve this community and to be recognized in this light from the Chamber.”

Jensen Motors receives the 2025 Large Business of the Year award. General Managers Ben Jensen and Nicole Jensen-Briggs accepted the award for Jenson Motors. The thanked the business community for the award and for being supportive of Jensen Motors. Ben Jensen said they were proud to be part of New Ulm. Jensen Motors staff at the award ceremony L to R: Cody Thompson, Kevin Dewanz, Nicole Jensen-Briggs, Tyler Chadderon and Ben Jensen.

Warmka congratulated the other nominees for small business, Schaefer Crane and Inspired.

“As outstanding community business leaders, I want to thank them for the hard work that they do.”

Warmka said the award represented 96 years of hard work from Minnesota Valley Funeral Home.

“It takes more than thrifty stubborn Germans to keep a cooperative alive, and for that, I want to thank every employee and board member who has been a part of Minnesota Valley over the years,” Warmka said.

He said each member of the funeral home’s staff brings compassion, professionalism and empathy to their work every day.

“I am incredibly proud to work alongside each of these individuals and I am grateful for their contributions to our success,” Warmka said.

Warmka said the community is blessed to have one of the last remaining cooperative funeral homes in the entire country and it is the mission of Minnesota Valley Funeral Home to be a service to the community. He said community was important to the work of Minnesota Valley Funeral Home.

“In times of grief and loss, it is the support and kindness of our community that provides comfort and solace to those who are grieving.”

Ben Jensen and Nicole Jensen-Briggs accepted the large business of the year award on behalf of Jensen Motors.

Ben Jensen congratulated fellow business nominees, Nuvera and J&R Schugel.

“Everyone is deserving of this award and you are all winners in our book,” he said.

Jensen-Briggs praised the entire New Ulm business community. She told a story of how she grew up in New Ulm and moved away after graduation but came back after realizing New Ulm was where she wanted to be. She has heard similar stories from others. She credited the local businesses for helping make New Ulm a great community.

“This is a city that people want to return to,” Jensen-Briggs said.

Ben Jensen thanked the entire New Ulm community for their support ever since they established Jensen Motors in 1988.

“New Ulm is an amazing city for business and families alike and we are so proud to be part of it,” he said.

Ben Jensen also thanked all of their employee at Buick GMC, Tunnel Car Wash and Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.

“The award is a reflection on the customer service you provide each and every day,” he said. “From sales to service, parts and car wash we are so appreciative to them as well as as all our customers for your loyalty.”

Jensen said Jenson Motors will continue to support the community and provide the types of vehicles the community needs.