Tidbits December 2022

SUNRISE BANKS HONORED
Sunrise Banks has received Fast Company’s Brands That Matter award, a national accolade that recognizes companies making an impact beyond the bottom line and authentically communicating their mission and values.
“Brands That Matter honorees don’t just recite corporate vision statements or management talking points; they have achieved relevance through cultural impact and social engagement, and their branding authentically communicates a brand’s current mission and ideals,” according to Fast Company, an American business magazine with readership in the hundreds of thousands.
Past recipients of the Brands that Matter award include Patagonia Provisions, Ben and Jerry’s and Nike. This year, Sunrise was acknowledged alongside numerous other brands ranging in size from one to 1,000 employees.
“Sunrise Banks has been focused on empowering financial wellness since day one – we strive to be an innovative partner focused on social impact,” said Sunrise Banks CEO David Reiling. “We’re proud to receive this recognition and humbled to be in such great company among this year’s Brands That Matter award recipients.”
Winning companies were judged on relevance, cultural and business impact and ingenuity by Fast Company’s editorial team.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON METRO GOLD LINE
On Oct. 19, Metro Transit and project partners celebrated the start of construction on the METRO Gold Line, which will become the first Bus Rapid Transit service in Minnesota to primarily use bus lanes.
When construction is finished, Gold Line buses will run along a 10-mile corridor generally north and near Interstate 94, serving stops in Saint Paul, Maplewood, Landfall, Oakdale, and Woodbury. Service is scheduled to begin in 2025.
“With all-day service in both directions, the Gold Line will become a convenient, reliable and sustainable transportation option for people traveling along the Interstate 94 corridor,’’ Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle said.
Like other BRT lines, the Gold Line will feature enhanced stations with heat, light, and real-time signs, and specialized buses that allow for all-door boarding. Approximately 70% of the Gold Line route will use bus lanes.
Maplewood resident Darrell Paulsen, who chaired the project’s Community and Business Advisory Committee, looks forward to riding the Gold Line for work and social outings. Paulsen lives near the future Maplewood Station and is among the 13% of households in the Gold Line corridor who are without cars. “I have cerebral palsy, so Bus Rapid Transit is a great asset to my family and myself,” Paulsen said.
The Gold Line will provide access to several key destinations, including downtown Saint Paul, the Sun Ray Shopping Center, 3M’s Maplewood headquarters, Tamarack Hills and Woodbury Village. There are around 93,500 jobs within a half-mile of Gold Line stations.
“It’s a win/win,” said Will Schroeer, executive director of East Metro Strong. “People in Dayton’s Bluff get access to more jobs, and suburban employers get access to more employees.’’
And more development is coming. As of 2020, more than $388 million in permitted construction was occurring along the Gold Line corridor and another $1.2 billion in development was planned.
The Gold Line project is being led by Metro Transit with support from Ramsey and Washington counties. The Federal Transit Administration is covering almost half of capital costs, estimated at $505 million.