Council Member's Message

One of the First Ward’s most distinctive buildings also houses one of our most distinctive businesses. That’s Clockwork Active Media Systems, which was recently featured on NBC Nightly News for its growing reputation as one of the best workplaces in the country.

Clockwork Active is a digital solutions company that develops applications, websites and tools for businesses and numbers Best Buy, General Mills, Cargill and the YMCA among its clients. Over the past few years Clockwork Active has also received more than 16 “Best Workplace” awards from the Star Tribune, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Minnesota Business Magazine and other outlets. The company is routinely cited for its family-friendly policies, attitudes of respect for its employees, focus on life-work balance and general atmosphere of hard work combined with fun.

It’s also in a great location. In 2009 the company relocated to 1500 E. Hennepin, the former Rayvic Gas Station. This property had been redeveloped by Andrew Volna, the Ward One developer and entrepreneur who’s currently redeveloping the Hollywood Theater on Johnson Street.

It’s always exciting to see one of our community’s local businesses, in one of our iconic buildings, making national news in such a positive way. But behind this story is a larger narrative about our community and its economic vitality. From the exciting activity occurring up and down Central Avenue as both new and established businesses renovate and expand to the vibrancy of the re-purposed buildings that house our community's art studios, Ward One has increasingly become a magnet for creative industries. At the same time, this economic energy supports our community's diversity, livability and recreational amenities. Ward One is indeed a great place to work!