When the recent economic downturn forced General Motors to cut hundreds of dealerships from its network, the Brown family dealership in Faribault was on the list, despite a 40-year record of successfully serving the region. After receiving the bad news, the Brown family couldn't find anyone at GM willing listen to their appeals and to hear about the health of the franchise, and its importance to the community. The dealership employs 75 people, whose jobs were at stake.

With the help of a state legislator, the family contacted Senator Franken, who met with the family. After hearing about the Browns' long record of success, and GM's unresponsiveness to their appeals, Franken and his staff worked for months to bring GM and the dealership together. Through a series of contacts, GM became persuaded that the dealership deserved to keep its franchise.

Mike Brown, the dealership's general manager, credits Franken for being able to "break through the bureaucracy" and help the Brown's retain their GM franchise and continue to provide jobs and service to people in the community and throughout the region.