NEW Prairie Waters Visitor & Relocation Guides Available!
The brand new Western Minnesota Prairie Waters Visitor & Relocation guides are in and being disbursed throughout our region! In the guide, you will find info on a variety of topics on the counties of Big Stone, Swift, Lac qui Parle, Chippewa, and Yellow Medicine including healthcare, education, broadband, parks, and the arts. The guides also feature beautiful pictures of the region, community features, and highlights on residents! Hard copies are being distributed throughout the region and also being mailed to visitor centers throughout Minnesota and beyond. There is also an online version that you can view by clicking the button below.
Visitor & Relocation GuideLac qui Parle County Park Receives Grant Funding
The UMVRDC continues to assist Lac qui Parle County with improvements to Lac qui Parle County Park, which was designated a regional park in 2018 by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC). The UMVRDC has helped with funding requests, environmental review, and master planning process.
In 2023, the UMVRDC wrote a grant to the GMRPTC for the first in series of phased improvements. They received $595,370 with a $150,563 local match to install a bridge over the Lac qui Parle River, create a parking lot, develop trails and add signage. The UMVRDC will also assist with implementing the grant.
Canby Initiates Safe Routes to School Planning
The Canby School District was awarded $29,485 from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to create a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan. UMVRDC staff will lead the planning process to identify a list of potential infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions to help more children walk and bicycle safely to and from school.
Graceville Funded to Implement Safe Routes Plan
The UMVRDC worked with the City of Graceville and Big Stone County to write three grants to implement projects from the Clinton Graceville Beardsley Safe Routes to School Plan the UMVRDC completed earlier in 2023. The grants all were for the same project- new sidewalks, repair and replacement of existing sidewalks and ADA improvements for areas in and around the school. The original concept was split into two phases to allow the CGB School District to finalize plans for the additions planned for the Graceville school location. The grant applications were submitted to the following programs: Transportation Alternatives, Safe Routes to School Infrastructure, and Active Transportation. In May, Graceville was awarded $349,199 from the Safe Routes to School Infrastructure program.
Employer Lunch & Learn Webinars
As a continuation of the discussions coming out of last fall’s workforce summit, the UMVRDC has started hosting Employer Lunch and Learn webinars. These webinars are intended to take a deeper dive into workforce recruitment and retention topics and provide attendees with helpful information they can use to attract and retain employees. So far, three sessions have been held:
- March 11 – Employer & Youth Connections – Carrie Bendix/Kelly Rickert, SWMNPIC; Eriann Faris, SWWC Co-op/LYFT
- May 21 – Improving your Job Postings Using Social Media – Jessica Schwinghammer, VantagePoint Marketing Consultants
- June 11 – Summary of State/Federal Legislation Impacting Employers – Pamela Harris, PLLC, Employment Attorney
After each event, presenters’ slides and a recording of the session are posted on our website. We plan to host these every couple of months or as topics come up. If you would like to be notified of upcoming webinars, please contact Kevin or watch our Facebook page for future announcements.
Funding Available for Business Start-Ups or Expansions
Gap financing makes the deal possible! The UMVRDC Revolving Loan Fund is designed to provide gap financing for business and industry starting up or expanding in the five-county region of Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift and Yellow Medicine. The primary focus of the program is manufacturing and industrial-related businesses that will create or retain jobs. It’s called the RLF because as these loans are paid back, they are loaned out again.
The UMVRDC Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) was recently part of a loan package to help new owners Matt and Kirsten Karels buy and reopen the Ortonville Dairy Queen. In a small town, every business is important and we are so pleased we could be a part of their new venture.
There is currently $1.5 million in loan funds available in the UMVRDC’s RLF. Loan rates have been lowered, we are currently offering a five-year fixed rate of 5%. Amortizations can be up to 15 years. The UMVRDC’s lower rate makes the overall project more profitable.
Special rates are available to minority groups: 4.5%, five-year fixed rates. Amortizations can be up to 15 years. Also, minority groups qualify for a reduced origination fee of 0.5%. Normally, the origination fee is 1%. Minority groups include, people of color, Hispanic, women and veterans.
Since 1988, 157 loans have been made for a total of over $10 million providing access to affordable capital through gap financing for business start-ups or expansions. Buying or creating a small business takes money. Many times, the people with the passion and idea to start a business don’t have the dollars. Gap financing through the UMVRDC can help. If you or someone you know is looking at a business start-up or expansion, please give Dalen a call. We are here to help.
UMVRDC Collaborates to Bring Childcare Funding to the Area
The UMVRDC partnered with the Southwest Initiative Foundation and Prairie Five Community Action on developing a regional application to DEED’s Childcare Economic Development Grant program. A regional survey was sent to 125 childcare providers to identify projects that would increase the number of childcare slots in the region. Initially 29 providers said they were interested but after thorough discussions about the eligible activities and timeline, five projects were identified as shovel ready and were included in the application.
The application proposed to create 134 new childcare slots between five local projects that included two existing centers and four new providers. One of the five projects is a pod model that will include two different family providers. Among the five projects identified in this application, 23 new childcare worker jobs were proposed. These funds will also protect 33 existing jobs located at the two centers that are proposing expansion. The application requested $421,225 in funding that would be sub-granted to the five projects and will be leveraged by $1,195,435 in additional local project funding. Project funding comes from the projects and several other local community partners who have made funds available to childcare projects in their community. In addition, the $33,000 in state project administrative funds requested from this application were over-matched by local partners who have prioritized childcare as an important economic issue.
Prairie Five was notified in May that they were a grant recipient of $380,000. This program would provide grant funding to local projects that will increase the number of childcare slots in the region. Prairie Five will act as the project administrator and manage the subaward process.
Welcome, Nick!
Nick Gjerde joined the UMVRDC as a Clean Energy Community Development Specialist in early April. He is from Layfayette, MN where he grew up and earned his Eagle Scout. Nick holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of Minnesota and is nearing completion of a master’s degree in Global Development Practice from Harvard Extension School.
When not working, he enjoys cycling, going for long walks while listening to audio books, podcasts, and all kinds of music genres. He also finds time for gaming with friends and taking care of his cat, Eve.
Nick’s BioWelcome, Paige!
We are excited to welcome back Paige Meyer as our summer intern! Her main focus will be working on the UMVRDC Developable Property Inventory, helping with the Scenic Byway program, and working on creating a Regional Housing Lot Incentive Inventory.
Paige is a 2023 Lac qui Parle Valley graduate and just finished her first year at South Dakota State University studying for Community and Regional Planning, GIS, and Geography.
UMVRDC Staff Service Recognition
Matt Moe, Finance Director, started at the UMVRDC on June 1, 2016. Matt spends his time managing all the finances directly related to the agency and its budget. Matt is also part of the management team so he is involved in the day-to-day operations of the UMVRDC. Matt has a strong finance background and we’re fortunate to have him on our team for the past eight years!
Board Member Appreciation
Rusty Dimberg recently reached his 20-year milestone as a UMVRDC board member. Rusty has represented the Big Stone County Townships on the UMVRDC since April 2004. Rusty is a native of Ortonville and has farmed his entire life. He is active in his church and the Salvation Army of Big Stone County and recently retired as an EMT.
Rusty represents the UMVRDC on the MnDOT District 4 West Central Area Transportation Partnership as well as an advisory member of the Revolving Loan Fund board. When asked what he likes best about the UMVRDC, Rusty responded, “We help the region we represent and try to make the area a better place.”
Rusty is a huge supporter and steward of the UMVRDC. Rusty’s service and contributions over the years have been much appreciated. Thank you, Rusty!
Upcoming Events
July 16: Employer Lunch & Learn: Small Town Vibes
Online Webinar || 12:00 p.m.
July 23: Annual Meeting & Tour
Ortonville || TBD
July 4: UMVRDC Office closed for Independence Day Holiday
September 2: UMVRDC Office closed for Labor Day Holiday
September 24: UMVRDC Monthly Meeting
Appleton Civic Center || 6:30 p.m.