News + Announcements

By Katelynne Kratz

The Rural Capacity Program (RCP) continues to drive economic revitalization in 18 cities across Greater Minnesota, providing crucial technical assistance and financial support. Each city has received 150 hours of technical assistance, totaling 2,700 CEDA staff hours, along with $15,000 in funding, amounting to $270,000 invested directly into rural economic development.

CEDA’s collaboration with these cities has led to notable achievements, including the creation of Revolving Loan Fund Programs, the development of large grant applications such as DNR and USDA grants, and the launch of business outreach, website integrations, and Commercial Façade Programs. In many cases, the initial $15,000 investment has attracted additional private and public funding, amplifying the program’s impact. Notable success stories include:

• Danvers: Utilized their $15,000 fund to support downtown business renovations, researched grants to repurpose a former bank into a community center, and developed a Community Impressions Report.
• Vergas: Launched a $50,000 Commercial Rehabilitation Program, secured $10,000 inlocal contributions, and obtained a $25,000 matching grant to further economic growth.
• Elmore: Secured $50,000 for a downtown activity park, established a business revolving loan fund with $15,000 in private investment, and hosted a successful holiday vendor fair to support local commerce.

The value of the RCP is reflected in feedback from community leaders:

“The program absolutely has helped the city determine the legitimate need for a child care facility and greatly helped begin and coordinate discussions with private enterprise to potentially locate a child care facility in the city.” 

— City of Buhl

“Having someone whose job it is to spend time on these efforts is invaluable. The rest of us all have other jobs and are doing this work as volunteers. It is great to have someone with experience and contacts dedicated to it.” 

— City of New York Mills

Advocacy for Continued Support

With Round 1 nearing completion, efforts are underway to expand the program to 20 communities in Round 2. Senator Nelson and Representative Pursell have authored a bill to secure continued funding, ensuring RCP’s positive impact reaches even more rural cities.

On Monday, February 17th, RCP Manager Amy Schaefer, along with interns Katelynne Kratz and Macey Becker, and CEDA staff member Celia Simpson, met with senators at the Capitol to advocate for the bill. Their goal was to identify co-authors and rally support, highlighting the tangible success stories and economic benefits the program has brought to Greater Minnesota. These conversations helped build momentum and solidify legislative backing for the initiative.

The Rural Capacity Program has proven that dedicated staff time, strategic investment, and strong community collaboration can drive real economic progress. By securing continued funding, CEDA can empower more communities, attract additional resources, and reinforce the resilience of rural Minnesota’s small towns. The program serves as a testament to what’s possible when communities have the tools and support they need to thrive.

by Laura Mitteness

Parkers Prairie has secured a $15,000 grant from the CEDA Rural Capacity Program (RCP) to help establish a revolving loan fund (RLF) through its Economic Development Authority (EDA). These funds will match a USDA-Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) application to maximize the fund’s impact in its first year.

Since its establishment in 2023, the Parkers Prairie EDA has prioritized local economic growth. The new RLF will provide local businesses with essential gap financing, keeping development within the community.

Having worked with the Parkers Prairie EDA through the RCP, I’ve seen their dedication firsthand. They have been a fantastic community to work with—positive, proactive, and committed to making a difference. Their enthusiasm for economic development has made this process impactful and rewarding. Supporting small businesses through gap financing is a significant step toward long-term economic stability.

This initiative is just the beginning. Parkers Prairie’s commitment to local growth ensures that businesses will continue to benefit from this resource for years to come.

By Jack Wheeler

Le Sueur-Henderson High School recently acquired two new sets of Virtual Reality Goggles thanks to support from Community and Economic Development Associates, South Central Service Cooperative, and The Future Ready CTE Grant. The goggles allow for a new range of applications previously unavailable for students and allow for simulation in the hospital setting.

The program offers 30+ interactive simulations including checking vitals, cleaning and sanitizing equipment, working with patients, and even denture care. Students have the opportunity to interact with the virtual patients, and experience the hospital setting without leaving the classroom. One student, Porter, described the equipment as useful, “We learn about the skills on paper, but it is nice to be able to practice them in a hospital setting. It is the perfect balance between classroom and clinic!”

Health teacher Beth Wagner enjoys using the new technology because students can experiment on their own, and the simulation “teleports you to the location you are supposed to be, which easily guides the students through the process.” Simulations also allow for students to learn at their own pace, and test their skills with specialised training and exam modes.

The equipment can be used for a variety of applications as well, including automotive, engineering, culinary and hospitality, and the arts.

Ron Zeigler

I hope you all had a very merry holiday season!

CEDA is starting 2025 with renewed energy and excitement for the year ahead. As interest in CEDA’s services continues to grow, so does our team. In the last two decades, we have seen rapid growth in the number of employees and the physical geography we cover, and last year our leadership determined that it was time to reorganize our management structure to better support our staff and communities.

 

We thoughtfully reworked our organizational structure to better serve our growing team and offer a transparent framework for internal career progression. Regional Manager positions were added and departments were clearly defined to better support our team and the work they do. New positions were filled in the fall and everyone is settling in. While this framework is still new and we’re still working out all of the kinks, these changes have already proven to be a positive step forward for our organization.

These changes have also included new executive leadership. I would like to proudly announce CEDA’s new Chief Operations Officer, James Hanke, and Chief Mission Officer, Courtney Bergey Swanson. Their passion for rural economic development is an asset to our organization and the communities we serve.

Courtney will be a familiar face to many of you, starting with CEDA almost nine years ago. With over 15 years of experience providing creative, place-based support to rural communities, Courtney most recently served as CEDA’s Vice President of Development and Collaborative Services. Her leadership has grown the Community Grants Department and has been instrumental in developing CEDA’s Strategic Initiatives.

As a lifelong resident of western Wisconsin, James received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a master’s degree in Community & Economic Development from Penn State’s World Campus. James has twenty-five years of community and economic development experience in Wisconsin serving in various roles in both the public and private sector. James joined CEDA in 2023 as Vice President of Wisconsin Operations.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to see what 2025 brings for CEDA. Changes are inevitable for a growing organization, but our commitment to bettering rural communities has never wavered.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.