News + Announcements

by Kelly Wilkens

CEDA would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest staff! We’ve added four additional staff since April:

• Hallie Raimann is serving the Wells and USC contracts. Hallie brings a rich and diverse background to her role as Community and Business Development Specialist. From a foundation in science to roles in education, non-profit leadership, and local business, she offers a unique blend of experience and heart that make her a natural fit for building strong community ties.
• Jayme Longmire is serving the Spring Grove contract. After living and working in Austin, TX for almost seven years, Jayme and her husband Patrick returned to the midwest in 2017. They became entrepreneurs, starting and operating retail and food service companies, providing Jayme with valuable insight into local business’ needs.
• Maddi Petrick is serving the Benson and Vergas contracts. Gaining valuable experience in project coordination and marketing/community engagement, Maddi’s background has sharpened her skills in strategic and creative thinking, as well as in fostering strong relationships and building partnerships within the community.
• Sarah Safstrom is serving the Nobles County and Lester Prairie contracts. Sarah brings over two decades of experience in healthcare, government, and civic organizations, along with a deep-rooted passion for public service. She takes great pride in supporting rural communities and fostering their growth and resilience.

They have each hit the ground running and we are excited to have them as part of our team. If you see them about – say hello!

by Todd Kieffer

The City of Kenyon is proud to announce its selection as a 2025 participant in the Empowering Small Minnesota Cities (ESMC) program!

Established by the State of Minnesota during the 2023 legislative session, the ESMC program is designed to help communities with fewer than 15,000 residents build capacity for developing resilient, sustainable, and adaptable infrastructure projects that support long-term vitality.

The program is led by a collaboration of University of Minnesota partners, including:

• Center for Transportation Studies
• U of M Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships
• Minnesota Design Center
• Humphrey School of Public Affairs
• Center for Urban and Regional Affairs

Additional University of Minnesota researchers and experts will be engaged based on each community’s unique needs.

While the ESMC program does not offer direct funding, it provides participating cities with valuable access to University of Minnesota teams who assist in shaping and strengthening project ideas—helping lay the foundation for future funding opportunities. For the City of Kenyon, the focus will be on two projects, revitalizing Depot Park and working to develop a more connected trail system within the community.

Depot Park Revitalization: A Community Priority
Based on findings from the Urban and Regional Studies Institute at Minnesota State University, Mankato, the revitalization of Depot Park has emerged as a top priority for Kenyon residents. Community-identified goals for the project include:

• Achieving full ADA compliance
• Increasing shaded areas for comfort and usability
• Introducing a walking path to improve accessibility
• Upgrading current amenities and adding features for all ages and abilities

As a historic and central green space in the city, these improvements will help transform Depot Park into an even more inclusive, welcoming community hub.

Citywide Trails Initiative: Linking the Community
In addition to park improvements, the Kenyon Park Board conducted a community-wide survey in 2024. Results showed that 71% of respondents believe developing a connected trail system should be a key priority. The Citywide Trails Initiative aims to:

• Build safe, accessible paths linking neighborhoods, parks, and key destinations
• Promote active living and community health
• Foster citywide connectivity and cohesion through thoughtful design

An enhanced trail network will benefit Kenyon residents for generations to come—supporting recreation, transportation, and overall well-being.

A Collaborative Effort
The ESMC application was written by Todd Kieffer, a representative of CEDA (Community and Economic Development Associates) and Kenyon’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) Coordinator. Todd utilized data and insights from two major sources: a previous study conducted by the Urban and Regional Studies Institute at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a 2024 community survey led by the City of Kenyon Trails Committee.This collaborative, data-driven approach provided a compelling case for Kenyon’s participation and outlined the City’s strong community vision for future improvements.

What’s Next?
The City of Kenyon will continue to update residents throughout the ESMC process. Beginning in June, there will be opportunities for community members to get involved and contribute ideas that will shape the future of Kenyon.

By Annie Nichols

CEDA’s Planning Department provides data-driven, community focused planning reports to help communities pursue their next project. We specialize in long range planning including housing studies, comprehensive planning, and strategic planning.

Here are details on when your community should look at updating a housing study, and how CEDA can help.

So, when is it time for a new housing study?

1. Low Development Activity
Are you wanting to see more new housing construction? CEDA’s Comprehensive Housing Study process is designed to identify development and funding opportunities to generate implementable ideas and recommendations. We can help kickstart housing efforts and identify projects that are best suited to your community.

2. Regularly Scheduled Housing Check in
Has it been awhile since you updated your housing study? We recommend updating a housing study every 5 years, especially when the community is experiencing development activity. The CEDA team can ensure development is meeting the needs of local residents, and also share key resources to make sure you are up to speed on the latest trends and funding sources.

3. Meet Lending Requirements
Do you have a developer in mind for your next housing project? When you begin working with a developer, they are likely to ask for a housing study – especially if they will be operating with a construction loan or similar lending program. A housing study will provide the community, developer, and lender with due diligence and peace of mind.

4. Leverage Funding
Does your housing project have a cost gap? A housing study identifies more than simply the type of housing needed, it can also provide grant and funding recommendations for your next project. The State of Minnesota has made almost $1 billion available for housing activities, and several are specifically geared towards Greater Minnesota communities. Regardless of your location, CEDA can identify available housing programs, and connect you with relevant resources and supportive organizations to bridge funding gaps.

5. Gather Community Feedback and Build Consensus
Likely, your community has more than one housing need, but what should you prioritize? Housing studies gather community feedback and conduct community engagement efforts to find momentum and build consensus for project support. This creates a more compelling narrative when looking at funding.

Ultimately, a comprehensive housing study is a tool that can be used to gather data, understand market trends, anticipate future needs and encourage community support. Let us help you bring your next housing project to life!

For more information, contact Annie Nichols, Planning Manager, at annie.nichols@cedausa.com

by Rebecca Charles

The Spring Grove EDA has recently been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Education’s Multi-Purpose Community Facility Projects Grant Program. The successful application was authored by CEDA’s Courtney Bergey Swanson.

Many small towns, including Spring Grove, tend to have high social capital. There are often generational and familial ties to the land and to the place, and longstanding relationships that create dense social networks where people feel they know their neighbors. What these rural communities often lack, however, is the built capital (buildings, public spaces, etc.) to activate the social connections that draw people to live in rural places. These spaces are also vital for welcoming newcomers who may not know where to plug in to community groups, volunteering opportunities, etc.

Spring Grove proposed to develop a new Spring Grove Library and Community Center that will provide much-needed services to the small community and surrounding rural area. The project includes the acquisition of a blighted downtown property on which the City will construct a new building that will feature an expanded public library and community center, including public meeting/event spaces, private meeting offices, a business incubator space, a community makerspace, and administrative offices. The proposed project will enable work, education, and health monitoring in the following ways:

WORK. The space will be outfitted with free, high-speed internet, access to technology including public computers, meeting spaces outfitted with audio/visual equipment, entrepreneurial support services, and business incubator spaces.

EDUCATION. The space will enable residents to engage in lifelong learning through valuable partnerships with the Spring Grove School District, Community Education, and local institutions.  Spring Grove Public Schools will use the space as a satellite classroom site for its community partnership programs, including local entrepreneurial mentorship, a student-led technology “help desk” to increase digital equity for the elders, and e-learning in collaboration with other rural schools and regional colleges and universities.

HEALTH MONITORING. The space will include private, sound-proof spaces for local individuals to access their individual tele-health services as well as special public programs administered by Houston County Public Health. Private, sound-proof spaces will be available for individuals seeking access to online mental health therapy as well as in-person therapy provided through regional partners and practitioners.

 

By Joshua Schuetz

Thirteen innovative rural businesses from Minnesota and Wisconsin have been selected for the Rural Business Innovation Lab’s (RBIL) 2025 cohort.

RBIL helps rural startups scale by providing one-on-one consulting, specialized training, and networking opportunities. Over the next eight months, members of RBIL’s newest cohort will receive these services at no cost to them. Since CEDA launched RBIL in 2023, the influential program has supported 20 businesses across two cohorts.

The 2025 cohort represents a diverse range of industries and products:

• Impacks (Waite Park, MN): A tech-driven company simplifying back-to-school shopping for families and educators nationwide.
• Carlson Roasting Company (Houston, MN): A small-batch coffee roaster sourcing Fair Trade and Organic beans from around the world.
• Clear View Regenerative Farms & Services (Altura, MN): Providing agricultural support and lab services to promote ecosystem regeneration in the Upper Midwest.
• Tiger Trail Lefse Chip Co. (Peterson, MN): A family-run business crafting flavorful lefse chips.
• Salt of the North (Northfield, MN): Producing natural dyes while fostering community education on sustainable textile practices.
• Ty’s Ginseng (Morristown, MN): Growing premium ginseng in Minnesota’s ideal climate.
• Prairie PROducers, LLC (Olivia, MN): An industrial hemp fiber producer helping diversify crop options and reduce reliance on petroleum-based plastics.
• Small Town Vibes (Hutchinson, MN): Enhancing rural talent attraction through immersive tourism experiences.
• Sweet Haven Tonics (New Ulm, MN): Crafting premium cocktail concentrates and hosting community events.
• Oh, Beehave! Goods (Hudson, WI): Offering organic, sustainable skincare and lip balm kits.
• American Hazelnut Company (Gays Mills, WI): A grower-owned business building a sustainable Midwest hazelnut industry.
• Tortilleria Zepeda (Lone Rock, WI): Producing authentic Mexican corn tortillas using traditional nixtamalization techniques.
• Woollets (Argyle, WI): Repurposing unused wool into a sustainable alternative to peat for soil renewal.

These businesses reflect the strength and innovation of rural entrepreneurs. RBIL looks forward to
supporting their growth in 2025 and beyond!

To learn more about RBIL, visit our webpage at: https://www.cedausa.com/ruralinnovation/

Contacts:
Cameron Payne, Entrepreneurial Programs Manager
 – Email: cameron.payne@cedausa.com
– Phone: 304-941-6006

Joshua Schuetz, Entrepreneurial Programs Specialist
– Email: joshua.schuetz@cedausa.com
– Phone: 507-841-2139