Community Economic Development Associates
Truman is a community of 1,100 that lies twenty miles to the north of the Iowa border in south central Minnesota
Founded when the railroad came through the area in 1899.
Parkers Prairie is located about 20 miles north of I-94 at the Alexandria exit in West Central Minnesota.
Parkers Prairie was founded as early as 1868 with a General Store on the shores of Lake Adley and incorporated in 1903.
Minnesota Highways 13 and 30 are two of the main routes in the city.
New Richland owes it origins to the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad which reached the area in 1877 and the Norwegian settlers who were attracted to the rich farmland of Waseca County.
Nestled at the crossroads of U.S. Highway 2 and State Highway 73, Floodwood is a charming small city located just 45 miles west of Duluth.
The city calls itself “The Catfish Capital of the World”, a nickname it gave itself following the introduction of its annual Catfish Days festival.
Jessica joined the CEDA team in April of 2024. Her degree is in business and she has owned and operated a small business of her own. She also has experience in real estate, program development and management, fundraising, event planning and working with volunteers. Growing up and currently living just outside of a small community, she understands the needs and challenges they face. She is excited and passionate about bringing people together for a common goal and utilizing everyone’s skills and talents to accomplish big things. Her hobbies include gardening, barn quilt painting, and spending time with family.
Shaun joined CEDA in October 2025 as a Community and Business Development Specialist. Prior to CEDA, Shaun's work experience includes answering over 42,000 constituent calls during his time in the Consumer Division of the Minnesota Attorney General's Office, valuing over 13,000 properties a year as an assessor for Saint Louis County, and helping to raise $3.9 million for area producers and growers while serving as the technical assistance provider for the USDA Regional Food Business Center.
Shaun is a graduate of University of Minnesota, Morris with a BA in International Relations and Comparative Politics and minor in economics. He has participated in Gamaliel Foundation's community organizing training and the Leading Economic Transformation program through University of Minnesota Extension and is trained in the TOPs strategic planning method. Shaun currently sits on the board of directors for the Iron Range Economic Alliance (IREA) and Discover the Range.
When he's not working or building his house, Shaun enjoys hiking, climbing, and horseback riding.
Lester Prairie had its beginnings when the Great Northern Railroad built its line in December of 1886.
The City of Lester Prairie was founded in 1886 and named in honor of Mrs. Maria Lester and her family who settled here. Prairie for the little prairie on which is was situated, surrounded by heavily wooded land.
