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Name: Sarah Safstrom
Price range: $$

Lester Prairie, MN

Lester Prairie – Minnesota

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.

County: McLeod
Zip Code: 55354
Region: Central MN
City Website

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Sarah Safstrom

Community and Business Development Specialist

Nobles County, MN

Lester Prairie, MN

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Sarah is a Community and Business Development Specialist with CEDA. Prior to joining CEDA, Sarah dedicated more than 20 years to working and volunteering with healthcare, government, and civic organizations throughout Lancaster County, Nebraska. She is passionate about rural communities and takes great pride in supporting their growth and resilience. Sarah holds two master's degrees—one in Public Health and another in Healthcare Administration. With her diverse background and strong sense of purpose, Sarah is committed to strengthening community connections and helping rural areas thrive.

Originally from a small rural community in Nebraska, she spent many years living and working in Lincoln before moving to Minnesota.

Plainview, MN

Plainview – Minnesota

Plainview is located about 27 miles northeast of Rochester.

The city was named from its location on a plain at a lofty elevation, where a “plain view” can be had of the surrounding area.

County: Wabasha
Region: Southeast MN
Zip Code: 55964
City Website

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Trisha Hess

Community and Business Development Specialist

Trisha joined CEDA as a Community and Business Development Specialist in 2025. Bringing experience in project management, she knows how to collaborate with multiple stakeholders to get a project done. Her background also includes Healthcare, Information Technology, Manufacturing, and Administrative Support. Prior to working at CEDA, Trisha worked in Strategic Planning at Bridgestone America and IT and Project Management at Mayo Clinic. Trisha grew up in a small town in Southeastern Minnesota and still resides in the area today with her husband.

Oronoco, MN

Oronoco – Minnesota

Oronoco is located about 11 miles north of Rochester.

The town sits along the Middle Fork of the Zumbro River.

County: Olmsted
Region: Southeast MN
Zip Code: 55960
City Website

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Kurt Meister

Community & Business Development Specialist

Kurt became a member of the CEDA team in July of 2022. As a graduate of South Dakota State University in Brookings (Go Jackrabbits!!) with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and a Masters Degree from the University of Minnesota, Kurt taught AP and regular Human Geography at John Marshall High School in Rochester for 23 years.

Kurt grew up in the community of Hamilton, Illinois and is passionate in helping small communities succeed. His father was a 3rd generation small business owner (Meister Music - Keokuk, IA) which will aid Kurt as he helps the community of Zumbrota in its growth.

Hill City, MN

Hill City – Minnesota

The Hill City is along the shores of Hill Lake and U.S. Highway 169 and State Highway 200.

County: Aitkin
Region: North Central
Zip Code: 55748
City Website

Murdock, MN

Murdock – Minnesota

Murdock is a rural town in Swift County.

County: Swift
Region: West Central
Zip Code: 56271
City Website

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Laura Mitteness

Community and Business Development Specialist

Benson, MN

Murdock, MN

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Laura joined the CEDA team in October 2023 as a Community and Business Development Specialist in the Cities of Benson and Murdock. She graduated from Mayville State University with a degree in Mathematics Education and decided after a decade of teaching to make a change. She grew up in a small town of Ada, MN in the Red River Valley where small-town development is key to the town’s survival. This knowledge and strong connection to her small town drives her passion for development in the communities she serves. She is excited to build strong relationships within her communities and help them thrive!

Laura lives outside of Benson with her husband and two young girls. If she is not watching some new show or movie on TV, she is playing with her kids outside or helping her husband with the cattle on his family farm.