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CEDA

CEDA

Community Economic Development Associates

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Northeast

Itasca County, MN

Itasca County MN Economic Development

Itasca County – Minnesota

Itasca County is located in northeast Minnesota.

  • Grand Rapids (county seat)
  • Bigfork
  • Bovey
  • Calumet
  • Cohasset
  • Coleraine
  • Deer River
  • Effie
  • Keewatin
  • La Prairie
  • Marble
  • Nashwauk
  • Squaw Lake
  • Taconite
  • Warba
  • Zemple
  • County Website
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Sarah Carling

Sarah Carling

Northeast Regional Director
Itasca County, MN
Email Sarah

Sarah Carling joined CEDA in April 2019. Sarah has a diverse work history (summer camps, parks and recreation, warehouse management, HR, and technical writing) all of which allow her to understand and communicate with diverse industries, management levels and city officials. Sarah graduated from MSU-Mankato in 2007 with a degree in Recreation, Parks & Leisure Services with an emphasis in Leisure Planning and Management.

Her main passions are centered around community based support, through removing obstacles and creating an environment that is attractive to all who live, work and visit the community. Sarah is thrilled to be able to support rural communities through her position with CEDA.

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Lisa Randall

Lisa Randall

Community & Business Development Specialist
Northome, MN
Itasca County
Hill City, MN
Email Lisa

Lisa joined the CEDA team in February 2023, bringing with her 30+ years of diverse experience that includes nonprofit, grant writing, volunteer coordination, program development, township government, small business development and ownership, sales, recruitment, training, professional speaking, and nonpartisan legislative experience. Having lived in Itasca County all but just a handful of her years, she’s passionate about developing vibrant rural communities in and near her hometown. Being the wife and family member of several combat-era Veterans, she’s well versed in Veteran related issues. Colleagues have described Lisa as, “trustworthy, engaging and a pleasure to work with.”
Lisa is a Gallup-certified Clifton StrengthsFinder Facilitator and is an alumni of the Blandin Foundation Community Leadership Program and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation LeaderImpact Program. Lisa holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Office Management from Alexandria Technical College where she was the recipient of the "Outstanding Student” award as selected by faculty.
Lisa lives with her husband Mike near Grand Rapids, MN in the home built by Mike’s great-grandparents on the Mississippi River, just down the road from her childhood home. She enjoys time with family, outdoor activities, motorcycling, boating, watching sports, traveling, outdoor photography and concerts.

Howard County, IA

Howard County Iowa Economic Development

Howard County – Iowa

Howard County is located in northeast Iowa.

  • Cresco (county seat)
  • Chester
  • Elma
  • Lime Springs
  • Protivin
  • Riceville
  • Population: 9,264
  • HCBT Website
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Spiff Slifka

Spiff Slifka

Community & Business Development Specialist
Howard County Business and Tourism
LeRoy, MN
Email Spiff

Spiff Slifka joined CEDA in 2010 working with Howard County Business & Tourism as the Development Coordinator and Howard County Tourism Director. Before joining CEDA, Spiff worked with Howard County Economic Development starting in 2008. Prior to her work in economic development, Spiff was a manager and marketing specialist in the retail sector. Spiff has worked on many economic development projects such as Enterprise Zone, the Job and Mobility Institute (a national organization) as well as with new and existing businesses. Along with economic development, Spiff is an ardent proponent of tourism on a local and regional level through her affiliation with the Northeast Iowa Tourism Association and the Eastern Iowa Tourism Association.

Spiff is originally from Bottineau, North Dakota, and holds a Liberal Arts degree from North Dakota State University-Bottineau Branch and has continued her education at North Dakota State University-Fargo and San Diego State University.

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Jason Passmore

Jason Passmore

Vice President of Iowa Operations
Howard County Business and Tourism
Email Jason

Jason Passmore joined CEDA in 2010 working with Howard County Business & Tourism as its Executive Director. Prior to joining CEDA, Jason managed economic development organizations, community development offices and worked in the fields of project management & engineering, association management and city administration & zoning. Jason brings a vast array of knowledge within the economic development field in working with State and Federal agencies, City and County government and various regional partnerships. Jason’s expertise serve Howard County Business & Tourism well as the organization collaborates and unites together the county-wide Economic Development Commission, the Cresco Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cresco Industrial Development Commission and the County Tourism department.

Jason is originally from the Madison, WI area and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from the University of Iowa.

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Missy Hvitved

Missy Hvitved

Community & Business Development Specialist
Howard County Business and Tourism
Email Missy

Missy became a member of the CEDA team in February 2022 as a Community & Business Development Specialist. She is originally from Boone, Iowa, and a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration. Missy worked for a national non-profit organization before transitioning to a local community college for nearly 14 years.

Missy serves Howard County Business & Tourism. This organization collaborates and unites together the county-wide Economic Development Commission, Cresco Area Chamber of Commerce, Cresco Industrial Development Commission, and county tourism.

She has a passion for serving her community and sharing with others why Howard County is a great place to live, work, and play!

CEDA

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