Region

Name: Hillary Tweed
Price range: $$

Benson, MN

Benson – Minnesota

Benson is located about 130 miles west of the Twin Cities.

Benson is located along the Chippewa River and is the county seat for Swift County.

County: Swift
Region: Central MN
Zip Code: 56215
City Website
Chamber Website

Hillary Tweed

Vice President

Minnesota Community Support Program

Benson, MN

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Hillary Tweed is the Vice President of the MN Community Support Program at CEDA, bringing over a decade of experience in the field. With a strong foundation in business administration and accounting, Hillary has successfully led various initiatives that promote economic growth and community prosperity. Her commitment to economic development is deeply rooted in her upbringing in a small town, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities faced by rural communities. Holding a Bachelor's in Business Administration, Hillary is driven by a philosophy of collaboration and innovation, believing in the importance of partnerships to create resilient communities.

Outside of work, she is actively involved in community service and enjoys quilting, reading, and traveling.

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.

Itasca County, MN

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

Amanda Lamppa

Community and Business Development Specialist

Itasca County

Northern Minnesota

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Steeped in Itasca County, where she was born and raised, Amanda champions local improvements and gets to fill her cup by being a catalyst for enriching our communities. She is passionate about streamlining processes and taking the anxiety out of change while always being cost effective and calculating in her approach.

Amanda enjoys giving back to her community through volunteering on local boards and is a past board president for MacRostie Art Center. When Amanda is not refining her creativity, she will most likely be at a ballfield or arena somewhere with her husband Justin watching their two boys, who are very much involved in local sports.

Amanda graduated from Itasca Community College and the University of Minnesota Duluth, obtaining a bachelor's degree in psychology. Following her passion for rural initiatives and building strong communities, she held executive positions at two local non-profits.

Lisa Randall

Community and Business Development Specialist

Itasca County

Northern Minnesota

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Tracy Hensley

Community and Business Development Specialist

Itasca County

Northern MN

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Originally from Duluth, Tracy attended the University of Denver where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology before going on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota. She worked as a mortician for a number of years before choosing to become an educator. After receiving her Master's in the Art of Teaching from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Tracy taught middle and high school science for 17 years. After moving back to Minnesota, Tracy retired from teaching and joined the CEDA team in February 2025.

When Tracy is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and her 4 dogs.

Houston County, MN

Houston County – Minnesota

Houston County is located in southeastern Minnesota.

Caledonia (county seat)
Brownsville
Eitzen
Hokah
Houston
La Crescent
Spring Grove

County Website

Allison Wagner

Vice President

Strategic Initiatives

Houston County, MN

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Allison Wagner joined CEDA in 2018. She has over a decade of experience working in both economic development and public administration. Allison grew up on a small dairy farm in Southeast Minnesota. Her background also includes marketing, advertising, grant writing, retail, and fashion buying. Prior to working for CEDA, Allison worked as the assistant clerk-administrator and economic development coordinator in her hometown of Caledonia, Minnesota.

Lorena Reichert

Community & Business Development Specialist

Lorena Reichert received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of South Dakota. Lorena has almost ten years of government experience, serving as an analyst with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission and as a business project manager with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. At CEDA, Lorena is an economic development specialist for the Minnesota cities of St. Charles, Harmony, and Houston County.

Katrina Hurley

Community and Business Development Specialist

Katrina Hurley joined CEDA in 2025 as a Community and Business Development Specialist. She brings nearly a decade of experience in community development, public engagement, and strategic project management across Nebraska. With a professional background rooted in early childhood education, Katrina is passionate about strengthening systems that support children, families, and the communities they call home. She holds a bachelor's degree in History and Legal Studies from Chadron State College and is driven by a commitment to local leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and inclusive growth. With a deep appreciation for the vibrancy of rural communities, Katrina is passionate about helping them thrive through collaborative planning, thoughtful outreach, and strategic support for local businesses. She lives in Winona, MN and enjoys hiking, visiting local coffee shops, and exploring rural Minnesota.

Dodge County, MN

Dodge County – Minnesota

Dodge County is located in southeastern Minnesota.

Mantorville (county seat)
Blooming Prairie (part)
Claremont
Dodge Center
Hayfield
Kasson
West Concord

County Website

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.

Spring Grove, MN

Spring Grove – Minnesota

Spring Grove is located about 32 miles southwest of La Crosse, WI.

Spring Grove is projected to grow over the next ten years.

County: Houston
Region: Southeast MN
Zip Code: 55974
City Website

Watch the 2020 Regional Development Tour Video of Spring Grove

Jayme Longmire

Community and Business Development Specialist

Rushford Village, MN

Spring Grove, MN

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Jayme grew up in Holmen, WI (go Pack!) and attended the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education. After living and working in Austin, TX for almost seven years, Jayme and her husband Patrick moved back to the midwest in 2017 to Spring Grove, MN, where Patrick grew up and his family owned and operated the local grocery store. There, Jayme and Patrick both became novice entrepreneurs, starting and operating retail and food service companies; one of which turned into Fat Pat's Brewery, of which Jayme is an owner.

Business development and management, marketing, and community support and communication is what Jayme has become passionate about over the years. She is looking forward to helping Spring Grove develop further and prosper for years to come!