Region

Name: Kurt Meister
Price range: $$

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 and 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

Email Jayme

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!

Howard County, IA

Howard County – Iowa

Howard County is located in northeast Iowa.

Cresco (county seat)
Chester
Elma
Lime Springs
Protivin
Riceville

Howard County Business & Tourism
Howard County

Spiff Slifka

Community and Business Development Specialist

Howard County Business and Tourism, IA

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.

Jason Passmore

Vice President

Iowa Community Support Program

Howard County Business and Tourism, IA

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.

St. Charles, MN

St. Charles – Minnesota

St. Charles is located 20 miles east of Rochester and 20 miles west of Winona.

St. Charles offers big city conveniences with the advantages of small-town living. Best known for being the Gateway to the Whitewater Valley.

County: Winona
Region: Southeast MN
Zip Code: 55972
City Website

Lorena Reichert

Community and 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.

Fillmore County, MN

Fillmore County – Minnesota

Fillmore County is located in southeastern Minnesota.

Preston (county seat)
Canton
Chatfield (part)
Fountain
Harmony
Lanesboro
Mabel
Ostrander
Peterson
Rushford
Rushford Village
Spring Valley
Whalan
Wykoff

County Website

Allison Whalen

Community and Business Development Specialist

Fillmore County, MN

Email Allison

Allison began her journey with CEDA as a Community and Business Development Specialist in October of 2023. As a lifelong resident of a small rural town and the daughter of a small business owner and entrepreneur, she spent her formative years working at her family's businesses. Here, she developed the soft skills required for successful interactions and leadership, and discovered her passion for marketing, branding, and communication.

Allison recognizes the value of community service, and the critical role small businesses play in the vitality of rural communities. She continues to advocate for and support rural small-town growth and sustainability, bringing her passion for economic development and strategic marketing to every project she undertakes.