South Central

Name: Robert Harris
Price range: $$

Mapleton, MN

Mapleton – Minnesota

Mapleton is a city in Blue Earth County, Minnesota.

County: Blue Earth
Region: South Central
Zip Code: 56065
City Website

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Robert Harris

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Mapleton, MN

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Robert joined the CEDA team in 2019 (and rejoined in 2021). He is a graduate of Carleton College and holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a specialty in development and conservation. As an undergrad, Robert was the co-founder and director of Heart of the Heartland, a workforce development initiative focused on agriculture in southern Minnesota.

Prior to joining CEDA, Robert worked for the largest regional chamber of commerce in MN as the Public Policy and Employer Engagement Manager. In this role, he extensively engaged stakeholders from the private, public and nonprofit sectors to advance priorities related to transportation, housing and workforce development in the metro region.

Robert’s goal is to bring a holistic and creative lens to community and economic development.

Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) announces
the promotion of Robert Harris III to Director of Strategic Initiatives. Mr. Harris III will continue in his community work serving the community of Mapleton,
Minnesota as well as serving as part of the CEDA Government Relations Department. He will also continue to work closely in the CEDA Entrepreneurial effort called RBIL – the
Rural Business Innovation Lab. His duties will also include working closely with external
partners to move forward a range of strategic initiatives.

Sibley County, MN

Sibley County – Minnesota

Sibley County is located in south central Minnesota.

Gaylord (county seat)
Arlington
Gibbon
Green Isle
Henderson
Le Sueur (mostly)
New Auburn
Winthrop

County website

Lake Crystal, MN

Lake Crystal – Minnesota

Lake Crystal is a city in Blue Earth County.

There are four lakes near the city. Crystal Lake, Lily Lake, Mills Lake, and Loon Lake. Crystal Lake is the largest and sits in the center of town providing access to a fishing pier, public landings, and warm and cold water sports.

County: Blue Earth
Region: South Central MN
Zip Code: 56055
City Website

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Bryan Stading

Regional Director

Lake Crystal, MN

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Bryan joined the CEDA team in August 2022. Bryan comes to us with years of experience with the Regional Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation.

Civil Mediation Services
CEDA team member Bryan Stading is “Qualified and Rostered” with the Minnesota State Court Administrator’s office as a Civil Mediator, also known as a “neutral.” His experience is in business/commercial and general civil resolutions.
There has been an increase of this type of service, and if you are in need of this type of service, contact us.
This service will not be part of a typical CEDA community support services contract but will be a separate stand alone contract
with multiple parties that could include a city, county, organization or business.

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Amber Patten

Community & Business Development Specialist

Amber joined CEDA in November of 2022 as an Economic & Business Development Specialist for Martin County, Faribault County, and Madelia Public Schools. Amber has worked as an Office Administrator for a Minnesota based power agency. She is involved as a community member, volunteering her time with various organizations. Amber enjoys working with people and communities in rural areas to help develop and sustain the current and future generations. Amber is married to her husband Zac and has two children. In her free time, Amber enjoys watching her children’s activities, watching sports, and hanging out with family and friends.

Jackson, MN

Jackson – Minnesota

The City of Jackson is located in southwestern Minnesota at the intersection of Interstate 90 and U.S. Hwy. 71

Nestled in a valley of the West Fork of the Des Moines River. Jackson is the largest city and the county seat of Jackson County. A historic downtown district features a variety of strong retail and service-based businesses.

County: Jackson
Region: Southwest MN
Zip Code: 56143
City Website
Chamber Website

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Dave Schmidt

Community & Business Development Specialist

Jackson, MN

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Dave Schmidt joined CEDA in April 2021 as the Administrative Assistant in the Jackson, Minn., office. Prior to CEDA, Dave was the news director at the local radio station and has over 20 years of experience in purchasing, inventory and logistics management.
Growing up in a small town in north central Iowa, Dave has always enjoyed the perks of small town life. He is very active in the community and serves on the Boards for the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, Jackson Community Foundation and Friends of the Jackson County Libraries.

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Shelley Pohlman

Community and Business Development Specialist

Jackson, MN

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Dawson, MN

Dawson – Minnesota

Dawson is located on the prairies of west central Minnesota.

A progressive community that excels with excellent school and health care systems, promotion of new industry and the support of existing businesses.

County: Lac qui Parle
Region: Southwest MN
Zip Code: 56232
City Website

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Joe Maffit

Community & Business Development Specialist

Joe joined the CEDA team in October 2022 as a Community and Business Development Specialist for the cities of Benson, Dawson, and Murdock. He holds a Masters of Public Administration Degree from the University of South Dakota and a Bachelor of Arts from Morningside University. Prior to joining CEDA, he worked as the Organizational Evaluator for an intergovernmental collaborative serving Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, and Yellow Medicine Counties in Minnesota. Before coming to Minnesota, he served Western Iowa’s largest substance use treatment provider and with the Homeland Security Institute as an Associate Analyst. He brings experience from the federal, state, and county levels of government along with a passion for listening to different perspectives and building partnerships. Joe hails from Sergeant Bluff, IA. He looks forward to serving his communities and being part of CEDA.