Kristine (Kris) Shelstad of Madison saw the need for a multipurpose space in her community. She was chosen as a 2022-2023 Initiators Fellow, which provided her with funding and technical assistance to bring her social enterprise to life. The Madison Mercantile, known locally as “The Merc,” now houses a coffee shop, stage for live music, multiple business offices, space for community meetings and gatherings, youth hang out space, woodworking shop and more.
Archives for 2023
Marissa Brown, Lamberton
Marissa Brown of Lamberton recently graduated from the first Growing Local: Emerging Leaders cohort. Marissa is inspired by the creativity, kindness and camaraderie of her neighbors; she applied to the program to develop her leadership skills to help her community thrive.
Connecting Dreams
Southwest Minnesota is a place of opportunity. Our communities, large and small, are full of dreamers and doers who make our towns stronger and better places to live. At Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF), we’ve been supporting our region’s dreamers for nearly 40 years. Investment, partnership and support from our donors and partners is critical for us to provide the capital, engagement and resources that our amazing communities throughout the region need to achieve their dreams.
Clarkfield Area Community Foundation
The Clarkfield Area Community Foundation is supported by generous donors who care about Clarkfield. Since 2010, CACF has granted nearly $150,000 to support community projects and initiatives in Clarkfield and the surrounding area, and they will be granting an additional $15,000 before the end of 2023.
Entrepreneur fuels community in Watson
A larger-than-life heifer wearing a red handkerchief tied around her ears, tongue in mid-lick, is stamped on the vehicles parked across from Sunshine & Whiskey Filling Station. It’s hard to miss the promotion for Salty Heifer’s Off Sale, attached to the filling station. Autumn Lee owns both businesses, and she’s a standout in her own right.
Welcoming Week in Kerkhoven
At Welcoming Week in Kerkhoven, a community resource fair featured more than 50 nonprofits, businesses and organizations representing the surrounding Swift County area – from the LifeLink helicopter to local 4-H members. There were prizes, bounce houses and lots of friendly faces, with about 450 people filling the small town’s park.
