Twelve communities across southwest Minnesota are wrapping up final details for their Welcoming Week celebrations. The Swift County Area will kick things off with a party in the park on September 8, with the rest of the celebrations in the region happening through early October. Welcoming Week events are free and open to the public. You’re encouraged to invite friends and family to attend an event happening near you!
Archives for August 2024
Kathy Wehking completes 6 years of board service with Southwest Initiative Foundation
Kathy Wehking is retiring from our board of directors following 6 years of service. Kathy started her term in 2018, drawing from her experience as an educator, community leader and farmer. During her service, SWIF accelerated its investments to support access to quality, affordable child care; launched Welcoming Week and the Growing Local: Emerging Leaders program; and leveraged connections and expertise to ensure relief and recovery funding flowed into the region’s businesses and communities.
Sunny & Sprout
Sunny & Sprout children’s boutique celebrated its grand opening this summer in Worthington. Shay VonHoltum and Alex LeBrun opened the new shop with help from our Microenterprise Loan Program. Sunny & Sprout is located at 922 5th Avenue in Worthington’s downtown and offers clothing for kids from size 2T to youth XL. Shay has had a passion for fashion and the retail industry as far back as she can remember. Her years of experience working in retail combined with becoming a mom herself inspired Shay to pursue entrepreneurship.
Grant Spotlight: MACCRAY 2180 Foundation supports academic and extracurricular activities for students
The new school year is off to a strong start at MACCRAY School District thanks in part to grants from its local education foundation. The district serves 758 students from the communities of Maynard, Clara City and Raymond. The MACCRAY 2180 Foundation is a resource for teachers, coaches and other staff, who can submit grant requests each year to the foundation’s volunteer advisory board members.
Abdirizak Mahboub completes 6 years of board service with Southwest Initiative Foundation
Abdirizak Mahboub is retiring from the Southwest Initiative Foundation Board of Directors following just over 6 years of service. Zack joined the board in 2018, stepping in to complete several months of an open term, then staying on. His interest in helping families and youth build safe, successful neighborhoods and lives shaped his decision to serve.
Cool things made in southwest Minnesota
Minnesota companies have a long history of innovation, creating some of the “coolest” products to fuel our economy. This year, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is launching a competition to highlight this innovation. In the spirit of the contest, we wanted to share some of the coolest items manufactured in southwest Minnesota by Southwest Initiative Foundation’s current and former loan clients. This is definitely not an exhaustive list of the innovations created in our region or even by our loan clients, but it’s a fun sampling of some that are truly unique!
