Cassie Carlson moved and expanded her coffee shop this year thanks to help from our Microenterprise Loan Program. Cassie opened The Coffee Corner in March 2021 inside another business — Sieverson’s Pharmacy in Hendricks. In July 2022, she expanded for the first time, opening a consignment shop in her space at the pharmacy. But there still wasn’t space for everything she wanted to do. Then earlier this year, the opportunity arose to purchase a former bank building next door to her location, and Cassie jumped at the chance to have room to bring to life more of her original business plan.
News Releases
Apply for the Minnesota Multi-Purpose Community Facility Projects Grant
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is now accepting applications for the Minnesota Multi-Purpose Community Facility Projects Grant to Support Community Revitalization, Connectedness and Equity by Promoting Education, Work and Health. The federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 appropriated $10 billion to the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) to provide payments to states, territories, freely associated states, and Tribal Governments to carry out critical capital projects directly enabling work, education, and healthcare monitoring in response to the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic public health emergency.
Back to My Roots
Back to My Roots hair salon had its grand opening this weekend at 337 Main Street North in Renville. Entrepreneur Kirsten Bjorklund opened the business with help from the Southwest Initiative Foundation’s Microenterprise Loan Program. A licensed cosmetologist, she offers haircuts, colors, manicures, pedicures, massages and waxing. As her business name suggests, it’s a homecoming of sorts for Bjorklund. Growing up on a farm south of Sacred Heart, she attended and graduated from Renville County West High School, then went on to the cosmetology program at Ridgewater College.
Prairie Support Services
Jessica Schoborg is now the sole owner of local small business Prairie Support Services in Walnut Grove thanks to help from the Southwest Initiative Foundation’s Microenterprise Loan Program. Jessica has worked for Prairie Support Services for the past 5 years. When the opportunity arose to purchase the business, she decided to buy it because she wanted to keep it in the community. Plans are under way to relocate the business to 422 First Avenue in Westbrook this December.
Promise Loan Program funding available
Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) has funding available for local economic development projects through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) Promise Loan Program. The Promise Loan Program makes loans to businesses, nonprofits and developers in communities that have been adversely affected by structural racial discrimination, civil unrest, lack of access to capital, a loss of population or an aging population, or a lack of regional economic diversification.
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.
