Patricia Dols is retiring from the Southwest Initiative Foundation Board of Directors following 11 years of service. During her term, she Dols brought her wisdom and leadership to the board starting in 2013, taking on many key roles. In honor of her service, Patricia is directing a $1,100 grant from SWIF to support the Willmar Early Childhood Initiative at Willmar Public Schools.
News Releases
6th Street Logistics
Willmar-based trucking outfit 6th Street Logistics is expanding with help from our Microenterprise Loan Program. The company is owned by Krista and Chris Nehk. Founded in 2021 with one semi, the company now has a fleet of trucks hauling a variety of freight from live birds to refrigerated goods. They have routes locally, within the Midwest and down to Texas.
Johanna Markgraf joins foundation staff
Johanna Markgraf of Buffalo Lake has joined Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) staff as development and operations assistant. In this newly created role, Johanna will support resource development and regional fundraising initiatives. Johanna earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Minnesota-Twin and started her career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture before joining the finance industry. Her strong financial background positions Johanna well to support SWIF’s fundraising efforts.
Blush & Bliss Med Spa
Maisie Hagert has opened Blush & Bliss Med Spa in Redwood Falls with help from our Microenterprise Loan Program. This beauty and wellness destination offers a wide range of medically guided cosmetic treatments and procedures, also known as medical aesthetics. Maisie’s interest in entrepreneurship started young, influenced by her parents’ successful businesses. The growing medical spa industry presented a unique opportunity for Maisie to merge her passion for business ownership with her nursing expertise, knowledge and compassion.
Flood relief funds opened at Southwest Initiative Foundation
To address needs resulting from severe flooding in southwest Minnesota, Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) has established the Windom Flood Relief Fund in partnership with its community affiliate, the Windom Area Foundation, the Jackson Flood Relief Fund in partnership its community affiliate, the Jackson Area Community Foundation, and the Southwest Minnesota Flood Relief Fund. These emergency funds will help those affected by the high water with financial assistance related to long-term recovery in Windom, Jackson and the foundation’s southwest Minnesota region. Individuals who want to contribute to these relief efforts can give in several ways, and donations to the fund are tax deductible.
Tortilleria El Maná opens in Worthington
Fresh tortillas are now available in Worthington thanks to Maynor Lopez. He recently opened Tortilleria El Maná on Oxford Street with help from Southwest Initiative Foundation’s Business Finance Loan Program. A tortilleria is essentially a tortilla bakery. Tortillerias are common in Mexico and Central America and usually sell corn tortillas by weight. While Maynor is new to business ownership, he has plenty of experience making tortillas in his home country of Guatemala. Now he makes 80 pounds of them every day at Tortilleria El Maná.