Happy Halal Meats is a unique family business that processes halal goat, lamb, and chicken in Willmar. Becky and Greg Wierschke started the company after discovering the need for locally processed goat and lamb. A PROMISE Loan through Southwest Initiative Foundation helped them open the doors of their new facility.
Economic Development
From Passion to Plate: Well Made Meal Prep
Fueled by the real-life challenge of balancing busy lives and providing their family with homemade, nutritious food, Shay and Raven All Runner launched a meal prep service with a bold mission: to inspire change by making healthy eating accessible for everyone, one meal at a time.
Loan Client Holly’s Aesthetics and Spa in Montevideo
After two years of dedication, hard work, and planning, Holly Schwendemann has opened the doors to Holly’s Aesthetics and Spa in her hometown. Born from a lifelong passion for skincare and self-care, this new space is more than just a business; it’s the culmination of a dream built with love, persistence, and a whole lot of paint.
Loan Client Smokey Dukes in Hutchinson
Our loan client Smokey Dukes is a new family-owned and operated snack food business in Hutchinson. Brother and sister duo Lance Walter and Mari Wildt co-founded the company, which sells smoked, seasoned pretzels.
Introducing Southwest Minnesota Community Capital
Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) has formed a new subsidiary called Southwest Minnesota Community Capital with the goal of achieving certification as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Pursuing CDFI certification marks a bold step forward in realizing our vision of a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive. This transformational initiative will deepen our impact and strengthen our role in advancing economic mobility for our region.
Loan client Town N’ Country Appliance, Inc.
Brent and Megan Bramstedts’ first loan with Southwest Initiative Foundation was 15 years ago when they needed help paying off debt. They said the loan was a “lifesaver” for their business. Since then, they have paid off that loan and taken out two additional loans. The most recent loan helped them purchase a new service truck, since servicing appliances makes up a large portion of their business.
