Tyler DeCesare opened Functional Nutrition in December with help from Southwest Initiative Foundation’s Microenterprise Loan Program. The new small business on Luverne’s Main Street is a one-stop shop for vitamins, supplements, sports nutrition, protein shakes, ready-to-eat fit meals and smoothie bowls.
Economic Development
Pink Apron Bakery
MacKenzie Dohmann opened the doors to Pink Apron Bakery in November, just in time for the sweet season of holiday treats. Southwest Initiative Foundation’s Microenterprise Loan Program provided working capital for the startup, which specializes in breads, bagels and unique cookies and confections.
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.
Beaver Creek Boarding
Beaver Creek Boarding hosted a ribbon cutting in October to celebrate one year of operating the new kennel, located just south of Olivia and owned by Katy Holland and Joshua Honzay. Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program and DEED’s Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program helped the entrepreneurs launch their business.
In Bird Island, supporting community-led solutions to the child care crisis
Founded in 1999, the nonprofit Learning Funhouse child care center serves families from all over Renville County. Southwest Initiative Foundation supports community planning, public policy, project investment and technical assistance, public relations and appreciation, and professional development for child care in southwest Minnesota.
Auto Nation
Ruben and Wendi Valdez have opened Auto Nation repair shop in Redwood Falls with help from Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program and DEED’s Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program. The new business is located one block off Minnesota Highway 71 along Redwood Falls Airport Road.