Welcome to new board members Eriann Faris and Valerie Halvorson! Eriann serves as the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Project Coordinator at Southwest West Central Service Cooperative. Valerie works as the City Manager for the City of Madison. Their expertise, experience, and perspectives will bring tremendous value as we enter our 40th anniversary year in 2026 and as we embark on the next chapter of our organization.
Stories
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.
Southwest Minnesota Child Care Listening Sessions Draft Two Summary Report
Building on the insights gathered during our initial child care listening sessions, Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) hosted a second round of conversations this year focused on the updated draft of Minnesota’s child care licensing standards.
Southwest Initiative Foundation receives CoBank Rural Prosperity Grant
Southwest Initiative Foundation is one of eight national recipients of CoBank’s new Rural Prosperity Grant Program. The program is designed to foster sustainable rural development and enhance regional collaboration by providing grant funding to designated rural development hubs. In its inaugural year, CoBank has awarded $1.5 million in total unrestricted grants to organizations selected to serve as catalysts for positive change within their regions.
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.
