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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260616T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260616T130000
DTSTAMP:20260616T174313Z
CREATED:20260519T140359Z
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SUMMARY:Creative Economic Development Summer Workshop Series: Workshop 1
DESCRIPTION:Strengthening rural economies through creativity and connection\n\n\n\nThe Creative Economic Development Summer Workshop Series is a three-part learning experience designed for economic development professionals\, chamber leaders\, tourism staff\, and community champions across Southwest Minnesota. \n\n\n\nParticipants will leave with practical tools\, rural-focused examples\, and an action plan and resources for designing and implementing a creative economic development project in their own community.  \n\n\n\nRegistration for this series is closed. Keep an eye on our events calendar and news page to learn about future opportunities.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin a cohort of Southwest Minnesota community leaders for a combination of virtual sessions and an in-person workshop exploring how arts-based\, asset-based\, and community-driven strategies can: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nActivate underutilized spaces and downtowns\n\n\n\nSupport local businesses and entrepreneurs\n\n\n\nAttract and retain residents\n\n\n\nIncrease community engagement and participation\n\n\n\nStrengthen creative capital and a vibrant arts and culture ecosystem\n\n\n\nBuild stronger\, more resilient local economies\n\n\n\nEnhance community health and strengthen quality life\n\n\n\n\nThe Creative Economic Development Workshop Series is offered by Department of Public Transformation\, in partnership with Southwest Minnesota Initiative Foundation. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSeries Overview:\n\n\n\nWorkshop 1 (Virtual)\n\n\n\n\nIntroduction to Creative Economic DevelopmentExplore the foundations of creative economic development\, including arts-based and asset-based approaches\, the role of arts and culture in local economies\, and strategies for increasing community engagement and quality of life.\n\n\n\nTuesday\, June 16 | 12 – 1 PM CT\n\n\n\n\nWorkshop 2 (In-Person Deep Dive)\n\n\n\n\nFrom Ideas to Action: Designing Creative Economic Development ProjectsDive deeper into creative strategies for economic development through hands-on exercises\, examples\, and peer learning. Participants will begin developing a creative economic development project or initiative tailored to their community. Participants will conclude the workshop with conversation and networking at Bluenose Gopher Public House.\n\n\n\nWednesday\, July 22 | 11 AM – 4:30 PM CTAt The YES! House\, 726 Prentice Street\, Granite Falls\, MN (Lunch provided)\n\n\n\n\nWorkshop 3 (Virtual)\n\n\n\n\nRefining and Sustaining Your WorkReconnect with peers to reflect on progress\, strengthen your project plan\, and explore strategies for sustaining and resourcing your work moving forward.\n\n\n\nTuesday\, August 18 | 12 – 1 PM CT\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWho Should Attend:\n\n\n\n\nEconomic Development Professionals\n\n\n\nChamber of Commerce Leaders\n\n\n\nTourism / CVB Staff\n\n\n\nCity & County Staff\n\n\n\nNonprofit and Community Development Professionals\n\n\n\nCommunity Development Champions (Elected Officials\, Volunteers\, Board Members) \n\n\n\n\nThis workshop series is open to folks working in small towns and rural communities across the 18-county Southwest Minnesota Initiative Foundation region. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Gain:\n\n\n\n\nA deeper understanding of creative economic development strategies\n\n\n\nTools for activating spaces and engaging community members\n\n\n\nExamples from rural communities doing this work successfully\n\n\n\nA peer network of fellow community leaders\n\n\n\nAn action plan for a project in your community\n\n\n\nOptional 1:1 coaching support with DoPT staff\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPlease reach out to vivian@publictransformation.org with any questions. 
URL:https://swifoundation.org/event/creative-economic-development-summer-workshop-series-2/
LOCATION:Virtual
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260619T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260619T235959
DTSTAMP:20260601T185712Z
CREATED:20260601T185709Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260601T185712Z
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SUMMARY:2026 Juneteenth Holiday
DESCRIPTION:Southwest Initiative Foundation’s office building is closed in observance of Juneteenth.
URL:https://swifoundation.org/event/2025-juneteenth-holiday-2/
LOCATION:Southwest Initiative Foundation\, 15 3rd Ave NW\, Hutchinson\, 55350\, United States
CATEGORIES:Office Building Closure
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ORGANIZER;CN="Southwest Initiative Foundation":MAILTO:info@swifoundation.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260623T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260623T090000
DTSTAMP:20260331T142104Z
CREATED:20260212T161600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T142104Z
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SUMMARY:40th Anniversary Celebration: Swift County
DESCRIPTION:You’re invited!\n\n\n\nCome celebrate Southwest Initiative Foundation’s 40th Anniversary by enjoying breakfast at the Benson Bakery. \n\n\n\nThis is a come-and-go event. Stop by when you can to say hello to SWIF staff\, connect with neighbors and community members\, and check the Benson Bakery in Benson. \n\n\n\n\nRSVP to help us plan\n\n\n\n\nQuestions? Email Meghan Laffen or call (320) 326-8984.
URL:https://swifoundation.org/event/40th-anniversary-celebration-swift-county/
LOCATION:Benson Bakery\, 1305 Pacific Ave\, Benson\, Minnesota\, 55350
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ORGANIZER;CN="Southwest Initiative Foundation":MAILTO:info@swifoundation.org
GEO:45.3139388;-95.6010841
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260623T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260623T180000
DTSTAMP:20260331T142151Z
CREATED:20260203T162300Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T142151Z
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SUMMARY:40th Anniversary Celebration: Big Stone County
DESCRIPTION:You’re invited!\n\n\n\nCome celebrate Southwest Initiative Foundation’s 40th Anniversary by enjoying happy hour at Lakewood Supper Club. \n\n\n\nThis is a come-and-go event. Stop by when you can to say hello to SWIF staff\, connect with neighbors and community members\, and check out Lakewood Supper Club in Ortonville. \n\n\n\n\nRSVP to help us plan\n\n\n\n\nQuestions? Email Meghan Laffen or (320) 326-8984.
URL:https://swifoundation.org/event/40th-anniversary-celebration-big-stone-county/
LOCATION:Lakewood Supper Club\, 1073 Lake Shore Dr\, Ortonville\, Minnesota 56278\, Minnesota\, 56278
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260624T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260624T180000
DTSTAMP:20260331T142306Z
CREATED:20260203T162600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T142306Z
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SUMMARY:40th Anniversary Celebration: Chippewa County
DESCRIPTION:You’re invited!\n\n\n\nCome celebrate Southwest Initiative Foundation’s 40th Anniversary by enjoying happy hour at Talking Waters Brewing Company. \n\n\n\nThis is a come-and-go event. Stop by when you can to say hello to SWIF staff\, connect with neighbors and community members\, and check out our loan client\, Talking Waters Brewing Company in Montevideo. \n\n\n\n\nRSVP to help us plan\n\n\n\n\nQuestions? Email Meghan Laffen or call (320) 326-8984.
URL:https://swifoundation.org/event/40th-anniversary-celebration-chippewa-county/
LOCATION:Talking Waters Brewing Company\, 205 S 1st St\, Montevideo\, MN\, 56265\, United States
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260625T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260625T130000
DTSTAMP:20260331T142350Z
CREATED:20260203T162800Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T142350Z
UID:10001134-1782387000-1782392400@swifoundation.org
SUMMARY:40th Anniversary Celebration: Lac Qui Parle County
DESCRIPTION:You’re invited!\n\n\n\nCome celebrate Southwest Initiative Foundation’s 40th Anniversary by enjoying lunch at Gnometown Grounds. \n\n\n\nThis is a come-and-go event. Stop by when you can to say hello to SWIF staff\, connect with neighbors and community members\, and check out our loan client\, Gnometown Grounds in Dawson. \n\n\n\n\nRSVP to help us plan\n\n\n\n\nQuestions? Email Meghan Laffen or call (320) 326-8984.
URL:https://swifoundation.org/event/40th-anniversary-celebration-lac-qui-parle-county/
LOCATION:Gnometown Grounds\, 767 6th St\, Dawson\, Minnesota\, 56232
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