GROVE CITY, Minn. — Dillon Anderson is taking his welding skills on the road as he launches Anderson Welding & Repair offering mobile welding services. Anderson received technical assistance from Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program as well as financing to purchase tools, equipment and a laptop for his small business.
Anderson Welding & Repair specializes in agricultural construction but aims to serve a variety of welding needs including minor automotive repairs and maintenance. In-house repairs are available in addition to mobile welding.
“When your equipment breaks or fails, it can be a business-defining moment, and we believe it shouldn’t be difficult to get excellent, prompt service,” Anderson said. “We’re ready to dispatch a rig to a shop, a field or wherever a customer is located.”
Anderson earned his welding diploma from Ridgewater College in Hutchinson and has six years of experience in the field, including most recently at a company in Litchfield that offers grain handling and storage solutions. Anderson’s wife, Hayley is managing marketing and other administrative functions at Anderson Welding & Repair. She’s enrolled in a small business management course at Minnesota West.
“Dillon’s unique idea to bring welding to customers will fill a niche in the surrounding rural communities,” said SWIF Economic Development Officer Jackie Turner. “SWIF is happy to help Dillon and Hayley launch this venture.”
Loan programs have been a key function of SWIF since its inception to support communities and businesses throughout southwest Minnesota. In 2001, microlending was added to existing programs as a tool to support small businesses and people looking for self-employment opportunities. Find out more about our program.
Microloan clients receive free technical assistance from SWIF staff to improve their business management skills. Areas of support include business planning and financials analysis, QuickBooks training, marketing assistance and other training opportunities for the life of the loan.
This microloan program receives funding assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, contact SWIF at 800-594-9480, 320-587-4848 or [email protected].
About Southwest Initiative Foundation
Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) is a nonprofit community foundation connecting people, investing in ideas and building communities to create a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive. Since its founding in 1986, SWIF has distributed more than $78 million through its grantmaking and business finance programs. Learn more at swifoundation.org.
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