News

October 7, 2026

National Estate Planning Awareness Week: October 19-25

Give Yourself the Gift of Certainty One of the most thoughtful steps you can take is creating certainty for the people and places close to your

Three adults stand outdoors in conversation, smiling and laughing. One woman wears glasses and a black dress, another wears a floral blouse, and a man with white hair wears glasses and a blue-striped shirt. Trees are visible in the background.

September 30, 2026

Two new business lending staff join SWIF

We’re excited to welcome two new members of our economic development team: Lynda Duncan, Loan Portfolio Specialist, and Jazmine Flores, Commercial

A group of people stand in an office holding a large check for $40,000 made out to the Pipestone Area Community Foundation. An American flag stands in the corner and a tree mural decorates the wall behind them.

September 24, 2026

For the Love of Rural: Pipestone Area Community Foundation

Since 1999, the Pipestone Area Community Foundation (PACF) has connected local generosity with community needs and opportunities. One of its recent

Three people stand and smile while talking in a room with wooden doors. The woman on the left has long blonde hair and a red top, facing two people, one man and one woman, who both have name tags and are standing near a table.

September 1, 2026

Marcella and John are leading the way in Southwest Minnesota

Resilient communities need people willing to step forward, test new ideas, and bring others together. That’s a perfect way to describe Marcella Prokop

Several people spread dirt along a playground fence with rakes while a small loader vehicle pours more dirt nearby. Playground equipment and benches are visible under a partly cloudy sky.

August 19, 2026

Project updates from our most recent Age Friendly Communities

From Community Input to Community Impact Six communities participated in the latest Age Friendly Communities Program through the Minnesota River

Text on a maroon background reads National Make-A-Will Month. Icons at the bottom show a will document, a family, and a house. Colorful triangles fill the top right corner.

August 16, 2026

National Make-A-Will Month: Create Peace of Mind and Leave a Lasting Legacy

Every August, National Make-A-Will Month serves as an important reminder to plan for the future and protect the people and causes we care about most.