To honor and recognize the service of local veterans, Chippewa County Veterans Service Office hosted a special event at this year’s Chippewa County Fair in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Montevideo Veterans Home. The Montevideo Area Community Foundation granted $1,500 to help make Veterans Day at the fair success.
News
From Passion to Plate: Well Made Meal Prep
Fueled by the real-life challenge of balancing busy lives and providing their family with homemade, nutritious food, Shay and Raven All Runner launched a meal prep service with a bold mission: to inspire change by making healthy eating accessible for everyone, one meal at a time.
Time to socialize and exercise at Winsted SAIL classes
After completing the grant-funded Age Friendly Communities program, Winsted launched the “Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL)” exercise program two and a half years ago, starting with one class on Mondays and Fridays. Within 5 months it was so popular, they needed to start a second class. This September, they launched a third.
SMCC loan supports Hutchinson dancer, entrepreneur
Tatyana Wittman has been dancing since she was 2. She turned her lifelong passion into a business this year, opening Synergy Dance Project in the Hutchinson Mall. This Gen Z founder has always been inspired by the idea of synergy, how people work better together. A loan from Southwest Minnesota Community Capital helped pave the way. This emerging Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) is a subsidiary of Southwest Initiative Foundation.
Celebrating Kids Rock! Child Care Center
On May 28, a red ribbon snapped in half between giant scissors as a large group of supporters cheered in Luverne. Kids Rock! Child Care Center was ready to welcome kids and families with quality, affordable child care, truly something to celebrate. In fiscal year 2025, SWIF invested more than half a million in southwest Minnesota’s child care providers and businesses, supporting start-up expenses, technical assistance, professional development and other critical operational needs.
Loan Client Mocha Motion in Hutchinson
Mocha Motion is a mobile coffee trailer fueled by passion, community, and a deep love for coffee. Founder Heather Finnell, based in Hutchinson, is new to entrepreneurship and received funding and support from our Microenterprise Loan Program to launch her business.
