Transforming Waste into Energy: RNDC Leads Tour of Xcel Energy’s Wilmarth Plant

From left to right: Director of the Minnesota State Engineering Center of Excellence Jason Bruns, Brown County Commissioner Brian Braun, RNDC Deputy Director Jessica Beyer, Jeanne Poppe from Senator Smith's Office, RNDC and Brown County Commissioner Dave Borchert, RNDC Vice Chair and New Ulm City Council President Andrea Boettger, Cory Becker from Representative Fischbach's Office, Allison Gray from Representative Craig's Office, RNDC Brown County Township Commissioner Robert Goblirsch, RNDC GreenCorps Member Lisa Callahan, Chuck Ackman from Senator Klobuchar's Office, New Ulm Public Utilities’ Energy Representative Derek Nelson, and RNDC Energy and Sustainability Planner Sam Sharp

On Monday, February 24, RNDC hosted a tour of Xcel Energy’s Wilmarth Power Plant in Mankato to explore its Resource Recovery System. The tour brought together County Commissioners, a city council president, a city environmental specialist, and staff representatives from the offices of Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Tina Smith, Representative Angie Craig, and Representative Michelle Fischbach. This diverse group of policymakers and local leaders had the opportunity to see firsthand how municipal solid waste is transformed into a renewable energy source.

The Wilmarth Plant is a key part of a larger waste-to-energy system that helps reduce landfill use while providing electricity to the region. In partnership with several Minnesota counties and private businesses, waste collected from residents is processed into Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), a burnable material that replaces traditional fossil fuels in power generation. The plant has been operating on RDF since 1987 when it transitioned from coal to support a more sustainable energy strategy.

Tour attendees learned about the three main steps in the Resource Recovery process. First, municipal solid waste is collected and transported to a processing facility, where it is shredded, dried, and separated. Metals such as iron and steel are extracted for recycling using large magnets, ensuring that valuable materials do not go to waste. The remaining material is turned into RDF, which is then transported to the Wilmarth Plant.

At the plant, RDF is burned in a high-temperature chamber, generating steam that powers turbines to produce electricity. This process not only creates a renewable energy source but also significantly reduces the volume of waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. The Wilmarth Plant alone generates enough electricity from waste to power approximately 20,000 homes, demonstrating the potential of resource recovery to support regional energy needs.

Beyond energy production, the tour highlighted the broader environmental and economic benefits of waste-to-energy initiatives. By repurposing waste into fuel, counties participating in the program can reduce landfill dependency, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create a more circular economy. Attendees engaged in discussions about how this model could inform future waste management and energy policies in the region.

The tour also underscored the importance of regional cooperation in advancing sustainable solutions. With approximately 200,000 tons of waste processed annually at facilities in Newport and Mankato, partnerships between counties, municipalities, and private sector stakeholders play a critical role in making resource recovery successful. By hosting this tour, RNDC provided local leaders with valuable insight into a system that turns waste into an economic resource.

Global Hiring Event Highlights Strategies for Recruiting International Talent

With workforce shortages affecting businesses across Greater Minnesota, hiring international students presents a significant opportunity to address labor gaps, foster innovation, and build connections to global markets. To support businesses in navigating the hiring process, RNDC partnered with Kivu Immigration Law PLLC, Greater Mankato Growth, and Taylor Corporation to host a Global Hiring Event focused on attracting, hiring, and retaining an international workforce.

Held at Pioneer Bank, the event featured a panel discussion with industry leaders, economic development professionals, and higher education representatives.

Panelists included RNDC Economic Recovery Planner Alejandra Bejarano, Taylor Corporation Director of Talent Acquisition Brent Christopherson, Minnesota State University-Mankato Director of International Student Services Jacy Fry, Mankato YMCA Director Andrew Burk, Waseca County Administrator Michael Johnson, Thin Film Technology Operations Director Cindy Thelemann, and GreenSeam Economic Development Coordinator Holly Callaghan, with Garrett Lieffring from Kivu Immigration Law PLLC moderating.

Panelists emphasized the advantages of engaging international students early and developing internship opportunities. Businesses that integrate international talent into their workforce gain a competitive edge, benefiting from a diverse talent pool with global perspectives.

To assist employers, RNDC has developed the Global Hiring Toolkit, now available on the RNDC Website. This resource provides actionable strategies for engaging and hiring international students including:

• The impact of global talent on local businesses
• Why employers should consider hiring international students
• Hiring processes that require minimal paperwork
• A step-by-step guide to international student hiring

RNDC will hosting a two-part webinar on Monday, March 31st and Monday, April 14th. These sessions will focus on attracting, hiring, and retaining a global workforce.

You can register for the webinar at, Building Tomorrows Workforce Webinar Series or click the button below.

For more information and to access the Global Hiring Toolkit, visit www.rndc.org/global_talent_toolkit/.

Meet RNDC’s New Food Recovery Coordinator, Tom Polich

RNDC is excited to welcome Tom Polich to the team as the new Food Rescue Coordinator! With a passion for tackling food insecurity and a background in meals and nutrition services, Tom is ready to make an impact in South Central Minnesota. His experience with Lutheran Social Service of MN (LSS) gave him firsthand insight into the challenges of food scarcity, and he’s eager to help develop solutions through RNDC’s Regional Food Rescue Plan.

Before joining RNDC, Tom worked as a Regional Program Manager for LSS, overseeing a 13-county area and providing home-delivered meals, child nutrition programs, and partnerships to address food insecurity. Prior to that, he served as the Marketing Director for Mages Land Co & Auction Service. With over 15 years in the food and beverage industry, he brings valuable knowledge and connections to his new role.

Tom’s passion for food recovery started when he saw just how many people struggle with food access. “It’s highly motivating to know that when we have a food rescue plan in place, we’ll not only help people get the nutrition they need but also keep more waste from going into landfills and the environment,” he says. In his new role, Tom will focus on outreach, communication, and logistics across RNDC’s nine-county service area to help connect food shelves with available resources and build a stronger food rescue network.

When he’s not working, Tom takes full advantage of Minnesota’s warm weather. He enjoys motorcycling, spending time by the lake, and playing outside with his two kids. One of his biggest hobbies? Supporting his daughter, Piper, in her racing career. She competes at Little Elko Speedway as part of the NASCAR Youth Series, and Tom is her biggest fan and pit crew all in one!

One fun fact about Tom—he once served George Wendt, famously known as “Norm” from Cheers, while working as a bartender. “To be able to say I served ‘Norm’ a beverage at a bar is definitely a cool experience!” he laughs.

Tom’s arrival at RNDC is an exciting step toward implementing the Regional Food Rescue Plan, an initiative that local partners identified as key to reducing food waste and increasing food access in the region. With his enthusiasm and expertise, Tom will make an impactful addition to RNDC’s food rescue efforts.

RNDC Engages St. James High School Students in Green Careers

RNDC participated in the St. James High School 2nd Annual College and Career Showcase, offering students insight into career opportunities in sustainability and green energy. RNDC’s Energy and Sustainability Planner, Sam Sharp, and GreenCorps Member, Lisa Callahan, connected with students to discuss pathways into the growing field of environmental sustainability.

As part of the event, RNDC conducted a survey to assess students’ understanding of climate issues, their current energy-saving habits, and their perspectives on climate change. Engaging students early in these conversations is critical, as the demand for green jobs continues to grow. Programs like GreenCorps provide hands-on experience and training for those interested in making a difference in their communities and the environment.

By participating in events like this, RNDC helps equip the next generation with the knowledge and resources needed to pursue careers that contribute to a sustainable future.

New Grant Opportunity for Local Farmers:

Apply for the Grow-a-Farmer Grant

Local farmers now have a new opportunity to access funding through the Grow-a-Farmer Grant, a partnership between the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) and RNDC. This grant is designed to support sustainable farmers in expanding their operations and increasing the availability of local agricultural products across South Central Minnesota.

Grants ranging from $500 to $2,500 are available, with the potential for larger or smaller amounts considered on a case-by-case basis. Farmers can use these funds for a variety of projects, including purchasing small equipment, implementing sustainable farming techniques, repairing farm structures, or recovering from weather-related losses. Expenses incurred as early as January 1, 2025, may also be eligible for reimbursement with proper receipts.

To qualify, farms or farm businesses must operate within Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Watonwan, or Waseca counties. Additionally, applicants should demonstrate financial need, be located in an economically distressed community, be recovering from a disaster, or belong to an underserved or disadvantaged group.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until November 1, 2025, providing flexibility for farmers to apply when they need support most. However, funding is limited, so early applications are encouraged. Certain expenses, such as large machinery purchases and income replacement, are not eligible for funding.

Learn more and apply today. Visit https://www.rndc.org/grow-a-farmer/ or click the button below.

If you live or work in Springfield, take the Community Survey!

Two Region Nine Communities Shine with CERTs Seed Grant Support

Two communities in Region Nine—the City of Comfrey and the River of Life Lutheran Church in Saint Peter—are making strides in energy efficiency thanks to funding from Clean Energy Resource Teams’ (CERTs) Seed Grants. These grants support community-based clean energy projects that promote efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy while serving as visible examples for other communities to follow.

In Comfrey, funding was used to upgrade lighting in key public buildings, including the post office, community center, city offices, and fire hall. By replacing outdated lighting with energy-efficient LEDs, the city is reducing energy costs and enhancing sustainability efforts.

Similarly, River of Life Lutheran Church in Saint Peter utilized the grant to install LED lighting in its “Friends Building,” a vital community hub that hosts various events and services. The upgrade improves energy efficiency and lowers operational costs, allowing more resources to be directed toward community outreach.

CERTs Seed Grants provide $5,000-$10,000 in funding to jumpstart local clean energy projects, making clean energy more accessible and inspiring further investment. These grants prioritize projects that educate communities, engage local partners, and break down barriers to clean energy adoption.

Learn more about how these projects are making an impact by reading the full stories on the CERTs website:

City of Comfrey: A Story of Resilience

River of Life Lutheran Church: Leading the Way

You can learn more about CERTs Seed Grants by clicking the button below.