February 2026

Say Hello To Todd County Development Corporation's New Executive Director, Leah Wolkow

“Small towns have my heart, so this felt like a great place to be.”



When the opportunity arose for Leah Wolkow to step into the position of Executive Director for Todd County Development Corporation (TCDC), she didn’t hesitate. “It was an opportunity to take the next step in my career and lead an organization in a county filled with communities that looked more like the small town that I grew up in.” Read More

City of Pillager Seeks Community Input to Guide Comprehensive Plan

Direct Support to Farm and Food Businesses in Rural Minnesota

Thanks to generous support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, the Entrepreneur Fund (EFund) is excited to launch a one-time funding of the Rural Field to Market grant that will provide direct support (up to $20,000.00) to small- to mid-size farm and food businesses located within our Minnesota service region. 



Applications Due February 16th.

Unlock Business Growth: Explore Financing Programs from MN DEED



The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) offers a variety of financing programs to support business growth and economic development in the state. Here's an overview of some key programs:

Minnesota Job Creation Fund

Provides financial incentives to new and expanding businesses that meet certain job creation and capital investment targets.

Minnesota Investment Fund

Offers loans to assist companies with expansion and new location projects, focusing on industrial, manufacturing, and technology-related industries.

Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program

Supports the growth of businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities by offering loans for start-up and expansion costs.

Angel Loan Fund

Provides funding to early-stage businesses that have received angel investment, aiming to support high-tech startups and entrepreneurs.

State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)

Offers various programs to increase access to capital for small businesses, including loan guarantees and venture capital investments.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis relies on survey responses from local businesses to assess real-time economic conditions. Be HEARD!

Complete this short survey and share your insight: HERE

Building & Sustaining Rural Capacity

Rural and Indigenous communities are dealing with a lot at once. Economic change. Workforce shifts. Climate impacts. Shaken trust between communities and the government. Funding systems that keep evolving.

In the midst of all this, Rural Development Hubs serve as trusted regional organizations that bring partners together, align resources, and support locally driven efforts that strengthen communities over time.

For example, in Minnesota, groups like the Region Five Development Commission and the Minnesota Initiative Foundations are showing how trusted regional organizations can respond to immediate challenges while continuing to build long-term capacity.

Join Aspen CSG on February 11 at 2:00 PM CST for a virtual conversation on what it takes to build and sustain regional capacity over time.

Project REACH

Rural Experts Advancing Community Health

Build the skills you need to successfully advocate for improved health in your rural community. Project REACH is a year-long development program that empowers community leaders in rural Minnesota with health policy and leadership training. Participants receive training, access to an expert network through the University, and a $1500 stipend to help them advocate to improve health in their communities. 

Business Education Through SCORE

The wealth of content available when starting or growing a business can be overwhelming, especially as you deal with so many areas of development, from finance to marketing to legal and business formation issues. Here are some excellent resources to help alleviate the overwhelm.

• February 5 | How OB3 Impacts Your Taxes: Protect Your Business and Maximize Deductions

• February 10 | Your SEO Roadmap: How to Get Your Website Found Online

• February 12 | Keep More at Textime With Smart Bookkeeping: Understand Your Financial Reports

• February 17 | LinkedIn Marketing for B2B: Increase Visibility, Credibility, and Engagement

• February 19 | From Marketing Plan to Action: Choosing Which Activities to Prioritize

• February 26 | Health Insurance 101 for Small Business Owners and Startups