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Greetings!
You may notice I'm a new face at SMIF, now serving as vice president of entrepreneurship, but I'm no stranger to its mission.
Throughout my career — from my work with Community Economic Development Associates (CEDA) to my time as city administrator in Blue Earth — I’ve seen first-hand the challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs and communities face.
Southern Minnesota has always felt like home to me because of its strong sense of community and commitment to each other’s success. In my new role, I’m excited to support entrepreneurs and communities across the region, helping them thrive and continue making a real impact in their towns.
Learn more about my background and passion for southern Minnesota by reading my bio.
If you have any questions please contact me at 507-214-7013 or marya@smifoundation.org.
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Mary Athey
Vice President of Entrepreneurship
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Entrepreneurial Bridge: RSVP by Sept. 12
Sept. 23 | Albert Lea
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Join us for the 2025 Entrepreneurial Bridge! We are excited to once again partner with Albert Lea Economic Development Agency (ALEDA) to host one of our region’s largest gatherings of rural innovators and entrepreneurs.
We are excited to welcome JonnyPops co-founder and chief financial officer, Connor Wray, as this year's keynote speaker. From humble Minnesota beginnings making frozen treats in the basement of their St. Olaf College dorm room, Connor and co-founder, Erik Brust, perfected this well known popsicle brand.
The Entrepreneurial Bridge will be Tuesday, September 23 from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. with a reception to follow until 5:30 p.m. at Wedgewood Cove, Albert Lea.
If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Heien, entrepreneurship administrative coordinator, at jenniferh@smifoundation.org or 507-214-7040.
| | Welcome to Arnold De Los Santos, new lending director | | |
We're excited to welcome Arnold De Los Santos as SMIF's new lending director!
Arnold came to us with 13 years of experience in banking and also has experience in warehouse and farm work. His primary responsibilities include working with the Small Enterprise Loan Program, Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program and the Grow a Farmer Fund.
| | Rochester behavior coach develops growth plans | | |
Angie Ellsworth, MS, LSW, LSC is the owner of Timeout Behavior Coaching, LLC in Rochester. She has developed her growth plans through SMIF’s Prosperity Initiative program.
"We educate and empower families to know better, do better and feel better," shared Angie. "Timeout Behavior Coaching, LLC provides in-home parent coaching for caregivers raising children with challenging behaviors. We work alongside counties, community organizations and private families to offer strengths-based, trauma-informed support right where families need it most — in their homes.
"With the support of our Business Coach and the leadership team, we were able to develop our core values, clarify our message and build a more intentional growth plan. Our Business Coach listened to our concerns, clarified our questions and guided us toward steps in that plan."
| | St. Peter doctor receives SMIF loan for practice | | |
SMIF gave a Small Enterprise Loan to Dr. Amanda Bohn in 2024 to support her new practice, Personal Hearing Care, in St. Peter. She shared with us her inspiration and vision for her business.
"The idea for my business started developing during my last year of graduate school," said Dr. Bohn. "After spending time working in multispecialty clinics and alongside ENTs, I started to form my own vision of how I wanted to care for patients with a more personalized and patient-centered approach to audiologic care. With the support of my family and guidance of my significant other (an entrepreneur himself) I felt ready to take the leap and bring that vision into reality by opening my own practice."
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The following entrepreneurs are growing their businesses in southern Minnesota and have recently received loans from SMIF:
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Cry Baby Craig's LLC, Faribault | Specialty hot sauces
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Little Thistle Brewing Company, Rochester | Brewery and taproom
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Mary's on Main Street LLC, Ormsby | Restaurant
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NutraBoss Inc, Blue Earth | Nitrogen application tool
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Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm LLC, Waseca | Wood-fired pizza
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River Bluff Technologies, Red Wing | Smart Agent
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Tone Music LLC, Owatonna | Music store
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Tortillas La Mayzteca, Rochester | Tortillas and rotisserie chicken sales
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Trash Titans LLC, Owatonna | Junk removal and dumpster rental
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TrueToForm, Rochester | Body scanning and fit prediction software
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Wigham Trucking, Hartland | Trucking
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Economic Development Grant
Applications due Oct. 10
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SMIF is currently accepting applications for its Economic Development Grant program. Requests of up to $20,000 will be considered.
The goal of SMIF’s Economic Development Grant is to support initiatives which enable communities to create more prosperous local economies. Projects from eligible nonprofits, government agencies and public institutions in SMIF’s 20-county region may apply. This grant round will especially consider proposals from anchoring economic development efforts that may be experiencing sudden funding loss or operational shocks due to changes in the external economic landscape. As such, existing work is eligible for funding — in addition to new proposals.
Two more SMIF grants will open this fall, including the Taylor Rural Improvements Grant and the Early Care and Education Grant. Learn more.
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Rural Voice
Sept. 29 | Owatonna
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Rural Voice, the statewide town hall series amplifying perspectives from Greater Minnesota, will host a town hall discussion in Owatonna at Mineral Springs Brewery on Monday, September 29, with a focus on healthcare and mental health in rural Minnesota.
Moderated by Rural Voice co-founder and Minnesota Public Radio host, Kerri Miller, the free event begins at 5 p.m. with pizza. The town hall discussion, which will be recorded for Minnesota Public Radio, will be held from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. A reception will follow the evening’s discussion.
The Rural Voice series, which has visited more than a dozen rural communities in Minnesota since 2022, is supported by the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, as well as the Minnesota Initiative Foundations.
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Cybersecurity Awareness
Oct. 9 | Owatonna
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SMIF is hosting a cybersecurity awareness training for our loan clients on Oct. 9.
Murray Shabestari with PowerData Solutions Inc. will teach cybersecurity basics, risk management, cybersecurity framework, small business cybersecurity resources and AI and security.
No matter what size business, cybersecurity is a must. It includes incident response, cyber hygiene, social engineering and streamlining operations; reducing costs in IT, vendor contracts, outdated subscriptions and making sure tools talk to each other and data isn’t siloed; and making critical projects manageable when you’re short on time or staff.
This is a free event, but RSVPs are requested. To RSVP or ask questions, please contact Arnold De Los Santos, SMIF lending director, at arnoldd@smifoundation.org or by text at 507-456-1260 with your name, business name and how many are planning to attend. If your plans change and you are not able to attend, please update your RSVP to allow room for others. Registration closes Friday, Oct. 3.
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FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace
Nov. 1 | Rochester
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Save the date for the 2025 FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace! Sip, sample and shop hundreds of local foods and craft beverages at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN.
Registration is open now for exhibitors!
| | Tim Penny Small Towns Fund | | |
With your support we will raise an additional $1 million to invest in our region’s small towns through SMIF’s new fund for community vitality.
In honor of Tim’s lifetime work in southern Minnesota and his longtime passion and deep roots in small towns, we invite you to help us start the Tim Penny Small Towns Fund to honor him. Thanks to investment earnings, your gift will continue to grow and have an even greater impact on the region in years to come.
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Leave a lasting legacy with FreeWill
A few years ago we realized there was a gap in accessibility to estate planning tools. We believe that all people and families deserve the opportunity to thrive, including planning for their future. That's why we are excited to partner with FreeWill, a free online tool to write your legal will at no personal cost to you. This resource helps protect your family and friends, plan beneficiaries for your assets and support the causes and communities you love. With FreeWill you can have peace of mind and leave a lasting legacy in just 20 minutes. This tool is also available to any friends and family that might benefit from it, so please pass it on. Learn more here.
| | Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation | 507-455-3215 | www.smifoundation.org | | | | |
