Clara City, Minnesota: A Truly Innovative Community
I’m continually learning new things about our southwest Minnesota region. Yesterday’s visit to Clara City for our bi-monthly Board of Directors meeting was no exception, as I learned about some amazing things happening in this bustling community.
Ann Jones Kazemzadeh shared samples from Kay's Naturals, a unique Clara City business, with our board and guests.
Did you know that Cara City—population of about 1,300—is home to a natural foods company, Kay’s Naturals? This is a perfect example of how our region’s agricultural industry and commitment to innovation have come together to create a unique business, providing natural snack foods marketed for sports nutrition, diabetic health and medical weight loss.
And, SWIF’s very first business loan in the late 1980s was made to a Clara City/Maynard company, Impact Innovations. From holiday products like window clings and gift wrap to food merchandise displays, this manufacturer is producing things that we see in Wal-Mart, Target or grocery stores, likely without even realizing they were made here in our region. President/CEO John Dammerman currently serves on SWIF’s microloan advisory committee and CFO Ron Noyes is a past SWIF board member. Both have played an important role in helping SWIF support many other regional businesses to create, retain and sustain local wealth.
Aside from business, the MACCRAY (Maynard-Clara City-Raymond) School District has been an innovator. In 2008, they were the first in Minnesota to implement a four-day school week as a way to better use district resources and provide an effective learning environment for students. They also recently implemented an iPad Initiative—all students in grades 7-12 have iPads as a way to use technology to enhance learning.
Two final things that struck me yesterday:
- Mike Tebben, owner of Tebben Enterprises—a manufacturer of industrial and recreational products—shared the need for employees, specifically welders. This presents a GREAT opportunity for our region’s skilled workforce.
- We also learned that not all of our communities have natural gas resources, which can be a road block to attracting new business and development. The city is working to bring natural gas service into Clara City and nearby communities.
There are so many things that make this a vibrant community—long-standing family businesses, a strong banking presence, quality long-term care facility and strategic partnerships and planning by city and other community leaders. It’s exciting to see the great people and great ideas coming together to create opportunities for this area of our region!
What else would you say makes Clara City one of many southwest Minnesota ‘gems’?
Sharing the Gift of Family Philanthropy
Former SWIF board chair Becky Parker and her family have supported the region in many ways together.
This week marked my first experience attending the national Council on Foundation’s annual Family Philanthropy Conference. I found myself wearing multiple hats—representing the Council on Foundations as a board member, as well as SWIF, our region and our donors. I found the many conversations and connections I’ve had this week to be incredibly valuable for southwest Minnesota and SWIF’s entire family of donors.
The focus of the week was meaningful family giving, which happens in so many ways. Giving is personal, but even as individuals, we’re brought together by a desire to make things around us better for those we care about.
Have you ever talked about giving with your family? Do your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews know that community is important to you? I’d like to pose a challenge to you. Take time in the next few weeks to talk about giving with your family members. Talk about why you volunteer your time for community activities, organizations or your church. Talk about why you support the Girl/Boy Scouts, Red Cross, local community foundation or whatever your favorite charity might be. Talk to them about why you started donating to a particular fund. And talk to them about why you hope they too will make an effort to give back as they’re able.
Family philanthropy doesn’t always mean having a fund or foundation in your name. It can take many forms, so be sure you’re taking the time to enjoy sharing these gifts with those closest to you.
A Warm SWIF Welcome and an Exciting New Adventure
I am so excited to introduce someone very special to southwest Minnesota. Last week, Southwest Initiative Foundation welcomed Bob Golberg as our new Legacy Gift Planner. Bob comes to us as a successful Director of Planned Giving where he started the programs first at Mankato State University (1982-1992) and then at The Wilder Foundation (1992-2007). In retirement Bob has also worked with Carver County Community Foundation’s Planned Giving program. As a fellow Mankato State grad, I’m especially happy to have Bob join us. But that aside, I know he’s going to help create opportunities for people who care about southwest Minnesota and want to leave a legacy—of many different sizes and through a variety of creative methods—that will truly mean something to them and our communities and region forever.
This new position—and especially Bob’s professional experience—has created a valuable new resource for southwest Minnesota and those who want to leave a gift through their estate plan using a will, life insurance, charitable trust, gift annuity or life estate. If you’ve ever had ideas about what you might want to do for your community or wondered how you or your family might be remembered, Bob has the knowledge and background to listen and help come up with some great options to consider. Anyone can leave a legacy with some thoughtful and creative planning. We are now better prepared to help serve the many generous people throughout our regional home and beyond who want to give back to southwest Minnesota.
Bob is from Albert Lea and his wife, Elaine, is from Jackson. Bob has wonderful stories to share of how he has helped many individuals leave their charitable legacy through planned giving. I hope you’ll get an opportunity to meet Bob in person sometime in the near future. If you’d like to set up a visit, call our office at 800-594-9480.
Thanks for helping welcome Bob to our SWIF family!
Congratulations, Sara Carlson!
Each year the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH) recognizes individuals who have shown extraordinary achievement and/or leadership in the field of children’s mental health. This year, the MACMH Board of Directors chose our own Program Officer Sara Carlson to receive one of the Outstanding Service Awards.
Read more about the honor and Sara’s work through SWIF and beyond and join me in congratulating Sara for this recognition!
The Cheese Won’t Stand Alone Along the I-29 Corridor
For a long time, I’ve championed the impact of the I-29/1-90 corridor on southwest Minnesota and our greater rural region. This week, news from Brookings, S.D., highlights a perfect example of its significance.
The Brookings City Council approved a development agreement Tuesday with Bel Brands USA to locate a $120 million manufacturing facility in Brookings. Bel Brands is the manufacturer of Mini Babybel and The Laughing Cow Cheese Brands, as well as other natural and gourmet cheese products. Read the news release for full details about the company and project.
Bel Brands USA is headquartered in Chicago and a subsidiary of a global, Paris-based company. They currently have two production facilities located in Kentucky and Wisconsin, and when looking for a new location, Iowa, Idaho, Michigan and South Dakota were under consideration. Their President and CEO Lance Chambers noted the “hard-working Midwestern values” as one of the factors to selecting Brookings.
I couldn’t agree more. With an economic history deeply rooted in agriculture and people with values and work ethic to match, our rural region is an absolutely ideal spot for this type of business expansion. And, it’s no coincidence that this 170,000 square-foot facility will be located on 48 acres near the I-29 corridor.
So what does this news mean for us? The estimated economic impact of a fully operational plant is $500 million annually. It also means that our friends across the border will be filling 200 positions by 2014 with the potential to create up to 400 jobs in a later project phase in the next four to five years.
Southwest Minnesota business leaders that I’ve connected with this week are very optimistic about the opportunities this presents. Here are a few of the comments shared:
- “This is good for the region. This probably has a great deal to do with the collective benefits of low taxation, public private partnerships, excellent SDSU dairy program, work force, etc.”
- “Bel Brands is a good customer…I hope this will leader to more opportunity for both companies in the future.”
- “Very exciting for our area. Confirms my belief that agriculture is the mainstay of our business climate…”
- “Could affect our labor force numbers. I did appreciate the connection with SDSU and I-29 corridor.”
What’s your reaction to this news? Post a comment to share here, or contact me at sherryr@swifoundation.org.
