Entries by Region Nine

Public Meeting set for Lake Crystal’s Strategic Economic Development Plan

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The Lake Crystal Strategic Economic Development Plan is the result of a seven-month initiative between RNDC and the City of Lake Crystal that creates a comprehensive picture of Lake Crystal’s local economy, position, and reputation within the region. The plan incorporated public engagement and feedback that allowed RNDC to verify findings, test assumptions, and uncover […]

Waseca receives grant to help address employment gap

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MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) – Nearly two years after Waseca’s largest employer shut down, the city hopes to use new grant funds to help with its employment gap. Quad Graphics closed its Waseca plant at the end of 2017, leaving more than 300 workers without jobs. In an effort to fill the hole left behind, the […]

Waseca gets grant to combat job loss due to Quad Graphics closure

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WASECA — The city of Waseca is receiving nearly $396,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration to hire a recovery coordinator to help restore jobs lost as a result of the Quad Graphics closure. Quad Graphics, formerly Brown Printing, closed at the end of 2017. About 350 workers lost their jobs at […]

Growing the local foods economy

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This time of year, the farmers’ markets are rich with local vegetables, berries, meats, breads and jams. It’s a visual testament to the abundance of our region and the ever-growing local foods economy that is sustained by consumers who want to buy directly from area farmers. At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), we have been […]

Effects of Del Monte closing ripple through Sleepy Eye

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SLEEPY EYE — The announcement Tuesday that Del Monte would shutter its sweet corn and pea canning plant in Sleepy Eye is reverberating throughout the community. “We had no idea it was coming. It was just a real unpleasant surprise,” said Kurk Kramer, economic development coordinator for the city. “There’s going to be a big […]

Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities honors area leaders

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Eagle Lake’s city administrator and the executive director of Region Nine Development Commission were among the Greater Minnesota leaders who received recognition during a July 25 conference in Bemidji. City Administrator Jennifer Bromeland was presented with the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities’ annual Excellence in Service Award.   The annual award is given by the […]