Community Vitality & Vibrancy: Co-ops, Pickleball Courts, and Clean Energy Empower Our Region
By: West Central Initiative
Join us for the Minnesota Cooperative Summit
Join us for Minnesota Cooperative Summit: Cooperatively Building a Better World, July 29-30, at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Together we’ll celebrate the International Year of Cooperatives, learn about the power and versatility of the cooperative model, engage in Minnesota’s rich history of cooperation, and gain inspiration from creative co-op success stories.
This event is open to all cooperatives and cooperators exploring collaboration, and aims to inspire those new to cooperatives to learn how they can use cooperative strategies to meet our state’s economic and social needs in the years ahead.
Pickleball Strengthens Community Connection Across Otter Tail County
Across our region, communities are adding a new amenity—pickleball courts! The Parkers Prairie community, Battle Lake Pickleball Club, Perham Pickleball Club, and Vergas Pickleball Club are bringing their communities’ pickleball court visions to life through our component fund program and their local community funds.
DEED Small Business Emergency Loan Program Sustained 26 Local Businesses
In 2020, we provided loans totaling $630,700 to 26 businesses across the region through the DEED Small Business Emergency Loan Program. The state created the program in the early days of the COVID-19-mandated shutdowns. Five years later, all 26 businesses are still operating today and have paid off the loans or are nearing the payoff date.
Distributed Wind for Your Farm, Rural Business, or Community
Join us, Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for a free, in-person workshop all about distributed wind energy. You’ll learn what it is, where it works best, and how it can benefit homes, farms, and businesses.
We’ll cover the basics—costs, payback timelines, and funding options—along with how distributed wind compares to other energy choices. You’ll also get a simple overview of the steps to start a project, what maintenance looks like, and where to find help and resources.
Bring your questions! This is a great chance to talk directly with the experts. Lunch, coffee, and refreshments provided.
U. S. Economic Development Administration Disaster Supplemental Grant Program
The EDA Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program makes approximately $1.45 billion available to support economic recovery activities in areas that received major disaster declarations.
The program provides funding through three funding pathways:
- Readiness Path – Capacity building and strategic planning projects that set the stage for future investment.
- Implementation Path – Standalone construction and non-construction projects that help communities recover from natural disasters and advance recovery and growth.
- Industry Transformation Path – Coalition-led, multi-project portfolios that transform regional economies through targeted industry development.
Eligible applicants must be local governments, higher education institutions, economic development organizations, or public-private partnerships in Clay, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin Counties. Eligible projects must reference and address the April 2023 flooding and severe storms. A 20% match is required.
Grants, Resources, and More
Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants | Applications Due July 11 and July 18
Available annually from the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS), these grants can fund a variety of projects including oral history, research and writing, interpretive programs and public education, collections care and management, building and equipment (including HVAC), and more. The MHS staff hosts a Grants Office Open House on the first Thursday of every month, including July 3, at 2 p.m. Small grant applications are due July 11, and the large grant pre-application deadline is July 18.
Cutting Hours Instead of Cutting Jobs | Virtual Event July 5
A little-known provision of the unemployment insurance system, “shared work” or “short-time compensation,” provides benefits to workers whose hours are reduced. In this virtual event hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, economic and policy experts will offer new insights on program success and how states are working with employers to use shared work.
Looking for more resources? Check out the University of Minnesota’s Empowering Small Minnesota Communities Grants Library.
