Southwest Regional Development Commission

09/05/2026

09/04/2026

🏠 The housing shortage across rural Minnesota also creates a labor shortage—making it harder to recruit new residents. Join us Thursday, Sept. 10 to hear more about the dynamics related to moving in, moving out, and moving over as it relates to active living and workforce housing. https://z.umn.edu/bji1

09/04/2026

Starting or growing a business comes with a flood of information, and it’s easy to feel buried under advice about finances, marketing, operations, and everything in between. SCORE’s upcoming workshops cut through the noise with practical, expert guidance to help you focus, gain confidence, and move your business forward. Here’s what’s coming up:
https://www.score.org/business-education/
Sept 8 | Build Your Holiday Marketing: Plan Your Offers, Marketing Calendar and Content
Sept 10 | Alternative Funding for Small Businesses: Grants, Crowdfunding and More
Sept 15 | How to Use Google Workspace with Gemini as Your AI-Powered Productivity Partner
Sept 22 | Mastering Small Business Financial Management – Keys to Growth and Profitability
Sept 24 | Using AI for Financial Management: Balancing AI Tools With Reliable Bookkeeping
Sept 29 | Beyond the Barcode: Manage Inventory, Navigate Retail Channels and Prepare to Scale
Oct 1 | Business Owner Compensation: How It Works for Sole Proprietors, Partnerships, and Corporations

Live and on-demand workshops led by SCORE mentors and business experts provide practical guidance to help entrepreneurs grow and manage their businesses effectively.

09/04/2026

Is your organization or institution working to strengthen Minnesota agriculture, horticulture or rural communities? Applications are now open for the AGRI Works Grant, with awards of $5,000 to $75,000 available for projects focused on development, education, research, or marketing.

📅 Apply by 4 p.m. on Oct. 29
🔗 Learn more at www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-opens-applications-agri-works-grant

09/03/2026

County fairs are a summer highlight for agriculture and in rural communities. These rural staples bring together people of all ages to learn, experience and see agriculture first-hand. And, it’s all thanks to volunteer boards who dedicate time and effort to keep fairgrounds in good condition.

Because of their importance to rural communities and agriculture, Compeer is dedicated to supporting county fairs in our 144-county territory. Selected applicants will receive up to $7,500 to improve and support facilities used for agricultural displays, livestock, youth exhibitors and outreach. Applications close Oct. 15. Learn more at https://ow.ly/ONn950ZIkJK

09/03/2026

We’re excited to share the Southwest Regional Development Commission’s FY26 Annual Report! Take a look back at a year of collaboration, investment, and progress across Southwest Minnesota. From community and economic development to transportation, energy, planning, and regional partnerships, the report highlights the many ways SRDC staff and partners are working together to build stronger communities and create new opportunities throughout our region.

📖 View the FY26 Annual Report on our website at https://www.swrdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-SRDC-annual-report.pdf.

09/02/2026

MDA Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant
Minnesota farmers and organizations have a new opportunity to test innovative agricultural practices through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) AGRI Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant.
The program will award up to $350,000, with grants of up to $50,000 available per project. Funding supports two- to three-year, on-farm research and demonstration projects focused on practices that could improve farm profitability or resource efficiency. Priority will be given to farmer-led projects.
Eligible applicants include Minnesota farmers, Tribal Nations and organizations, educational institutions, nonprofits, and local units of government. Past projects have explored cover crops, crop rotations, on-farm composting, livestock grazing, and new crop varieties.
Applications are due by 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. Learn more about eligibility, past projects, and how to apply through the MDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant webpage: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/.../agri-sustainable... See less

09/02/2026

The Taylor Family Farms Foundation invites applications from emergency service providers serving rural communities.
Applications will be accepted September 1-30, 2026, within 29 counties of southern Minnesota, and 17 counties of northwest Iowa.
Get all the details and apply: taylorfff.org/ See less