FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OWATONNA, Minn., Oct. 28, 2024 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently approved four grants totaling $39,531 to support inclusive and equitable efforts around entrepreneurship in southern Minnesota.

The purpose of this grant program is to support organizations which are providing direct resources and services to start and expand business opportunities within diverse and/or traditionally underserved populations in SMIF’s 20-county region.

The 2024 Inclusive and Equitable Entrepreneurial Communities Grant recipients are:

  • $10,000 to IgniteMN in Red Wing, formerly Red Wing Ignite, to empower underrepresented entrepreneurs with scholarship stipends and tailored supports to participate in programming to scale their businesses.
  • $10,000 to Region Nine Development Commission in Mankato to further their Grower’s Network through peer mentoring, networking and education to help underserved farmers overcome barriers, increase access to resources and grow their businesses.
  • $9,531 to Riverwalk Market Fair in Northfield for a scholarship program designed to reduce barriers to participating as vendors at the arts and farmers’ market for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and limited-resource farm households. This program will reduce or eliminate market fees and provide basic equipment.
  • $10,000 to Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism to expand the Engage Owatonna initiative to promote inclusion within the Owatonna business community and expand services to underserved business leaders.

“This grant program will empower organizations to support entrepreneurs who have been historically underserved,” said Pam Bishop, vice president of entrepreneurship at SMIF. “We are excited to see the selected recipients take meaningful steps toward removing barriers and building more inclusive entrepreneurial environments in our communities.”

To learn more about the Inclusive and Equitable Entrepreneurial Communities Grant visit smifoundation.org/inclusivegrant or contact Jennifer Heien, Entrepreneurship Administrative Coordinator, at 507-214-7040 or jenniferh@smifoundation.org.