Small Town Grant Spotlight: Montgomery Arts and Heritage Center
In 2024, the Montgomery Arts and Heritage Center was awarded a $10,000 Small Town Grant to create a walking tour along their main street.
Small Town Grant Spotlight: City of New Prague
In 2023, the City of New Prague was awarded a $6,630.75 Small Town Grant from SMIF to enhance their Southside Park disc golf course.
New Prague Shows Appreciation for Child Care Providers
Heather Sanders, early learning supervisor at New Prague Area Schools, recently helped plan an early child care provider appreciation event sponsored by SMIF.
Feeling Valued
Running a child care business comes with its own set of unique challenges. For Brenda Novack, owner of Little Wonders Child Care in Waterville, the ability to connect with peers and advance her professional development through SMIF's Early Childhood trainings has helped her feel valued as a professional in this field.
Loan Client Spotlight: BamaSota BBQ
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation gave a Small Enterprise Loan to Mike and Denise Reeser in 2020 to start their barbeque business, based in New Prague. They now run BamaSota BBQ, a popular local food truck that caters events all throughout the area.
REV Spotlight: Montgomery
How to jumpstart your economy in a small town? The Rural Entrepreneurial Ventures (REV) group in Montgomery recently shared their experience with the program.
Donor spotlight: Paul Johnson and his family
Paul Johnson made southern Minnesota's smallest a communities a focus of his philanthropic goals. His three children are now carrying his legacy forward by supporting SMIF's Small Town Grant program.
Voices of our region: Mick and Liz’s story
I have always felt fortunate to have grown up in a rural Minnesota community and to be able to experience all that it has to offer. As we go through life, we start thinking, “Is there something I can do to make this hometown an even better place?”
