Spring Valley EDA

Tools for Economic Growth in Spring Valley, Minnesota.

Spring Valley EDA News

Kiwanis honors Hailee Warren

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Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, January 29, 2026.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

By Gretchen Mensink-Lovejoy

 

The Spring Valley Kiwanis Club has recognized Hailee Warren as one of this year’s Kiwanis Academic Excellence Award recipients. She is the daughter of Rick and Julee Warren. The Kingsland senior is active in several extracurricular activities. “I am football manager, I’m in basketball, softball, Student Council, Key Club, FFA and National Honor Society. I like basketball the best. In the past, I’ve been in all of these and volleyball, cross country and track. My favorite subject is calculus, and my least favorite subject is English.”

Outside of school, she’s awaiting summertime so that she can get back to work. “I work at the Spring Valley pool as a lifeguard and water safety instructor. I like teaching kids how to swim. In my spare time, I hang out with friends and go shopping. My favorite movie is ‘Stepbrothers’ because it’s funny, and my favorite book is ‘The Last Thing

He Told Me’because I like mysteries. My biggest pet peeve is when people chew with their mouths open.” She listens to ‘everything’ in music, but she prefers pop rock and ‘80s tunes most, and she’s an adventurous traveler who went to Peru last summer. “I love sushi, but I tried guinea pig in Peru, and it was terrible. If I could travel to any country in the world, I would go to Italy or Greece. There is a lot to see and do there. If I could travel to any state, I’d live in South Carolina…they don’t get snow.”

The 17-year-old most admires her parents and grandparents. “They are hardworking and taught me many life lessons. If I could do one thing to change the world, I would make volunteering a graduation requirement. When I was younger, I wanted to be a trauma surgeon, but after I graduate, I want to be a dentist.”

The Kiwanis honored Hailee and her parents during a luncheon meeting earlier this winter. The club welcomes visitors who are interested in learning more about Kiwanis International to its weekly meetings held at noon on Wednesdays at the Spring Valley Community Center.

 

Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325

 

SMIF “Paint the Town Grant” Now Accepting Applications

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Image Credit: Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

OWATONNA, Minn., February 3, 2026 – Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is currently accepting applications for free paint and coating products for community mural, community welcome sign, historic structure or public art projects or to refresh public spaces in preparation for significant community milestone celebrations through its Paint the Town Grant program. This year, projects that lift up marginalized community members will be prioritized and the grant is open to all communities within SMIF’s 20-county region.

SMIF’s Paint the Town Grant Program is designed to build community collaboration with a unique and hands-on approach. SMIF donates up to 100 gallons of paint per project, with the goal of fostering inclusion through volunteer engagement, promotion of creativity, celebration of local pride and to enhance the beauty and interest of a space through community collaboration.

Public art projects include creative placemaking initiatives which incorporate the arts to create a place-based asset in a community. Examples may include painting a piano on a public, outdoor staircase, painting board games on public picnic tables, painting a pop-up park in an alleyway downtown or using paint on temporary or permanent art installations that enhance the vibrancy of a community.

“More than just beautifying, our Paint the Town Grant encourages communities to collaborate toward a shared vision of what they want their community to represent, remember and celebrate about themselves,” said Benya Kraus, SMIF president and CEO. “This kind of collaboration helps people take pride in where they live and unlocks creativity for what’s possible when we come together.”

To be eligible, organizations must be tax exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, units/agencies of local, state, or federal government and public schools/higher education institutions within SMIF’s region. All projects must demonstrate visual impact and be accessible to the public.

Since 1997, SMIF has distributed more than 11,314 gallons of paint to 337 projects in southern Minnesota through various programs. The Paint the Town Grant program was officially launched in 2015.

Applications are due to SMIF by March 3, 2026. For more information about the grant, and to see examples of public art and creative placemaking projects, visit smifoundation.org/paint. For questions regarding the application, contact Sarah Scheffert, communications and community vitality specialist, at sarahs@smifoundation.org or 507-214-7015.

CLICK HERE – To Learn about this Program

CLICK HERE – See if this is a good fit for your project

 

CEDA Rural Business Innovation Lab (RBIL) Applications now open

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For Immediate Release:

 

Applications are OPEN for RBIL’s Fourth Cohort!

CEDA is now accepting applications for the fourth cohort of its Rural Business Innovation Lab
(RBIL), a cohort-based entrepreneurial development program for rural businesses ready to
scale, expand into new markets and bring innovative products or services to market.

In just three years, RBIL has helped 34 businesses make significant strides in scaling their
operations, accessing financial resources, creating quality jobs in rural communities and
connecting with industry leaders.

Thanks to the generosity of our funders, RBIL is offered at no cost to participants. Applications
will be accepted through February 25th.

Participants receive:
● 8 months of personalized coaching tailored to your business
● Connection to a supportive network of rural entrepreneurs
● Hands-on workshops led by industry experts

Who should apply?
● Located in or planning to relocate to rural Minnesota or Wisconsin
● $10,000–$5,000,000 in annual revenue (with limited pre-revenue spots)
● Offering an innovative product or service
● Working toward a scalable, validated business model
● Underrepresented founders are strongly encouraged to apply

Apply Here: https://lnkd.in/gxSu6cUs

Ice, cold doesn’t stop runners

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Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, January 8, 2026.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

By David Phillips 

Several years ago, when I was running in Rochester with a group of friends, the trail around Silver Lake was so icy we had to run in the street, which brought us closer to the homes lining the south side of Silver Lake. As we neared Broadway Avenue, we heard the sound of someone call out “help” from one of those homes.

When we got closer, we saw an older woman on her side on an icy driveway that sloped to the street. She had gone out to check her mail and fell on the ice, which coated just about everything that day. She didn’t appear to be severely injured, but the ice on the slope of the driveway made it impossible for her to get upright again.

We helped her back into her home and asked if we should call an ambulance or contact someone who could help her. Her son lived nearby and after he arrived, we felt she was in good hands without any apparent repercussions from the fall.

After admonishing his mother for going out in the treacherous conditions, he thanked us and then said, “And, what were you people doing out in weather like this?”

We laughed sheepishly, unable to come up with a good answer. We went on our way, still laughing among ourselves that, yes, it was crazy to be out there trying to run on the ice-coated pavement.

However, that diagnosis hasn’t stopped us from continuing to go out in all kinds of conditions, whether it’s ice, subzero temperatures, rain or fog, to get our miles in.

In a way, we have almost the same unofficial motto as postal carriers:” Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” That incident resurfaced in my mind around the time of Spring Valley’s Christmas on Historic Broadway. I organize a winter fun run called the Frozen Feet 4k for the celebration. This year, we had warm conditions that melted snow and even brought some slight rain before a cold snap prior to the Saturday of our celebration. The warmer conditions were zapped by a sudden cold front, leaving a coating of ice throughout the city, while the cold snap meant the temperature during the celebration hovered around zero, with the feel-like temperature dipping well below zero.

I shortened the course to just one mile due to the ice and extreme cold, but still wondered if anyone would show up. I shouldn’t have worried, as runners make up a pretty dedicated group of people. We ended up with 12 who braved the cold and ice.

I decided to contact them by email after the race to see why they came out in the poor conditions, which kept other people from even venturing outside the house for more low-key events that weekend.

Three runners from Spring Valley responded. They did a good job summing up the various reasons to get out in terrible conditions during the 11th edition of a local running event that supports the Kingsland Youth Football program.

“I have participated in every Frozen Feet run since it started,” said Pam Phillips. “The cold does not bother me, but the icy surface was an issue this year. It’s a nice addition to the Christmas on Broadway celebration, and all proceeds go to a local group.”

“I love attending small-town running events to support local organizations and fundraisers — it always feels like one big family gathering. I’m an avid runner and participate in multiple races each year, but running in smaller communities is my favorite,” said Angie Gensmer.

“I ran this race because I haven’t missed one since I started running, and because I truly believe you can run in any temperature with the right attire — especially for a shorter distance. I duct-tape the toes of my shoes to help keep the heat in and the water out, and I wear multiple layers so I can peel them off as I warm up along the way.

“This year’s run was definitely a challenge, but watching everyone who showed up at the starting line made my heart happy. Some were dressed in Christmas attire, others in full overalls — but everyone had BIG smiles, ready to take on the challenge together.”

“I would say, I need to keep running for my physical health and my sanity,” said Bill Mettler. “When the weather is really extreme, I like the challenge of it. I like doing things that most people won’t do.”

 

Bill also answered for his son, Paul, who ran through the ice and cold: “Paul would say, ‘Dad made me.’”

As a PS, Mettler joked, “Also, I’m trying to keep up with Dave Phillips.” I’ve probably provided enough evidence to prove that may not be a wise goal.

 

Cutline:

Frozen Feet race runners line up at the starting line Saturday, Dec. 13, in downtown Spring Valley. Runners quoted in this column are Paul Mettler, left, and the three runners on the right, Angie Gensmer in Santa suit, Bill Mettler and Pam Phillips.

 

Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325

 

Kingsland Drama Club Presents Winter Play

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Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, January 8, 2026.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy

Step into our rooms and have a seat. The doctor will be with you soon.

Poe good to see you…

“The play we’ve chosen is ‘The Infamous Soothing System of Professor Maillard,’ and it’s adapted by Raleigh Marcell, Jr., based on Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether,” stated Kingsland Drama Club advisor Sarah Kohn, anticipating the moment that Kingsland’s thespians take the stage to perform a play that raises questions about who’s in charge and what will happen next.

Kohn related, “This is the second year in a row we’ve done an Edgar Allan Poe adapted play, although this one is a little lighter than last year’s. The setting is an asylum, and who knows who’s running the place…this is giving the actors a lot of characters to work with, as one thinks they are a piece of cheese, another one – a chicken, one – a frog, another – a bottle of champagne, and on and on.”

He stated, “The cast includes Reyna Campbell, Haleigh Hyde, Abigail Carlson, Tessah Kovarik, Emma Haddad, Josianna Shepard-Kuch, Mason Klomps, Katelyn Mlinar, Josh Potter, Maddie Horton, Brody Beer, Scarlett Marcom and Emily Sargent.”

Kohn invited the community to support the Kingsland Drama Club’s actors through attending the production’s staging at the Spring Valley Community Center. “We will have our public performance on Sunday, January 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Spring Valley Community Center, with a $5 charge for adults and students. The show runs about 30 minutes.”

 

Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325

 

Amex Shop Small Grant Program accepting applications through January 16th (Small Business Grant up to $20,000)

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Information taken from Mainstreet.org 

 

The Amex Shop Small Grants Program, in partnership with American Express®, will fund more than 500 grants of $20,000 each, empowering small businesses to grow, innovate, and support their local communities. The program was initially launched with a $5 million contribution, and as a result of its giving pledge for eligible transactions made on Small Business Saturday®, American Express will now contribute an additional $5.1 million to the program – totaling over $10 million in grants.

The Amex Shop Small Grants Program reflects the shared commitment of American Express and Main Street America to champion small businesses that strengthen communities and help local economies thrive. Applications are currently open and will close on Friday, January 16, 2026 at 11:59 CT.

Recipients will have a 6‑month period in which to complete their projects, so applicants are encouraged to prepare a ​“ready-to-execute” project plan and a detailed, itemized budget. During that period, Main Street America will provide opportunities for grant recipients to connect and network with each other, complete self-guided e-learning courses, and share the story of their business and their Amex Shop Small Grants Program project journey with a variety of audiences.

Learn more and apply at Mainstreet.org and make sure check out the Spring Valley EDA Grant Qualification Checklist to help determine if this grant program might be a good fit for your small business, as only the businesses are eligible to apply. (these cannot be submitted by non-profits on behalf of the business entity)

Still have questions? Reach out via email to director@springvalleyeda.org.