News

Report: Cooperatives Provide 72.7% of Fiber Broadband in Rural Areas

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Cooperatives are playing a key role in bringing fiber broadband to rural America, according to a new report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR). Nearly three quarters (72%) of the fiber broadband in the rural U.S. was deployed by a cooperative, according to ILSR. These cooperatives are comprised primarily of companies that traditionally provided telecom or electric service, although a few were established with the specific goal of deploying fiber broadband. Read full article.

CTC starts building better broadband to parts of Todd County

Sunday, December 01, 2019

CTC recently hosted a groundbreaking event on May 20th in Browerville. CTC was the only telecommunications company in Minnesota in 2018 to be awarded the Community Connect grant bringing broadband services to rural Minnesota. Read full article.

Why We Support Todd County Businesses on Small Business Saturday

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

For many people in our community, their favorite shopping memories have occurred when visiting a small business downtown. There is something special about shopping at a local store where the owners greet you by name, swap stories with you and ask about the kids. You can’t find that experience everywhere, but you can find it here. Small Business Saturday is an opportunity to recognize local small businesses for the positive contribution they make to our lives – during the holidays and all year long. Why We Support Todd County Businesses on Small Business Saturday Ideally, community members would shop local all yea...

70% of Small Businesses Will Change Hands in Next 10 - 15 Years

Tuesday, November 05, 2019

Sixty percent of small businesses are currently owned by people who were born prior to 1964 (University of Minnesota , 2019). It is estimated that over the next 15 years, 70 percent of privately-owned businesses will be sold or transferred to new owners (Giltner, 2019). This trend will impact everyone, but rural communities need to pay extra attention to the number of business owners planning to retire and help them to create succession plans. “The health of small businesses is critical to rural economies. They not only provide jobs but also important goods and services needed for rural quality o...

Lakewood Committed to Eagle Bend

Friday, October 25, 2019

Lakewood Remains Committed to Serving Eagle Bend Community Staples, MN – September 27, 2019 — CentraCare Health recently made the decision to stop providing healthcare services at the Eagle Valley clinic, which has been a shared venture with Lakewood Health System since 2003. This decision will take effect November 1, 2019. CentraCare Health’s decision DOES NOT impact the care and services provided by Lakewood Health System. We remain committed to serving the Eagle Bend community. For more information contact AMBER HOUSELOG amberhouselog@lakewoodhealthsystem.com Lakewood Health System TEL 218-894-8818

Agua Gorda Cooperative is the Recipient of Todd County’s Emerging Business Award

Monday, October 14, 2019

Agua Gorda Cooperative (Cooperative) is the recipient of the 2019 Todd County Emerging Business Award. The Cooperative provides a way for Latino farmers to acquire and work their own land, reaping the full benefits of their labor. The farmer/members of the Cooperative have created a sustainable business, and future for their families. We are pleased to acknowledge their entrepreneurial spirit and the results of their hard work by honoring them with the ‘Emerging Business’ award. For Javier Garcia, co-owner of the Cooperative, this is the second award he has accepted in 2019, having also won the 2019 ‘Todd County Farm Famil...

What Businesses Are Saying About the Entrepreneurial Program at Bertha-Hewitt Schools

Wednesday, September 04, 2019

Bertha-Hewitt public schools have implemented an entrepreneurial program that gives students the skills necessary to start and run a business - both for themselves and for local employers. “We want them to learn all aspects of running a business that will help them be more employable to fill jobs in our region,” said Eric Koep, Superintendent of the Bertha-Hewitt Public Schools. It’s working. Students Learn About Finance, Sales, Marketing and Production Students are graduating after having learned about finance, sales, marketing and running operations. The program ensures they are well rounded in their business knowledge by the time they graduate. This way...

Bertha-Hewitt Public Schools Are Training Future Entrepreneurs and Skilled Workers

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Students at the Bertha-Hewitt public schools undergo a rigorous academic curriculum designed to prepare them for college or technical school. They also learn how to be entrepreneurs. “We believe teaching students about entrepreneurship will help them in whichever path they choose after school. We want to show students that they can be successful right here in our community. We don’t expect all of them to start their own businesses; we want them to learn all aspects of running a business that will help them be more employable to fill jobs in our region,” said Eric Koep, Superintendent of the Bertha-Hewit...

Business Succession Planning Lunch and Learn Series: Long Prairie

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Free September/October Business Succession-Transition workshops Todd County Development Corporation (TCDC), through a grant from the Initiative Foundation, is presenting a series of “Lunch and Learn” workshops on “Business Succession/Transition” in Long Prairie. Our four-part series will cover general, legal, accounting and financial planning considerations your business whether you are buying, selling, retiring or transferring ownership to a family member or partner. These sessions will feature a professional who will discuss key focus areas to consider and be available for questions and answers. All sessions are “Free” with lunch provided. Please RSVP to Rick at 320-732-2128 or rick.utech@co.todd.mn.us

Business Succession Planning Lunch and Learn Series: Staples

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Free September/October Business Succession-Transition workshops Todd County Development Corporation (TCDC), through a grant from the Initiative Foundation, is presenting a series of “Lunch and Learn” workshops on “Business Succession/Transition” in Staples. Our four-part series will cover general, legal, accounting and financial planning considerations your business whether you are buying, selling, retiring or transferring ownership to a family member or partner. These sessions will feature a professional who will discuss key focus areas to consider and be available for questions and answers. All sessions are “Free” with lunch provided. Please RSVP to Rick at 320-732-2128 or rick.utech@co.todd.mn.us

Free September/October Business Succession-Transition workshops

Thursday, August 22, 2019

“Why does Business Succession/Transition matter?" The Small Business Administration has estimated that 60% of small businesses will change ownership over the next 10 years. According to a recent survey, 58% have not created a specific plan. Todd County Development Corporation (TCDC), through a grant from the Initiative Foundation, is presenting a series of “Lunch and Learn” workshops on “Business Succession/Transition” in both Long Prairie and Staples. Our four-part series will cover general, legal, accounting and financial planning considerations your business whether you are buying, selling, retiring or transferring ownership to a family member or partner. These sessions will feature a professional wh...