Promoting Growth
& Opportunities for
Southwest Minnesota
We work to connect units of government, businesses, and communities with the resources, planning, and services needed to promote growth. Together we can further opportunities in Southwest Minnesota by promoting a growing workforce and business base and ensuring population stability.
Providing professional expertise and leadership to enhance regional opportunities.
At Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC), we are listeners and connectors to help you find the resources needed to address your concerns. Together we can channel progressive collaboration between cities, counties, and townships so that shared knowledge and resources can be used to help you and the region prepare for a future where people and businesses thrive.
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A growing workforce and business base.
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Better lives for those living in the region.
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Population stability.
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Significant needs addressed that are challenging the region.
Economic
Development
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, DevelopMN, Revolving Loan Funds, Technical Assistance
Transportation
Planning
Active Living & Trails Planning, Human Services Transit Coordination Planning, Safe Routes to School
News
Upcoming Events
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Looking to grow your business or organization, solve a problem in your community, or progress your organization?
Our assistance is tailored to your needs. Southwest Regional Development Commission provides assistance to projects that support, enhance, or address the region's needs. We work with your team on planning, facilitation, data collection, research, grant writing, outreach assistance, and more.
The Region We Serve
The Southwest Regional Development Commission serves the nine-county region of Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood and Rock in the far southwest corner of Minnesota.
Since 1973, SRDC has worked with and on behalf of these counties, their cities, townships, school districts, and public interest groups. These partnerships and the leveraging of resources throughout the region have led to the advancement of programs in the areas of community, economic, energy, transportation, and land use development.
Lincoln County
Lyon County
Redwood County
Pipestone County
Murray County
Cottonwood County
Rock County
Nobles County
Jackson County
SRDC Regional Spotlight
Langseth Lodge: Rooted in History, Renewed by Vision
Worthington, MN
Hoppe Airspray – Built for the Field, Backed by Family
Spencer, Iowa
Adrian Auto – Keeping Adrian Running
Adrian, MN
Social Media Updates
During a visit to Bolt’s Grocery in Lake Benton, Senator Amy Klobuchar met with owners Bill and Kelly Bolt, local leaders, banking representatives, and SRDC staff to discuss the critical role rural grocery stores play in sustaining small communities. The conversation highlighted the economic challenges facing independent grocery stores, including razor-thin profit margins, aging infrastructure, rising operational costs, and the increasing difficulty of securing traditional financing for upgrades and repairs. Bill and Kelly Bolt shared the story of purchasing the grocery store shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. Kelly explained that despite limited financial resources, support from the city’s EDA, local banks, Southwest Initiative Foundation, and other partners helped make ownership possible. Since then, the Bolts have invested heavily in improving the store, including new refrigeration systems, updated coolers, energy improvements, and expanded inventory to better serve the community. Grants and financing programs, including SRDC-supported PACE financing and other rural grocery assistance grants, were described as essential to keeping the business operational. The discussion emphasized how rural grocery stores often serve far beyond their traditional retail role. Bolt’s Grocery supports a community of approximately 600 residents year-round, which swells to more than 3,000 people during the summer camping season. The store provides groceries, bait, propane, senior meals, grocery delivery for shut-ins, fresh meat processing, bakery items, deli foods, and acts as a social gathering space for residents. The owners explained that without the store, residents would need to travel 20 miles or more for basic necessities. SRDC Communications Specialist Robin Wise discussed SRDC’s involvement in supporting the business through economic development programs, including the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program and revolving loan funds supported through federal Economic Development Administration and USDA funding. SRDC staff also assisted the Bolts in identifying and applying for grants that funded energy-efficient upgrades and refrigeration improvements. Local banking representatives and community leaders praised the Bolts’ commitment to the community, noting that rural economic development often depends on partnerships, character lending, and collaboration among local governments, lenders, and development organizations. Senator Klobuchar acknowledged the importance of maintaining rural grocery access, supporting tourism, and investing in infrastructure and grant programs that help small-town businesses remain viable.
