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Welcome to Lac qui Parle County
The mission of the Lac qui Parle County Economic Development Authority is to be the catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and improving the quality of life in Lac qui Parle County.
We are here to:
- Help local businesses
- Introduce the rest of the world to LqP
- Support young entrepreneurs
We have a few ongoing programs:
Please contact us for more information!
Webinar Sep 29: Is Your Business in the Black or In The Dark?
Free webinar from SCORE – Is Your Business in the Black or In The Dark?
Thursday, September 29 at 2 pm EDT / 11am PDT
This webinar, sponsored by Intuit, will help keep your business out of the dark. Internationally recognized Quickbooks expert Stacy Kidal will help you identify the key numbers on which the success – or failure – of your business turns. And then show you how to use those numbers to guide your day-to-day activities and decision-making.
Webinar Sep 22: The Value of Time Management – A Business Asset
New Webinar from SCORE – The Value of Time Management – A Business Asset
Thursday, September 22 at 1 pm EDT / 10am PDT
Time is money and making money takes time! Join this interactive webinar (presented in alliance with National Urban League) to learn effective time management skills that you can immediate incorporate into your business and day-to-day operations.
Do you have a great solar story? We know a contest for you!
CERTs, in partnership with the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA), is running a Solar Video Contest leading up to the Midwest Gateway to Solar Conference November 15-16.
You submit up to 3 solar videos before Oct. 17, vote for your favorites between Oct. 17 and Nov. 9, and then winners are announced and prizes given out Nov. 16 at the MnSEIA Midwest Gateway to Solar Conference. The videos with the most votes win: $500 for first, $300 for second, and $200 for third.
We encourage you to submit. It would be fun to have representation from Lac qui Parle County!
Free webinar: Building a Solid Foundation: Aligning Philanthropy and Economic Development Sep 13
Date: September 13, 2016
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm ET
Price: Free
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 13 at 11:00 am ET
Instructions will be emailed on Monday, September 12
Questions? Please contact webinar@iedconline.org
Learn more
Foundations are increasing their support of comprehensive, high-return, and sustainable economic development activities. In fact, a recent survey conducted by IEDC found that 44 percent of EDOs currently receive financial or in-kind support (non-cash contributions) from a foundation. While foundations do not typically provide direct support, many foundations support economic development by providing grants for strategic economic plans, place-based marketing programs, entrepreneurial development, land banking, and workforce development initiatives.
This webinar is funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and will share how philanthropic organizations are supporting economic development initiatives. The speakers will share perspectives from an EDO and community foundation on how to better align economic development and philanthropic efforts.
You will learn:
• How various communities engage with philanthropic partners
• The various ways foundations strategically support economic development activities
• Best practices for securing foundation grants and building relationships with philanthropic organizations
Got a good recipe? Maybe you can start a business like the Velvet Bees did!
Love the story Velvet Bees in Minnesota Business Magazine…
Krista and Steve Aspinwalls’ story begins during a rough patch in 2010 — with the economy on the downturn. The couple decided to leave their home in New Mexico for Krista’s native Minnesota, hoping that the traditionally thriving, innovative Twin Cities would be kind to them. Krista’s mother provided the couple with the idea for Velvet Bees Honey Butter. “My mom was making honey butter to give to friends and family and sell at church for a little extra cash,” Krista says. “She gave us this old, old recipe. It came from a church cookbook that she found way up in northern Minnesota. Well, the recipe stuck and we got our license and started selling it at farmers markets and craft shows in 2011. The rest, as they say, is history.” The couple began KAFFA Family Foods and started working out of a shared commercial kitchen in St. Paul, originally selling to farmer’s markets and other small retailers.
Read more and see if you can’t start the first chapter in a similar success story right here in LQP!
Free webinar: Story Maps Tell the Tale of Your Community
Date: September 8, 2016
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm ET
Price: Free
Registration Deadline: September 8 at 11:00 am ET
Instructions will be emailed on September 7
Questions? Please contact webinar@iedconline.org
Learn more
Maps are an excellent tool for conveying complex information in an intuitive way. Esri Story Maps combine digital maps with multi-media elements like imagery, text, audio, and video to create interactive presentations that work for you on the Web 24/7. All without a need for programming or GIS training. Economic development organizations challenged to remain competitive increasingly turn to Story Maps to inform, engage, and inspire people with the benefits of their communities.
This webinar will share how and why economic development organizations leverage storytelling with maps to communicate information on business sites, development projects, key industries, events, community attractions, destination branding and much more. Learn how you can use Story Maps to enliven your web presence, as a target marketing vehicle, and to reduce reliance on costly print media. Watch us easily create several Story Maps during the course of this session.
You will learn:
• Why EDOs turn to storytelling and technology to sell their communities
• How to easily turn spreadsheet data into dynamic Story Maps
• Resources to get started authoring Story Maps today
ATTENTION FARMERS – In search of Energy savings and renewable technology!!!
You are invited to attend a special event Thursday, September 8 at the West Central Research & Outreach Center in Morris to learn more about using energy efficient technology and renewable systems to generate savings and return on investment for your farm. The program will provide insights as to energy production and efficiency opportunities for farms, and specific information on how to get started with energy-saving and renewable technology.
There is no cost to attend, and lunch will be provided. We ask that if possible, you RSVP to attend by emailing me or MNAgEnergyRoundtable@gmail.com.
The forum, hosted by the MN Ag/Energy Roundtable, will also include a briefing on key energy policy issues impacting rural Minnesota, and a discussion on the relationship between energy and sustainability for farmers and agribusinesses.
WHAT: Farm Energy Forum
WHEN: Thursday, September 8; 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
WHERE: West Central Research & Outreach Center
University of Minnesota-Morris
46352 State Highway 329
Morris, MN 56267