D Mike’s is more than just a restaurant—it’s a testament to the power of dreams, hard work, and community spirit. This story is not just about great food; it’s about a family’s journey to bring their dream to life. A Dream Years in the Making For Mike and Kellie Daniels, owners of D Mike’s, the…
Our lifestyles, ways of gathering, and communities are changing, and leaders in Alexandria, Minnesota, are working hard to keep up. On the second Tuesday of every month, the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission host events to help residents who work or attend college in town integrate into the…
Summer is in full swing, which means it is patio season in west central Minnesota! What better way to celebrate than visiting some of our region’s finest local breweries and wineries? At West Central Initiative, we’re dedicated to supporting these vibrant businesses and helping them grow and thrive in our communities. Grab your friends, find…
Eight local nonprofits received grants of up to $75,000 West Central Initiative was selected by the Otto Bremer Trust as a philanthropic intermediary partner to administer and distribute funds through its new Community Responsive Fund. “West Central Initiative awarded grants to eight outstanding organizations serving west central Minnesota. These organizations have shown their capability to…
West Central Initiative awarded $700,000 in grants to 46 organizations working across west central Minnesota to address sustainability, equity, rural social isolation, and rural democracy. “The quality and breadth of the important work being done by these grant recipients in our region is inspiring,” said Director of Development Rebecca Lynn Petersen. “This year, we’ve more…
Haga clic aquí para español. Ana Cecilia Villela, the founder of the retail store Cielito Lindo, began her business in a corner of a room in her home. Quickly, the business took over that room and then more of the house, growing into her current location in Morris City Center Mall. Cielito Lindo sells clothes…
Olivia Daniels has joined West Central Initiative as our Summer 2024 Climate Resilience Fellow as part of Ampact’s Summer Impact Corps. Ampact is a national nonprofit that specializes in managing and scaling high-quality AmeriCorps programs, offering evidence-based initiatives in three focus areas: education, environment, and healthy futures. Olivia will focus on implementing sustainable community initiatives…
It’s one o’clock on an April Tuesday afternoon in Vergas, and local Lions Club members gather in a neighborhood garage. It’s a party-like atmosphere, laughing, chatting, as a dozen Lions grab bulging plastic garbage bags from truck beds and car trunks that just arrived, walking them into the garage where they toss them onto a…
West Central Initiative is pleased to announce the appointment of Trevor Gervais as the organization’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This key appointment reflects West Central Initiative’s commitment to enhancing its financial strategies and ensuring sustainable growth for the organization and the region it serves. Trevor Gervais brings a wealth of expertise in financial management, having…
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