Martin County MN Economic Development Authority

09/29/2026

✨ WE’RE GETTING CLOSE! ✨

The Child Care Provider Appreciation Night & Open House is coming up October 8th, and we are so excited to celebrate the incredible child care providers serving families throughout Martin and Faribault Counties!

Take a peek at the evening’s agenda! We have a wonderful group of speakers joining us, along with dinner, raffles, resources, and a few extra touches we’ve been working on to make the evening special.

This night is about saying THANK YOU to the people who make childhood magical every single day.

Thursday, October 8
Doors Open at 5:45 PM | Program Begins at 6:15 PM
Grace Lutheran Church | Fairmont

Licensed providers, there is still time to register! We would LOVE to have you join us for an evening created especially for you.

And if you’ve ever considered becoming a licensed child care provider, our Open House is a great opportunity to connect with local and regional resources, ask questions, and learn more about getting started.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

09/22/2026

✨ THANK YOU FOR MAKING CHILDHOOD MAGICAL! ✨

Child care providers do so much more than provide care—they support our children, families, workforce, and communities every single day. On October 8, we’re coming together to celebrate them!

Join us for Child Care Provider Appreciation Night & Open House from 6–8 PM at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairmont.

Current child care providers: Come enjoy an evening created to celebrate YOU—with dinner, resources, networking, gifts, and more!

Interested in becoming a licensed provider? You’re invited too! Stop in, meet local resources, ask questions, and learn more about what it takes to get started.

📅 October 8 | 6–8 PM
📍 Grace Lutheran Church, Fairmont

Current providers, don’t forget to register using the QR code on the flyer!

Because the people who care for our littlest community members deserve a little magic, too. ✨💜

09/19/2026

🌎🧹 Happy National Clean Up Day!

A little care goes a long way in keeping our communities great places to live, work, visit, and do business.

Today is a great reminder that we all play a role in taking care of the places we call home. Pick up a little litter, tidy up around your business or property, or lend a hand in a community space that could use some extra attention.

Small efforts add up to a cleaner, more welcoming community we can all be proud of. 💚

Thank you to everyone who does their part to keep Martin County looking its best!

09/18/2026

🔨 Happy National Tradesmen Day! 🛠️

Today, we recognize the skilled tradespeople who help build, repair, maintain, and strengthen our communities.

From electricians and plumbers to carpenters, mechanics, welders, HVAC technicians, construction professionals, and so many others—these careers are essential to our local businesses, homes, infrastructure, and economy.

Thank you to the hardworking tradesmen and women throughout our communities for the skill, dedication, and expertise you bring to the job every day.

Your work keeps our communities moving forward!

09/17/2026

🌐RURAL MARTIN COUNTY RESIDENTS: NEED BETTER INTERNET? ADD YOUR ADDRESS! 🌐

If your home or business does not have wired internet service of at least 100 Mbps download / 20 Mbps upload, you may qualify for Minnesota’s Broadband Line Extension Connection Program.

WHY SIGN UP?

Your address helps the State of Minnesota identify where broadband service is still needed.

Approximately every six months, submitted addresses are shared with broadband providers. Providers, including our local broadband partner Federated Broadband, may then have the opportunity to bid for state grant funding to extend broadband infrastructure to unserved locations.

If we don't identify where the need is, it's harder to bring resources to those areas.

HOW TO SIGN UP

Add your home or business address through Minnesota DEED's Line Extension Connection Program:

Add Your Address & Learn More

Need help or prefer a paper application?
651-259-7610
[email protected]

IMPORTANT!

Apply once! If your address isn't funded in a grant round, it automatically remains in the pool for future rounds.

Do NOT submit your address multiple times. Duplicate entries may be flagged and potentially removed.

Submitting your address does not guarantee an extension — but getting your address into the system is an important first step toward bringing better broadband to rural Martin County.

Please share this with your rural neighbors, farms and businesses that may need better internet access!



https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/2e1617eadd034cc3a533ae72c9c1c487

09/15/2026

Happy National IT Professionals Day!

Today, we recognize the IT professionals who keep our businesses, organizations, schools, and communities connected and running smoothly—often working behind the scenes to solve problems before the rest of us even know they exist!

From cybersecurity and networks to troubleshooting that dreaded “Have you tried turning it off and back on again?” moment, your skills are essential to the way we work and do business.

Thank you to the IT professionals throughout our communities for keeping us connected, secure, and moving forward! 🖥️🔧

09/11/2026

September 11, 2001 — 25 Years Later

Twenty-five years ago, our nation experienced a tragedy that changed us forever.

On this anniversary, the Martin County EDA joins communities across the country in remembering the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and honoring the first responders, service members, and countless individuals who answered tragedy with courage and selflessness.

We remember, too, the incredible sense of unity that followed — people looking out for one another, lending a hand, and putting differences aside to support their neighbors.

As we mark 25 years, may we carry that spirit forward in the communities we call home.

Today, we remember those we lost, honor those who served, and remain grateful for those who continue to serve our communities and country.

Never forgotten.

09/09/2026

09/08/2026

Grant Opportunities from SMIF! ✨

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is currently accepting applications for three grant opportunities that could support child care and community improvement projects in our region:

✨ Early Care & Education Grant — Supports services that enhance the quality of early learning environments for children birth to age five.

✨ Taylor Rural Childcare Grant — Supports child care capital improvement projects for providers caring for children birth to age five in communities with populations under 30,000.

✨ Taylor Rural Improvements Grant — Supports capital projects that create or enhance community gathering spaces in communities with populations under 10,000.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public institutions, and units or agencies of local, state, federal, and Tribal government.

📅 Applications are due October 6!

Interested in applying? Reach out to the EDA! We are happy to help local organizations explore these opportunities, determine whether a project may be a good fit, and provide assistance as you work through the application process.

https://smifoundation.org/.../smif-seeks-applications.../

SMIF is currently accepting applications for three grants!

✨Early Care and Education Grant: Services that enhance the quality of early learning environments for children birth to age five.
✨Taylor Rural Childcare Grant: Childcare capital improvement projects for providers caring for children birth to age five in communities with populations under 30,000.
✨Taylor Rural Improvements Grant: Capital projects that support the creation or enhancement of community gathering spaces in communities with populations under 10,000.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public institutions and units or agencies of local, state, federal and Tribal government are encouraged to apply.

✨Apply by Oct. 6! https://smifoundation.org/blog/2026/08/smif-seeks-applications-for-three-grants/

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

Today, we recognize the hardworking people who keep our businesses, farms, organizations, and communities moving forward. Thank you to the workers, employers, entrepreneurs, and community members whose dedication helps our region grow and thrive.

In observance of Labor Day, the EDA office will be closed Monday, September 7, and will reopen during regular business hours on Tuesday.

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Labor Day! ❤️🤍💙