SMIF CEOs Visit Preston

The Preston community hosted newly retired SMIF (Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation) CEO Tim Penny and SMIF’s new CEO Benya Kraus July 18 at F&M Community Bank. Penny and Kraus were on the third day of their six day road trip to visit the 20 counties served by SMIF.

Penny, who recently retired as SMIF CEO, introduced his replacement, Benya Kraus. Penny shared that the SMIF board had searched for a person with connections to the area and a passion for the region. Kraus filled the requirements well.

Kraus comes from a sixth generation of farmers in Waseca. She calls both Waseca and Bangkok Thailand her home; her mother came from a farm family in Thailand. Right after college, Benya co-founded Lead for America with Joe Nail. Lead for America is a national service organization focused on developing leaders and encouraging young people to return to their hometowns to contribute to local leadership. Benya then returned to Waseca to create a chapter in her own hometown.

Penny, who himself comes from a five generation farm, shared that he had known Benya’s family for 50 years.

Kraus exclaimed, “This is truly my dream job!” As she added that she is closing soon on a home in Harmony. She went on, “I’ve long admired the history and foundation of SMIF.”

Although Penny claimed he’d be totally out of SMIF after the road trip with Benya, she declared, “I’d be a fool to have Tim Penny out of the picture!”

Penny reminded the group of the three main focuses of SMIF — early childhood, business lending and training programs and small town support with a focus on all small towns in the region, in particular the small town grant program and the small town paint program. He informed the group that training for community fund leaders would be occurring this fall.

Preston’s community leaders shared how SMIF had helped their organizations and detailed what they do in Preston. Dan Christianson, CEO of F&M Community Bank, started with SMIF when it first started. He noted that Tim Penny helped narrow the focus of SMIF.

Brenda Reicks, a director on the Preston Area Community Foundation Board, spoke of the many projects it supports such as the appreciation picnic, Give to the Max and a silent auction. The Foundation supports the schools, ball parks and the museum. The Foundation has been in existence since 1998; this past year they raised between $25,000 and $30,000 for the community.

Preston City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton added that the Foundation had been very supportive of the city. A $25,000 grant from the Taylor Foundation is being used for signage to encourage visitors to Preston. Seven or eight years ago, SMIF had provided $6,500 for a mural project on the city hall/library.

Michelle Marotzke, Preston/Lanesboro EDA Director, explained that assorted community groups had volunteered to paint the mural. She noted that lots of people stop by to see it. She also pointed out that SMIF had helped pay for the boxcar at the museum and a grant for the elevator.

The group noted that the Community Foundation was used as a conduit for funding for the veterans home.

Mayor Kurt Reicks spoke about SMIF’s help with the veterans cemetery and in the project to continue the trail to Forestville.

Fillmore County Commissioner Duane Bakke pointed out that Preston was always good at getting things done together and that Lanesboro is doing more as well.

Charles Aug shared that SMIF was a supporter for the Riverfront project; over $400,000 was raised for the project in a short six months.

Penny pointed out that of the 33 Community Foundations in the SMIF region, seven were in Fillmore County.

Benya asked what the opportunities were when the small towns come together. Having the common trail has brought the towns together was the first answer. Penny noted the friendly rivalry of the towns. Marotzke commented that it is interesting how each community has its own personality. She coined the term “coopertion” for their relationship, explaining that they cooperate but there is also competition. Working together on the infrastructure side helps also.

“Branding this entire region is big,” Penny declared. “We’re getting there!”

Kraus also asked about challenges ahead. Marotzke felt education for entrepreneurs as well as succession planning for small businesses and infrastructure was important. Aug looked to the housing issue, topography and staffing issues for the veterans home.

Steve Harris mentioned the number of homes especially in Lanesboro that have been converted into short term rentals; this then causes a shortage of single family homes.

Kraus thanked the group for all she’d learned about the work Preston and SMIF have done together. Following a group photo and a quick trip to see the mural outside city hall/library, Penny and Kraus continued on their road trip to introduce Benya to more of the SMIF region — next stop, Rushford.