The MinnWest Podcast

Business Development + Childcare w/ Scott Marquardt from SWIF

Episode Summary

We are thrilled to have Scott Marquardt, Senior Vice President of the Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) joining us on today's episode. Scott has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to economic development in rural MN. He manages the foundation’s business finance, entrepreneurship, child care, career pathways, Employer Resource Network, and general economic development programs and initiatives, in addition to having roles with farmland management and as staff liaison to the Investment Committee. We get into all of it - in a very approachable manner - on today's episode!

Episode Notes

Discussion Topics:

• An overview of SWIF + some of the big ways they help rural communities
• The childcare crisis post-pandemic
• SWIF's history + partnership with MinnWest Technology Campus
• What is a site selector? What do they do for our region?
• Gap financing + loan opportunities for small businesses

Learn more about the Southwest Initiative Foundation: swifoundation.org

Learn more about MinnWest Campus: www.mnwesttechnology.com

Connect with Scott or Joanna or on Linkedin