Collette Turcotte wants to welcome everyone to Freeborn County, and she is asking for local businesses to help her open the door.

Monday, April 23, 2001

Collette Turcotte wants to welcome everyone to Freeborn County, and she is asking for local businesses to help her open the door.

Turcotte hopes to open a Newcomer’s Resource Center to make sure any new county resident will know they are welcome in the area, and can find the jobs and services they need.

&uot;To (help them) learn the rules and ways of the community,&uot; she said. &uot;To be invited to the community and to be linked to jobs and opportunities.&uot;

On Tuesday, she will approach the Albert Lea and Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce board to ask for their help. She hopes local businesses will purchase memberships to help make the center, and their own ventures, successful.

Member businesses will support the center with dues and services, Turcotte said. In return, those businesses will reach new residents.

The Chamber diversity committee has been working on ways to welcome minorities to the area, said President Allan Pelvit.

&uot;This is something that’s needed in our community,&uot; Pelvit said.