Editorial: Penny is good fit for SMIF
Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 29, 2007
The Tribune gives hearty applause to the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation&8217;s board of trustees for picking former Congressman Tim Penny to be its president. He starts Monday.
The Owatonna-based organization covers 20 counties in southern Minnesota and has helped businesses and nonprofit organizations in Freeborn County abundantly over the course of its 21-year history. Whether it is grants, loans or support services, the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation is making a difference in the important task of community development.
The foundation has provided more than $34 million in grants and loans within the region during the past 21 years. In Freeborn County alone, SMIF has provided $450,000 in grants and $500,000 in loans. With loans, the most recent instances have been given to Daisy Blue Naturals, Total Choice Shipping, Lou-Rich Inc., Aquila Corp. and Albert Lea Port Authority.
Penny, 55, cares about rural economies and prizes the small-town lifestyle.
He understands the importance of value-added agriculture to the rural economy. This wonderful soil time and again sustains us all, and nowadays provides the corn to fuel automobiles. Penny knows that tomorrow&8217;s workforce is key to long-term success. That means emphasizing early childhood education and looking at how people transition from high school to careers. Another key he understands is maintaining the health of the present workforce. That means emphasizing active lifestyles.
Penny is a good fit. We look forward to Albert Lea&8217;s continuing relationship with the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. Congratulations.