News & Events

The Economic Alliance is the Collaborative Best of Wadena County

Thursday, January 14, 2021

The West Central Economic Development Alliance was formed as a private, not-for-profit economic development agency in 2011, with direction to provide a voice for public and private business interests in Wadena County. Today, the organization, known as the Economic Alliance, consists of an Executive Board of volunteers representing those interests in banking, government, non-profit, and private industry with a full-time Executive Director, Katie Heppner, who carries out the day-to-day operations, ensuring those voices are heard. “Prior to 2011, a few cities had some sort of economic development organization and we were fortunate to be represented by the Region 5 Development Commission...

Menahga: A Lakeside Paradise

Monday, September 21, 2020

Menahga is a waterfront community in Wadena County, accessed by U.S. Route 71 and Minnesota State Highway 87. In the heart of Menahga sits the beautiful Spirit Lake, complete with a fishing pier and sugar sand beach. During the summer months free concerts are held by the lake. There is also a campground, complete with bathrooms, showers, electric and water campsites, horseshoe pit, playground, volleyball court, and pavilions. Click here for more information. The Blueberry River flows just north of the city and provides additional recreational opportunities. The statue of St. Urho, the legendary patron saint of Finland, is located alon...

Verndale is a Great Place to Grow in Wadena County

Monday, September 14, 2020

Verndale is a great place to grow! Historically, the Verndale was called "the most beautiful town site along the Northern Pacific Railroad between Brainerd and Fargo," the townsite of Verndale was situated one mile east of the Wing River, on the edge of a beautiful prairie.The city is still known for its location in beautiful West Central Minnesota. It is located in Wadena County, and U.S. Route 10 serves as a main route in the community. Verndale’s business community is primarily comprised of locally owned small businesses such as Aldrich Tractor, Bullseye Bar & Grill, C & M Contractors, Forcier Constructio...

Sebeka: Small enough to know you… Large enough to serve you

Monday, September 07, 2020

The city of Sebeka is located in Wadena County Minnesota along US Hwy 71, C.S.A.H 12, and the Red Eye River. With a slogan of “Small enough to know you… Large enough to serve you!” Sebeka is proud of the past and looking forward to the future. The Sebeka Economic Development Authority (SEDA) helps to achieve the forward-looking goals of the community. SEDA was established in August of 1996 to coordinate and administer the economic development and redevelopment plans and programs for the City of Sebeka and is available to provide support for businesses interested in growing in the area...

Staples is Home to Growing Businesses & Family-friendly Recreation

Monday, August 31, 2020

Conveniently located off Highway 10, between Little Falls and Wadena, Staples is about 150 miles northwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul, about 150 miles southwest of Duluth-Superior and 110 miles east of the Fargo-Moorhead area. Staples is well served by transportation services including busy highways, BNSF Railroad and the Staples Airport. Our airport, adjacent to an expanding industrial park, has a 3,300 ft hard surfaced runway lit with instrument approach. The Staples Airport provides a self-service fuel pump, private hanger space, and 22 city-owned hangers available for lease. The Staples Economic Development Authority offers support to new and existing businesses - some o...

Wadena Offers Support and Infrastructure for Growing Businesses

Monday, August 24, 2020

Wadena is a growing community in the rich agricultural region of central Minnesota. Located at the intersections of US Highways 71 and 10 - along with Minnesota Highway 29 – Wadena is situated in a nice, central location within a few hours drive of such population centers as Fargo - Moorhead (90 miles), St. Cloud (90 miles), Duluth – Superior (170 miles), and the Twin Cities (150 miles). A new airport, with a paved 4,005-foot runway, and a BNSF rail line round out a strong base of transportation infrastructure. The Wadena Development Authority (WDA), a department of the City of Wadena...

View Commercial Real Estate and Available Sites in Wadena County

Monday, August 17, 2020

Search through available sites and commercial real estate for sale or lease in Wadena County using our free online Real Estate tool. Our tool allows site selectors and business owners to search through our list of available sites in the area. It gives site selectors detailed information on available sites making it easier for them to find the right site for their business needs. This system gives in-depth information on sites including the address, acreage information, and lease or sale price. Users can also utilize the advanced search options and view a map of available sites. Click here to search availabl...

Wadena County Supports Growing and Expanding Businesses

Monday, August 10, 2020

The West Central Economic Development Alliance is committed to making Wadena County the best place to do business and supports the growth and expansion of the existing businesses in our communities. There are several resources available for growing businesses such as location and expansion assistance. If you’re relocating from another area or looking to expand locally, be sure to check out what is available to you. Tax credit and other benefits are also available through programs like the Greater Minnesota Job Expansion Program and the Greater Minnesota Internship Tax Credit Program. Need help with employee training? Training grants and incentives are availabl...

Become an Ally and Further Economic Development in Wadena County

Monday, August 03, 2020

The West Central Economic Development Alliance focuses on economic development in Wadena County and surrounding communities. Our vision is to make our communities the best place to do business. Our work is funded by the generous support of community partners. Consider becoming an ally today! The Economic Alliance is funded through the generosity and commitment to economic development of our sponsors, or Allies. Our Allies vary from small to large businesses, cooperatives, and local units of government. If you are interested in helping to further economic development in our community, please contact us at wceda@wcta.net or (218) 837-595. Find more information and ou...

Ways to Finance Your Business in Wadena County

Monday, July 27, 2020

Are you interested in starting, relocating, or expanding your business in Wadena County or our surrounding communities? Need help financing your dream? Our communities proudly support new and existing businesses through local banks and lending options. View our list of local lenders here. Are you a community, government organization or non-profit? There are funding options, including grants, available to assist you as well. They include funds for redevelopment and infrastructure projects. View our list of programs here. If your community would like assistance applying for any of these programs, please contact Katie Heppner at wceda@wcta.net or 218-837-5950.

Opportunity Zone Incentives in Wadena MN

Monday, July 20, 2020

Are you interested in starting, relocating, or expanding your business in Wadena County or our surrounding communities? Our Opportunity Zone incentives make it more financially attractive to do so. Opportunity Zones are a new community development program established by Congress in the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 to encourage long-term investments in low-income and urban communities. Opportunity Funds are a new class of private sector investment vehicles authorized to aggregate and deploy private investment into Opportunity Zones. Opportunity Funds allow U.S. investors holding unrealized gains in stocks and mutual funds to pool their resources in projects located in Opportunity Zones...

News & Events

1st in 5-Year Business Survival Rate (Bureau of Labor Analysis, 2012-2017)

Best-Run State in America (24/7 Wall Street/USA Today, 2017)

Happiest State in the U.S. (MagnifyMoney, 2018)

1st in Quality of Life (Forbes, 2017)

Happiest – and Least Stressed – State in the Country (WalletHub, 2017)

2nd Best State Overall (U.S. News & World Report, 2018)

1st Best State for Women (WalletHub, 2017; Institute for Women’s Policy Research, 2015)