News & Events

Find Your River Recreation this Summer in Wadena County!

Thursday, July 08, 2021

Many canoeing enthusiasts believe they have to travel to northern Minnesota or even the Boundary Waters Canoe Area to experience a multiple-day trip through a peaceful, remote and wooded Minnesota landscape. But residents of Wadena County know that adventure awaits them on the Crow Wing River Canoe Trail that runs over 90 miles through the area in central Minnesota. The Crow Wing River was called "Kagiwegwon'' by the Chippewa Indians, translated to "Raven's Wing." The river winds its way through the county from north to south, beginning at the Blueberry Bridge northeast of Menahga and exiting at the southeastern corner nea...

Childcare is Focus of Wadena County

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Child Care has always been an important contributor for the economic vitality of rural communities. A supply of stable, quality child care providers can be an economic driver, allowing for job growth and economic development. Wadena County is facing a shortage of that care, but thanks to a program initiated by First Children’s Finance in 2019, a plan now exists to bring that care to the county. “We want to grow the supply and business sustainability of excellent child care,” said Kari Stattelman, a Business Development Specialist with First Children’s Finance. “And Wadena County is a community with that need an...

Development Springs Ahead with the Economic Alliance

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

May is an excellent time to recognize and draw a focus to the Economic Development Organizations seeking to promote the development of business growth in their communities. The month includes two recognition weeks - Small Business Week and the 2021 National Economic Development Week. The Economic Alliance is proud to be part of these acknowledgment efforts. Small Business Week The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has historically held its National Small Business Week in the first week of May each year. The COVID-19 pandemic forced 2020’s event to occur in September, but many organizations are planning to celebrate small businesses from Ma...

Accessible Broadband is Advantage in Wadena County

Friday, April 16, 2021

Broadband internet service has reached a level of requirement that not many thought necessary prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many rural counties in particular face the difficulties of providing fast internet speeds as more residents must work from home. But Wadena County, despite being the 59th-most populated of Minnesota’s 87 counties, is one of the best counties in the state for broadband access. A major player in that standing is West Central Telephone Association (WCTA), a local telecommunications provider headquartered in Sebeka. As communities across the country learn to deal with the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, broadband access has becom...

Housing Boost in Sebeka with Grant Program, Housing Study

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Several homes around the city of Sebeka are getting exterior updates, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. While eleven homeowners are active in the maintenance now, a recent housing study completed by Wadena County places a priority on determining how to keep the town’s appearance a priority for the future as well. Sebeka received a $111,708.86 grant in 2019 as part of the USDA Rural Development Housing Preservation Grant Program, which is designed to help preserve rural housing and remove blight in rural communities. “This is the first time the city has received funds from the RHPG Program,&rdquo...

News & Events

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

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

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

1st in Quality of Life (Forbes, 2017)

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

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

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