The Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board
The Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board is one of Minnesota’s 16 local workforce boards designated under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. The Board is comprised of a majority business representatives, as well workforce, education, government, economic development, and community stakeholders. The board is dedicated to provide a diverse and quality workforce that best meets the needs and challenges of the 14 county area of Southwest Minnesota. These counties include Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Swift, and Yellow Medicine.
The Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board is a leader in CareerForce, Minnesota’s unified workforce system and guides the design of local workforce development including oversight of CareerForce locations in Marshall, Montevideo and Worthington.
Regional Workforce Strategies
Board & Nomination Information
Board’s Regional Work Plan
Workforce Development Board Meetings
The Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board meetings are held the first Thursday of the month at 4 PM in the following months: February, April, June, August, October and December at the Lyon County Government Center located at 607 West Main Street in Marshall, MN.
The Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board will be held on June 6, 2024 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Join the Meeting In-Person
- Merit Center, 1001 Erie Rd, Marshall, MN 56258 (in-person)
- 1403 E College Drive, Marshall, MN 56258 (via zoom)
- Montevideo CareerForce Conference Room, 202 N. 1st Street, Montevideo, MN (via zoom)
- Nobles County Government Center, CareerForce Conference Room, 318-9th Street, Worthington, MN (via zoom)
- Safari Island Community Center, 1600 Community Dr, Waconia, MN 55387 (via zoom)
- Swift County Benson Health Services, Conference Room A, 1815 Wisconsin Ave, Benson, MN 56215 (via zoom)
- Mankato CareerForce, 12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 1600, Mankato MN 56001 (via zoom)
Join Virtually by Zoom
Meeting ID: 822 7102 3139
Passcode: 953321
Upcoming Meeting Dates
June 6, 2024 | August 8, 2024 | October 3, 2024 | December 5, 2024
Grant Awards
The Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board has awarded the following grants:
- One Stop Operator
Consortium of Providers: MN Department of Employment and Economic Development, Job Service, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development, Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc. - WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Services
Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc. - WIOA Youth Services
Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc.
Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board Members
Private Sector Representatives
Carla Goedtke, Chair
Murray County
Andy Easley, Vice Chair
Lyon County
Melissa McGinty-Thompson
Swift County Private Sector
Len Bakken
Cottonwood County
Anne Johnson
Redwood County
Kris Jacobson
Lac qui Parle County
Melissa McGinty-Thompson
Swift County
Jacque Peters
Chippewa County
Rochelle Remund
Pipestone County
Vince Robinson
Lincoln County
Dawn Schnell
Jackson County
Brad Vaughn
Rock County
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Redwood County Private Sector
At-Large Representatives
Scott Marquardt
Southwest Initiative Foundation
At-Large Economic Development
Bruce Bergeson
Minnesota River Valley CTE Collaborative
At-Large Education
Terry Gaalswyk
Minnesota West Community & Technical College
At-Large Education
Tim Jones
SW MN PPIC
At-Large Community Based Organization
See Moua-Leske
SW ABE Marshall
At-Large Education Community Based Organization
Dr. Lori Wynia
At-Large Education
Southwest Minnesota State University
Mimi Schafer
MN Dept. of Employment & Economic
At-Large Rehabilitation Services
Marly Wagner
Southwest Minnesota State University
At-Large Education
LeRoy Kiecker
MN Department of Employment & Economic Development
At-Large Public Employment Service Representative
Vacant
Chief Elected Officials Board
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) vests local chief elected officials with significant authority to provide leadership in the development, operation, and performance of local workforce development programs. Responsibilities include appointing Local Board members, setting priorities for use of WIOA, leveraging workforce funding, and providing leadership for address workforce development needs in the region.
Board Meeting Information
The Chief Elected Official Board meetings are held the 3rd Monday of each month at 2 p.m. in March, June, September, and December.
In-person meetings are held at the Lyon County Government Center on the second floor in the Commissioners Room at 607 W Main Street in Marshall, MN. The meeting can also be joined virtually at the Cottonwood County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room at 900 3rd Ave, Windom, MN and at 316 West Broadway, Browns Valley, MN.
Chief Elected Officials Board Members
Ron Antony, Chair
Yellow Medicine County Commissioner
Beth Van Hove, Vice Chair
Former Nobles County Auditor/Treasurer
Juanita Lauritsen, Secretary
Former PIC Executive Director
John Roiger
Former Manager Lac qui Parle Coop Oil Company
Andy Easley
Tru Shrimp Human Service Director
Gary Hendrickx
Swift County Commissioner
John Popowski
Popowski Farms Farmer
Interested in a Program or service?
Our career specialists can help you identify a direction and develop a plan of action. The initial meeting can be the most important first step you will take toward preparing for a successful future.
Take your first step today!
