On October 6, 2025, community leaders, partners, and staff gathered at Iterro Life Sciences in Balaton to celebrate a milestone moment, the 40th Anniversary of the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council (PIC). The event brought together members of the Joint Powers Board, Workforce Development Board, and PIC nonprofit board for a joint meeting and dinner themed “Fueling Futures.” PIC Chair Ron Antony opened the evening with a warm welcome and reflection on the organization’s journey from its earliest days of job training to today’s innovative, regional workforce strategies. “Tonight is about more than marking 40 years on the calendar. It’s about celebrating the thousands of lives touched, the futures fueled, and the partnerships built across our 14-county region,” he said.
The agenda highlighted program successes, community partnerships, and inspiring participant stories, a true reflection of the mission to Build Tomorrow’s Workforce through training, leadership, and education. In her heartfelt address, Carla Goedke, Chair of the Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board, reminded attendees that this celebration was about more than history; it was about honoring a shared legacy. “During the past forty years, an empowered and evolving group of leaders in Southwest Minnesota imagined a future where workforce development could be more than job placement. We have seen it as a catalyst for community growth, economic resilience, and personal transformation,” she said. Carla expressed gratitude for the partnerships and people who have sustained the region’s workforce success. From CareerForce staff in Marshall, Montevideo, and Worthington, to employers, educators, and community organizations that have opened doors for thousands of individuals, the support has been invaluable. “Looking back with gratitude means recognizing that our success is shared,” she added. “It belongs to every individual who walked through CareerForce doors seeking a better future, every employer who believed in second chances, and every staff member who saw potential where others saw barriers.”
Executive Director Carrie Bendix reminded guests of how far the organization has come since 1985. “When the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council opened its doors in 1985, the world of work looked very different… Yet the human need for connection, purpose, and opportunity has not changed,” she reflected. Carrie noted that nearly 6,000 people accessed services across PIC’s CareerForce locations last year, each interaction representing “a step toward a stronger future.” Looking ahead, she outlined three strategic priorities that will shape the next chapter, including: expanding youth exposure to in-demand regional occupations; growing the skilled workforce through stackable credentials and career pathways; and serving employers by helping them attract and retain skilled talent. “These priorities are how we will continue building tomorrow’s workforce, together,” Carrie said.
The evening closed with Ron’s final remarks, a message of optimism and shared purpose. “Fueling Futures isn’t just our theme tonight, it’s our promise,” he said. “Our promise to individuals who need opportunity, employers who need talent, and communities that need strong foundations.” Attendees enjoyed a celebratory dinner, shared memories, and expressed gratitude to Iterro, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Hill Stainless Steel, and the Southwest Initiative Foundation, whose sponsorships made the event possible.
As PIC enters its fifth decade, one truth endures: Workforce development is economic development. With continued collaboration, innovation, and heart, the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council and its partners will keep fueling futures, building tomorrow’s workforce, and shaping a region ready for whatever comes next.
