About SCEIC

Photograph coming soon

Stevens County Economic Improvement Commission, Inc. (SCEIC) is registered with the United States Internal Revenue Service, the Minnesota Department of Revenue, the Minnesota Secretary of State, and the Minnesota State Attorney General as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation. SCEIC is audited annually by an independent CPA/Accounting firm certified to conduct audits of federal programs (in SCEIC’ case, USDA, Rural Business Development Services, Intermediary Relending Program).

SCEIC is not a government entity or a legal or accounting service provider. SCEIC has a staff of Economic Development Professionals who provide economic development services to make the economy of Stevens County more vitial and viable through job retention and job growth.

The mission of SCEIC is TO RETAIN AND CREATE JOBS

SCEIC’s mission is accomplished by:

• Identifying the business and economic development needs of the individual businesses, communities, and business related organizations in Stevens County;
• Prioritizing the needs of each with the needs of the county based on a consensus of opinion of the Board of Directors; and,
• Implementing the Board’s decisions regarding economic development policy in Stevens County.

The SCEIC offers free (or low cost) CONFIDENTIAL professional consulting services to businesses or individuals doing business in Stevens County or to those businesses or individuals who will locate their business in Stevens County. These services also include, but are not limited to:

• New Business Start-Up Planning
• Business Plan Development
• Business Loan Application Assistance
• Business Loan Packaging
• Locating Business Financial Resources
• Economic Development “Gap Financing” Loans for Business
• Business Training Referrals to Other Business Resources
• Academic, professional, technological and private consulting resources to assist businesses are made available whenever possible.

All services are conducted through a one-to-one process. All clients receive assistance with an emphasis on in-depth, problem solving aimed at helping to build a successful business.

SCEIC also conducts a variety of surveys to identify current business and demographic trends in Stevens County. The results of these surveys are used by the Board of Directors to establish policies and to make strategic plans. These surveys are also used to inform local elected officials so that they can make informed decisions regarding the economy in heir community.

Funding

SCEIC is funded by grants from Stevens County, 4 of the 5 Cities in the county (Alberta, Chokio, Donnelly, and Morris), and by a majority of the County’s 16 Townships. Donations from other businesses and organizations interested in the future of Stevens County are also received. SCEIC operations, revolving loan fund, and fiscal agent accounts are audited annually by an independent CPA/Accounting firm in accordance with USDA Rural Development Business Services rules and regulations.

Donations to the SCEIC (by individuals and by for-profit businesses) are fully tax deductible, to the extent allowed by law.

SCEIC’ History

102 Members  of the community of Stevens County have served on the SCEIC Board of Directors since 1987. Board Member List 1987 to Present

Over 500 individuals and business clients seeking business advice and consultation (All names and project information are held in confidence as per the client’s request) since 1990.

SCEIC organized and started Info-Link as the first ISP in the region and one of the first in the state.

74 Blind proposals have been prepared and submitted for various telemarketing, agricultural processing, and manufacturing proposals from Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development and others

SCEIC has received national and state recognition for its innovative and progressive approach to economic development activities in support of its mission to retain  and grow jobs in Stevens County.

Community Partnership Award for Community Development

SCEIC was recognized for its innovative partnerships by the Federal Home Loan Bank Washington DC – An annual award given to a community based organization that actively supports local economic development through innovation and partnership.

“Stevens County (All Star County)” Day in Minnesota

A Proclamation by the Governor that recognized SCEIC contributions to Stevens County and the State of Minnesota

Star County

Stevens County was recognized as one of  the first “Star County” in Minnesota by the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development (now the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development)

Revolving Loan Fund Activities

Loan Portfolio 

Job Reporting By Borrowers

Program Activities (Resources Provided for Client’s Projects)

1994 to 2010

LOAN ACTIVITY FOR CLIENTS

$65.9 Million – Loans Packaged for Clients (using other Lenders)                                      

$2.20 Million – Loans Made by SCEIC Revolving Loan Fund

$23,531 – Loans (5) Made by Stevens County Community Fund (1994 to 1997)

LOAN ACTIVITY TO CAPITALIZE REVOLVING LOAN FUND

$1.4 Million – Capital Financing Loans from USDA Rural Development Business Services

GRANT ACTIVITY FOR CLIENTS

$1.1 Million – Grant Funds Obtained for Clients

$176,000 - Grant Funds Obtained for Stevens County Community Fund

$183,000 – Grant Funds Disbursed by Stevens County Community Fund

GRANT ACTIVITY FOR SCEIC

$162,000 – Capital Financing for Revolving Loan Fund

FISCAL AGENT ACTIVITY

$272,000 – Budget Activities Managed by SCEIC for other non-profit groups

$71.4 Million TOTAL SCEIC PROGRAM ACTIVITY

Fiscal Agent Activity

Morris Chamber of Commerce – Leadership Morris
Resource Connections
Stevens County Horse Barn Construction Project
Stevens FORWARD!

Other

Administer City of Chokio Revolving Loan Fund Loans (Application to Closing)

Administer City of Morris Revolving Loan Fund Loans (Application to Closing)

Administer Stevens County Loan Pool

Alexandria Technical College Small Business Management Program Advisory Board

Administered Blandin Foundation MIRC Grant Program

Administered Blandin Foundation “Get Broadband”

Partner in Blandin Foundation “Morris Community Investment Partnership”

Developed and Implemented JOBZ Tax-free Sub-zones in Chokio, Hancock and Morris

Completed Diversity in the Labor Force Study 2004 (Region wide study for MN DEED in Partnership with Professor Pareena G. Lawrence, PhD, UMM)

Completed Labor Force in Stevens County Study 2005 (Region wide study)

Completed Employment in Stevens County Study 2009 (Region wide study)

Founding member organization of MN Association of Professional County Economic Developers

Founding member organization of MN Livestock Development Authority

Founding member organization of West Central MN Growth Alliance

Founding member organization of West Central MN Housing Partnership

Formed and Administered Stevens County Community Fund

Formed and Administered Stevens County Technology Transfer Task Force

Administered UMM HUD/COPC “Idea Factory” Grant Program

SCEIC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER