

Our Work in
Minnesota
Communities
Active Projects

Alexandria Area
Alexandria, located in the heart of West Central Minnesota, has breathtaking clear blue lakes, serene countryside, and a rapidly growing community. Hard-working residents, close-knit communities, and scenic countryside are some of the area’s unique characteristics. The 2021 census reported 13,705 residents living in Alexandria.

East Grand Forks
East Grand Forks, located in the Red River Valley region, has a population around 9,176. The community includes the city as well as the hinterlands of Northwest Minnesota.

Houston County
Houston County, located in southeastern Minnesota, has picturesque landscapes, historic towns, and farmland. Hard-working residents, close-knit communities, and stunning scenery are some of its unique characteristics. The 2021 census reported 18,778 residents living in Houston County.

New Ulm
New Ulm is a city in Brown County, located in Southern Minnesota, near the Minnesota River and
Cottonwood River. The population is 13, 522 according to the 2010 Census. New Ulm is home to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and Martin Luther College.

Madelia
Madelia is a small rural community located in Southern Minnesota. The city, located along the
Watonwan River, has a population of 2,308 according to the 2010 census. The largest industries in the
community are food processing, health care and agriculture.

Ortonville
Ortonville is a city in Big Stone County at the southern tip of Big Stone Lake, along the border of South Dakota. The community has many strong features including an amazing 18-hole golf course,
booming lake economy, hometown feel, top scale health care system, and real estate opportunities that are growing every day.

Cook County
Cook County is in Northeastern Minnesota, surrounded by Lake Superior, the Boundary Waters
Wilderness Area and Canada. The 2010 U.S. Census reports that 5,176 people make their permanent
home within the county.

Fergus Falls
Fergus Falls, located in west central Minnesota, is a picturesque town with clean lakes and wooded areas. The city is located in Otter Tail County, has a total area of about 15 square miles, and is near the North Dakota border. Family-oriented communities and small, yet serene landscapes are some of the area’s unique characteristics. The 2021 census reported 14,119 residents living in Fergus Falls.

Hutchinson
Hutchinson, located in southwestern Minnesota, is a cozy, hometown community that nestles along the South Fork of the Crow River. Hutchinson is 9.02 square miles and is the largest city in McLeod County. The 2021 census reported 13,935 residents living in Hutchinson.

Nobles County
Nobles County is located in southwestern Minnesota and is part of the Buffalo Ridge geological structure. A significant amount of Nobles County's historical character is preserved, while the county has evolved into a remarkably diverse community. The 2021 census reported 22,183 residents living in Nobles County.

Montevideo
Montevideo, with a population on 5,383, is a hub for many small towns in the region. Located in
Southwest MN, the community is proud, hardworking, and family-oriented. Montevideo was recently granted a Minnesota Veteran’s Home, a process that took over 15 years.
Past Projects

Austin
Austin, MN is a rural community in Southeastern MN with a population of approximately 24,000. The city is home to numerous employers including a Fortune 500 company.

Bemidji
Surrounded by pristine lakes and deep forests, Bemidji is a friendly, family community
with a population of about 15,300.

Carlton County
Carlton County is located in North East Minnesota, south of Duluth and is one of the fastest growing counties in NE Minnesota- home to just over 35,000 people.

Koochiching County
Koochiching County is on the far Northern edge of Minnesota, sharing a border with Canada, with only about 13,000 residents county wide.

Meeker County
Meeker County is in West Central Minnesota with a total population of just over 23,000 and is home to some of the state's largest dairy and poultry operations as well.

Renville County
Renville County is a rural community located in South-Central Minnesota, along the Minnesota River, roughly 90 minutes west of Minneapolis. The county’s population is approximately 15,730.

Winona County
Winona County is located in Southeast Minnesota on the picturesque bluffs of the Mississippi River. The county has incorporated old-world charm with sophisticated restaurants and family activities.

Becker County
Becker County is located in West Central Minnesota, and has a population of approximately 34,100 people

City of Warren
Warren is in the Northwest corner of Minnesota, named for Charles H. Warren, a railroad official. With a population of 1,600 residents, agriculture continues to hold a predominate role in its local economy.

Fairmont
The City of Fairmont, located in south central Minnesota has a total population of 10,593. According to the labor market profile, the county is experiencing a rapid increase in industrial job creation.

Kandiyohi County
Kandiyohi County with a territory of 800 square miles, and a population of approximately 42,510 is located in west central Minnesota

Quad Cities
The rural communities located in St. Louis County and referred to as the Quad Cities, include Virginia, Eveleth, Gilbert, and Mountain Iron. The Quad Cities have a combined population of 19,350.

Wadena County
Wadena County is located in central Minnesota and has a population of almost 14,000. The community prides itself on its educational systems including strong support for school district referendums and two Community and Technical Colleges.

Brainerd Lakes Area
Brainerd is a city in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, United States. Its population was 13,592 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Crow Wing County, and is one of the largest cities in Central Minnesota.

Dawson- Boyd
Dawson, Minnesota is a progressive community located in Southwestern Minnesota with a population of 1,540. The city is a thriving town positioned on the Lac qui Parle River and U.S. Highway 212.

Northwest Area
Our analysis of the Northwest Region included the following counties: Marshall, Norman, Pennington, and Polk.

Redwood County
Redwood County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,059. Its county seat is Redwood Falls, located along the Redwood River near its confluence with the Minnesota River.

Sibley County
Sibley County is located in southcentral Minnesota. The population at the 2000 census was 15,356.

Stevens County
Stevens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 9,726.

Clay County
Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 58,999. Its county seat is Moorhead

Itasca County
Itasca County is a county located in the State of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 45,058. Its county seat is Grand Rapids.

Red Wing Area
The community of Red Wing is the seat of Goodhue County and has a population of about 16,000. It is located 50 miles SE of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
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Roseau County
Roseau is a relatively small community with a population around 2,800. It is home to world-class manufacturing, research and development, medical facilities, and excellent public school district.

Southwest Region
Our analysis of the Southwest Region included the following counties: Big Stone, Chippewa County, Lac Qui Parle, and Swift.
©2020 Rural Child Care Innovation Program
A program of First Children's Finance sponsored by Minnesota Department of Human Services