Tag Archives: Northfield Downtown Development Coporation

Enhancing Readiness for Business Succession

Are you part of the 60% of small business owners who were born between 1946-1964 who are nearing retirement? Do you have a plan for unexpected life transitions? Do you recognize the need for succession planning, but feel hindered by the cost, time and lack of resources?

The University of Minnesota Extension and VisionOne High Performance Group have collaborated to create a course that will help you prepare with a 10-week transition planning course, specifically designed for small businesses in rural Minnesota.

What will you gain by participating?

  • Build knowledge and ability to strengthen your business in preparation for a succession event.
  • Learn about resources in your community and how to leverage them.
  • Engage in an on-line learning community with other firms featuring five bi-monthly sessions including one 120-minute kickoff session and four 90-minute sessions to enhance your succession planning knowledge
  • In the alternating five weeks, business owner participants will meet in-person in their community with local economic development facilitators to apply their learning to your specific business.
  • By the end of the course, you will have drafted a formal, written succession plan that addresses and supports your most important business succession, personal wealth, and legacy desires and needs.

What is the commitment?

  • This program is ten weeks in length and will run from March-May 2020
  • Participate in the five on-line learning sessions – March 4, 18; April 1, 15, 29
  • Attend five local meetings in your community with other business owners and your economic development facilitator to complete the coursework for each session. Dates TBD.

What is the cost?

  • Because of a grant through the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, your cost as a business owner is only $100.00 for the full 10-week course. If the registration fee creates a financial hardship, there are limited scholarship funds available through SMIF. Contact John Katz at SMIF for more info (JohnK@smifoundation.org).

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 15, 2020

Details and registration are available online at z.umn.edu/succession2020

Question? Contact Greg Siems (greg@nddc.org/507-645-5604)

Access to this workshop is the result of a partnership between the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation, the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, and the Northfield Enterprise Center.

The Northfield Business & Tourism Center

A long-time goal shared by many in the Northfield business community was recently celebrated at 19 Bridge Square. That’s the home of the new Northfield Business & Tourism Center. Tuesday, February 27, was the Grand Opening party in the new space. Nearly 200 people attended the special event and enjoyed great food and beverages served by the staff of the Ole Store Restaurant, The Tavern of Northfield, and the Grand Event Center. Thanks to proprietor Chuck Prior and Chef Olivier for the wonderful spread!

The Northfield Business & Tourism Center houses the offices of the Northfield Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, the Northfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Northfield, the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation, Downtown Northfield MN and the Northfield Enterprise Center. It’s a one-stop shop for anyone looking for information or networking opportunities in the Northfield business community.

The space is also the new home of the Visitor Information Center, a resource containing brochures, maps, visitor guides, business cards and many other publications for visitors. This resource is open 24/7/365. Businesses and organizations that have marketing material like this are welcome to leave it at the center for self-service distribution. Please see the staff during business hours if you have questions.

Stop by the new suite of offices soon and say hi to Todd, Lisa, Jenni and Chris. They look forward to seeing you!

Bridge Square Sports New Lights: Thanks NDDC!!

In anticipation of Winter Walk 2017 and the entire holiday season, the NDDC considered how it might contribute to the festivities in a new way. Conversation turned toward the amenities in Bridge Square and the acknowledgement that the tree lighting array could be better. The call went out for contributions and the call was answered.

As can be seen in the accompanying photos, every tree and lamp post in Bridge Square is now adorned with lights and the cumulative effect is stunning!

In addition to the new lights in Bridge Square, the NDDC is sponsoring the Tree Lighting Ceremony for Winter Walk 2017. Please join us at 5pm in Bridge Square for a brief ceremony followed by the Whoville Christmas Song  sing-a-long from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”.