WCI's Economic Development programs seek to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for people in west central Minnesota by creating and retaining jobs, increasing workers' incomes and the tax base, and providing the opportunity for continued growth.

Our overall economic development strategy encompasses all of our programs and services, with our primary focus on making west central Minnesota the place people choose to live. This region abounds in natural beauty and amenities and offers recreational opportunities all year long. For that reason alone, many people would like to live here. But there are other factors to consider when deciding where to live. We have chosen to invest in areas that are directly related to some of these other factors, such as:

• Availability of jobs
• Opportunities to advance in a job
• Support for those who would like to start a business
• Availability of quality child care
• Communities that are great places to raise our next generation of competent and creative workers
• Communities with a positive attitude that are working toward a vibrant, viable future
• Communities that welcome everyone to call their town "home”
• Assistance with building a solid financial future for their family
• A strong nonprofit community to support the needs families may encounter throughout their lifetime

Specific programs related to economic development offered by us are meant to utilize the power of leverage to achieve the most impact. Specific program areas that impact the factors listed above include:

• Business Development
• Workforce Development
• Economic Development Planning
• Family Economic Success
• Child Care Assistance (capacity building) for profit | nonprofit