Bluff Country Business Academy to Support Local Businesses

FILLMORE COUNTY—A unique partnership between two Minnesota Bluff Country towns has the potential to strengthen both communities, according to its organizers. Preston and Lanesboro are teaming up this spring to offer the “Bluff Country Business Academy,” an eight-week training for business owners in each community.

These two communities, located just eight miles apart, are similar in many ways. Both organized in the mid-1800s and share strong agricultural roots; a beautiful, trout-filled river (the South Branch of the Root River) and access to one of the most popular biking-and-hiking trails in the Midwest, the Root River State Trail, also connect them in a special way.

Similar but different

Preston, known as Minnesota’s “Trout Capital” is the Fillmore County seat with a population topping 1,300 people and an industrial base anchored by POET Bioprocessing. The town is also home to a Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery and a newly-opened Minnesota State Veterans Home.

 Lanesboro, Minnesota’s “Rhubarb Capital” with a population closer to 750, has developed a national reputation as a center for quality art, music and theater, and appears regularly on many “Top 10 Places to Visit” lists.

Two neighboring small towns, alike but different.

They are also two communities sharing a growing openness to developing mutually-helpful partnerships. “Preston and Lanesboro both have unique strengths and assets,” says Mitchell Walbridge, Lanesboro’s City Administrator. “But we have learned – and are learning – new ways to work together. We’re giving that a shot to the benefit of both.”

Partnership efforts between Preston and Lanesboro go back more than two decades. In 2003, the towns began sharing police services; three years ago, that was expanded to include Emergency Services. “Over time, we’ve seen clear success in how both communities are able to strengthen their local resources when we work toward a common goal,” says Ryan Throckmorton, Preston’s City Administrator.

Working together for economic growth

The idea of Lanesboro and Preston finding ways to foster economic stability and growth in their respective cities has been a topic of official discussion since 2024. Last spring those talks led to the decision to hire Michelle Marotzke as a shared full-time Economic Development Director.

Surrounded by beautiful bluff landscapes, a large sign along Hwy. 16 welcomes folks to Lanesboro from the east. (Photo by Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce)

Marotzke, originally from Willmar, assumed that role in May 2025. She has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Southwest Minnesota State University and previously worked in economic development for Kandiyohi County. 

“Small businesses are critical drivers of the Bluff Country economy,” she says. “They become one of the many reasons people choose to visit and relocate to communities such as Preston and Lanesboro.” 

Marotzke splits her time each week (2/3 in Preston; 1/3 in Lanesboro) working with city leaders, the Economic Development Authorities (EDAs) of both communities, and local business owners.

 “We’re discovering already that you really can do more together than you can do separately,” she says.

Choosing a spirit of “coopertition”

How does an economic partnership like this work between nearby towns? Being so closely located, won’t they end up competing for the same new businesses? When it comes to seeking funding, will they end up applying  for the same grants?

“We recognize that there are moments when our communities may be competitive,” admits Throckmorton. “But at the end of the day, success in either community is a success for the entire region.”

(Preston Area Chamber of Commerce photo)

Marotzke agrees. “We need to acknowledge that competition is a reality to be faced. But things have gone very well so far, “she says. “When we face decisions on what grants to apply for and the timing of those applications, we look at capacities. Who can do what and when? What resources are already in place to make those applications more likely to be funded? We work together to answer those questions.”

That spirit is embodied in a word Michelle uses often: coopertition. “You know there’s going to be competition, but you commit to cooperation. We believe we can accomplish more when we work together.”

“When Preston does well, Lanesboro does well,” says Wallbridge. “And vice versa.”

The “Bluff Country Business Academy”

Their partnership is already bearing fruit. The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently awarded a $16,850 grant to Preston and Lanesboro to create a pilot program called the “Bluff Country Business Academy” (BCBA).

Starting this March, this eight-week business development program will be offered for local business leaders. The first four sessions (scheduled for March 3, 9, 16 and 23) will be held in Lanesboro; the next four sessions (scheduled for April 6, 13, 20 and 27), including a final celebration event, will take place in Preston. 

“The Academy will provide practical, hands-on education for existing and aspiring small and mid-sized business owners in Preston and Lanesboro to launch or grow their business plans,” explains Marotzke. 

Led by instructors from Rochester Technical and Community College’s “Customized Training and Education Department,” the sessions will cover topics like business planning, bookkeeping, marketing and succession planning. 

“We’re hopeful every participating business, from independent sole proprietors to multi-employee corporations, will find value in these classes,” says Throckmorton. “They aren’t meant to tell business owners how to run their operations, but rather to provide practical tools for the kinds of challenges every business owner will face at some point. We also see the Academy creating opportunities for networking and communication among neighboring businesses.”

The Bluff Country Business Academy will offer spots for 15 people. A registration fee of $100 will be refunded to participants attending at least six sessions. In addition to SMIF’s initial grant, other Academy sponsors include F&M Community Bank of Preston, Merchants Bank of Lanesboro, the Preston and Lanesboro EDAs and Rochester Technical and Community College.

“We’re thankful for our partners and excited to launch this pilot program,” says Marotzke. “The more knowledge and access to resources that small business owners have, the more successful they can be, and that’s good for everyone!”

For more information about the Bluff Country Business Academy, including instructions on how to register, visit Lanesboro EDA or Preston EDA. Michelle Marotzke can be emailed at mmarotzke@prestonmn.gov.