Business Retention & Expansion Program

Growing in the GreenSeam

GreenSeam and its volunteers are committed to convening and building the regional agribusiness ecosystem in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, and it starts with our existing businesses. We were founded by businesses connected to food and ag to support the growth of industry members across this region. With 80% of economic growth being driven by existing businesses, our dedication to nurture and empower them is central to our impact.

What are BRE visits?

GreenSeam’s BRE visits are hour-long conversations with the leaders of regional food and ag businesses on the wellbeing of their enterprise. Discussion topics cover a wide range, equipping GreenSeam, our volunteers, and local economic development organizations to support members of these key industries.

Greater Mankato Food & Ag Networking Social

Thur., May 28, 4:00-6:00pm at The Venue, Mankato

Join us after a day of BRE visits at Greater Mankato Area agribusinesses for a food and agriculture-themed networking reception, presented by Great River Energy. Enjoy light refreshments while you mingle, strengthen your local connections, and discover how GreenSeam can support your growth with its economic development programs. Save your spot by registering below by May 25.

FAQs

What qualifies as a food or ag business?

If your business doesn’t seem to be directly connected to ag, it could still be an agribusiness! GreenSeam considers the following non-traditional industry segments to be agribusinesses:

Professional service providers serving food and ag producers and manufacturers including banks, accountants, lawyers, marketers, insurance companies, real estate agents, and more.
Manufacturers with ag-based clientele or inputs, including farm equipment, ag product processing, and food manufacturing.
Researchers, engineers and contractors working with ag businesses and natural resources in the region.
Logistics and Transportation of ag-related products.

What does GreenSeam do with my information?

Information gathered in the interview is tabulated and analyzed by GreenSeam’s staff and committee. The business will received a follow up email with any resources or programs relevant to their responses.

Responses are also shared with the local economic development office and/or chamber of commerce to assist their work supporting the local business community.

Any information shared in a BRE visit is kept confidential between the business, committee, and local economic development office and chamber of commerce unless permission otherwise has been explicitly given. If a business would like information withheld from their local economic development office or chamber of commerce, they must clearly indicate so.

For more information on GreenSeam’s Business Retention and Expansion Program, contact GreenSeam’s Economic Development Coordinator, Holly Callaghan by emailing hcallaghan@greenseam.org