One aspect of Stewardship is the responsibility to give back to the company, to employees, and to the community. The MinnWest Technology Campus sets a great example of this.
MinnWest Technology Campus is, and has been, involved in an endless number of programs and initiatives that positively impact our community and the economic development in our region. Several examples include the YMCA, Grow MN, Vision2040, the Minnesota Agriculture Leadership Program, Willmar Fests, Works over Water, MN Chamber, Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission, Willmar Public School, New London-Spicer Public Schools, Willmar Stingers, Ridgewater College, Willmar Area Community Foundation, KCEO (Kandiyohi CEO) and the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf. They have been especially invested in the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce as well as several STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) initiatives.
Being a technology campus, MinnWest is intentional about supporting and encouraging youth to explore STEM career opportunities. One way they do this is by providing scholarships to individuals planning to go into a STEM field. Additionally, they sponsor and support local robotics teams. In 2018, the MinnWest Technology Campus sponsored Robotics Night with the Willmar Stingers baseball team at the ballpark. During the baseball game, six different robotics teams took the field to show off their custom-made robots and all their features. Additionally, the Robotics Night doubled as a fundraiser to benefit the local teams. To learn more about that unique event, click here.
Another way MinnWest has been involved in STEM in the past is through the STEM Student|Teacher of the Month which ran through the end of 2020. Throughout the year, students and teachers were nominated to become the STEM Student or Teacher of the Month. Each individual selected was then featured on the Lakeland Broadcasting radio stations with their unique STEM story. At the end of the year, one student or teacher was drawn to receive a $1,000 donation for their school to use on STEM initiatives!
Overall, MinnWest is instrumental in advocating for local businesses and business education. According to Joanna Schrupp, General Manager of MinnWest, “We want students to know and understand that there are careers in their own back yard. We want to help them grow and educate them on the opportunities in the area.” These are just a few of the many ways that MinnWest gives back to the community and those in the area.