Southwest Regional Development Commission was organized by local elected officials in 1973 as authorized by the Minnesota Legislature’s Regional Development Act of 1969. The Minnesota State Legislature passed the Act to encourage cooperation among local units of government. Local leaders recognized the opportunities and formed the SRDC for the purpose of working with and on behalf of local units of government to develop plans and implement programs to address economic, social, physical, and governmental concerns.
The Commission is governed by 37 regional leaders, including elected officials representing the nine counties, 80 cities, 163 townships, 32 school districts, the Lower Sioux Indian Community, and the following public interest groups: Cultural Diversity, Higher Education, the Southwest Mn Housing Partnership, Health and Human Services, and the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council.
Current Commission Membership
*Indicates Board of Director
Executive Committee
Paul Langseth, Chair
Dennis Welgraven, Vice-Chair
Rick Anderson, Treasurer
Eric Hartman, Secretary
Miron Carney, Immediate Past Chair
Cottonwood County
Donna Gravley, Commissioner*
Jenny Quade, Municipalities
Ron Kottke, Townships
Jackson County
Scott McClure, Commissioner
Mark Haberman, Municipalities
Richard Peterson, Townships*
Lincoln County
Mic VanDeVere, Commissioner
Dennis Klingbile, Municipalities*
Jeff Moen, Townships
Lyon County
Rick Anderson, Commissioner*
Pam Cooreman, Municipalities
Lori Grant, Townships
Bob Byrnes, City of Marshall*
Murray County
Dennis Welgraven, Commissioner*
Miron Carney, Municipalities*
Vacant, Townships
Nobles County
Bob Paplow, Commissioner
Steve Kellen, Municipalities
Paul Langseth, Townships*
Rick Von Holdt, City of Worthington*
Pipestone County
Chris Hollingsworth, Commissioner*
Dan Delaney, Municipalities
Vacant, Townships
Redwood County
Bob Van Hee, Commissioner*
Leah Bittner, Municipalities
Tiffany Knott-Lesmeister, Townships
Rock County
Sherri Thompson, Commissioner
Keith Elbers, Municipalities*
JoEllen Benson, Townships
School Boards
Eric Hartman, School Board*
Stephen Schnieder, School Board
Lower Sioux Community
Elliot Christensen, Lower Sioux Community
Special Interest Groups
Vacant, Cultural Diversity
Carrie Bendix, SW MN PIC
David Sturrock, SW MN Higher Education
Beth Wilms, Health & Human Services
Kristie Blankenship, SW MN Housing Partnership
Justine Wettschreck, Economic Development