Southwest Minnesota CEDS & SWOT Stakeholder Survey

2026–2031 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

INTRODUCTION

The Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC) is updating the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Southwest Minnesota. The CEDS guides regional economic development priorities, investment decisions, and long-term planning.

This survey includes a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and questions focused on economic resiliency, infrastructure, and workforce retention, including strategies to retain youth and young adults after high school and college graduation.

The survey should take approximately 10–12 minutes. Thank you for sharing your insights.
SECTION 1: About You

Question Title

* 1. Which sector do you primarily represent?

Question Title

* 2. Which county do you primarily work or reside in?

Question Title

* 3. How familiar are you with the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)?

SECTION 2: Human Capital

Question Title

* 4. How would you rate access to a skilled workforce in your area?

Question Title

* 5. What are the greatest workforce challenges in your community? Multiple Choice – Multiple Answers Allowed

Question Title

* 6. What workforce strategies should be prioritized in Southwest Minnesota?

SECTION 3: Youth & Young Adult Retention (Post-Graduation)

Youth and young adults are defined as individuals who have graduated from high school and/or college and are approximately 18–35 years old.

Question Title

* 7. How important is retaining high school and college graduates to the long-term economic success of Southwest Minnesota?

Question Title

* 8. Which factors most influence whether graduates stay in or leave Southwest Minnesota? Multiple Choice – Multiple Answers Allowed

Question Title

* 9. Which workforces and career fields are most important to support economic development in your community or region? Multiple Choice – Multiple Answers Allowed

Question Title

* 10. What experiences would most encourage graduates to stay or return to Southwest Minnesota? Multiple Choice – Multiple Answers Allowed

Question Title

* 11. What additional strategies should be pursued to retain youth and young adults?

SECTION 4: Economic Competitiveness

Question Title

* 12. How attractive is Southwest Minnesota for business growth Multiple Choice – One Answer

Question Title

* 13. What factors most limit economic growth? Multiple Choice – Multiple Answers Allowed

Question Title

* 14. What opportunities exist to strengthen economic competitiveness in Southwest Minnesota?

SECTION 5: Community Resources

Question Title

* 15. How would you rate the overall quality of community resources (parks, arts, recreation, services)? Multiple Choice – One Answer

Question Title

* 16. Which community resources need the most improvement? Multiple Choice – Multiple Answers Allowed

Question Title

* 17. What investments would strengthen quality of life in Southwest Minnesota?

SECTION 6: Foundational Assets (Infrastructure)

Question Title

* 18. Which types of infrastructure are most critical to supporting economic growth and long-term reliability in your area?

Question Title

* 19. Which infrastructure investments should be prioritized? Multiple Choice – Select up to 3

Question Title

* 20. How does transportation availability impact economic growth and quality of life in Southwest Minnesota? Multiple Choice – One Answer

Question Title

* 21. Which transportation improvements would most benefit Southwest Minnesota? Multiple Choice – Multiple Answers Allowed

SECTION 7: SWOT Analysis

Question Title

* 22. What are Southwest Minnesota’s greatest strengths or competitive advantages?

Question Title

* 23. Which strengths are most significant? Multiple Choice – Multiple Answers Allowed

Question Title

* 24. What internal challenges or weaknesses limit the region’s potential?

Question Title

* 25. Which weaknesses most impact growth? Multiple Choice – Multiple Answers Allowed

Question Title

* 26. What external opportunities could strengthen the regional economy?

Question Title

* 27. Which factors should be prioritized to support long-term community sustainability and economic resilience? Multiple Choice – Multiple Answers Allowed

Question Title

* 28. What external threats pose the greatest risk to Southwest Minnesota?

Question Title

* 29. Which events or conditions pose the greatest risk to economic stability and infrastructure in your region? Multiple Choice – Multiple Answers Allowed

SECTION 8: Economic Resiliency & Vision

Question Title

* 30. How resilient is the regional economy today? Multiple Choice – One Answer

Question Title

* 31. What factors strengthen economic resiliency in Southwest Minnesota?

Question Title

* 32. What vulnerabilities weaken economic resiliency?

Question Title

* 33. Please rank the CEDS focus areas from most important to least important:

Question Title

* 34. What is the single most important priority to ensure long-term economic success in Southwest Minnesota?

Question Title

* 35. Additional comments or suggestions?

T