Albert Lea Economic Development Agency - ALEDA

02/04/2026

We were excited to participate in the first episode of Chamber Voices, a new podcast from the Albert Lea–Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. In the episode, Noelle (Hagen) Viktora, Director of Operations and Finance, joined Valerie Lockhart to talk about the work of the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency and our role in supporting business growth, entrepreneurs, and economic development in our community.

Thank you to the Chamber for launching this podcast and for highlighting local businesses, organizations, and community assets across Albert Lea and Freeborn County. We appreciate the opportunity to be part of the conversation and to share the work being done to support our local economy.

🎙️ New Podcast Episode!

The first episode of Chamber Voices is live!

We’re kicking things off with Noelle Viktora from the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency - ALEDA, talking about how economic development supports local businesses and what’s ahead for Albert Lea and Freeborn County.

If you care about business, growth, and our community’s future, this one’s worth a listen.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/66dhvotkvaiKJxaUC5o8pI?si=2qLrgU34REOnocMQPPifZA

10/16/2024

Thanks KIMT News 3 for sharing information on these important efforts to add housing to Albert Lea!

KIMT News Three's Saral Khare spoke with the city manager on the progress of this latest housing project.

09/06/2024

Check out this feature article on Key & Co!

Head to any social media platform lately, and you’ll be inundated with “aesthetic” images of meticulously curated and beautifully designed spaces — kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms, home offices, you name it.

08/28/2024

Small Business Owners! 🗣️

Join us on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 2:00 p.m. for the Monthly Small Business Call by the Employment and Economic Development Office. It's a great opportunity to connect, ask questions, and get expert advice!

🗓️ Next call: Tuesday, September 10th at 2:00 p.m.

This session will feature updates on the new Paid Leave program launching in Minnesota in 2026. Don't miss out on this valuable info, Add to your calendar and join the conversation!

08/28/2024

We can't wait!

08/01/2024

We're so excited to watch small business grow!

People looking to improve their lifestyle and health now have a place downtown that can help them with these goals.

05/02/2024

NEW opportunity for small businesses across Minnesota!

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a great opportunity for business owners to gain access to tools and knowledge to grow their businesses. Through classes delivered online and in-person, business owners learn from some of the brightest minds in the business, learn about access to financial capital, and build a powerful network of professional support.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAM:

· The program is offered at no cost to the business owner – every business owner selected receives a full scholarship, with tuition funded by the Goldman Sachs Foundation

· Hands-on education for business growth with a curriculum focused on practical business skills, including negotiations, marketing, and employee management

· Within 6 months of graduating, 67% of businesses report increasing revenues and 44% added new jobs in the same 6-month time period

· Access to highly trained professionals who understand what it takes to grow a small business

· An expansive peer network of small business owners from across the country

Apply by June 21 for the upcoming class which begins October 2024. Questions? Contact [email protected].

https://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/10000-small-businesses/US/growing-with-rural-america/index.html

04/26/2024

Reach out to us or Brady at Freeborn County to apply!

The Freeborn County Childcare Forgivable Loan Program, designed to encourage and support newly licensed child care providers in Freeborn County, has announced an expansion following the successful launch of its initial phase. With an additional $10,000 allocated by Albert Lea Economic Development Ag...

04/12/2024

There's still time to apply!

PROMISE Act Grants Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is pleased to announce $1.1 million in grants for small businesses in south central and southeastern Minnesota that are located within it's service area which includes 20 counties and one Native nation. The PROMISE Act is funded by o...

04/11/2024

"🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 The Freeborn County Child Care Forgivable Loan Program is expanding with an additional $10,000 in funding! We're here to support new child care providers in Freeborn County as they create safe and nurturing environments for our little ones. Learn more and apply today! "

03/07/2024

We are so excited to see the continued change and growth in our historic Historic Downtown Albert Lea! 💙

Albert Lea is continuing to see an uptick in activity happening downtown with several smaller projects taking place during the last year — as well as the start of some larger ones, too. Here is a roundup of some of the most notable changes: 300 block of South Broadway Email newsletter signup Sign ...

03/07/2024

Register now and secure your spot at the Design Thinking Entrepreneur Workshop. Get ready to unleash your creativity and take your entrepreneurial journey to new heights!

This workshop is brought to you by Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA), Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation and funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Design Thinking is a five stage problem-solving methodology used to approach complex problems and find innovative solutions.