LIFT Gala offers annual report on local progress

Community leaders will host the annual LIFT Gala and Community Report Friday, March 20, in Grand Prairie Events, Luverne, with a 5 p.m. social hour, 6 p.m. program and 7 p.m. dinner
LIFT — Luverne Initiatives For Tomorrow — was established in 2010 as a collaboration of public and private sectors brainstorming about how to improve the Luverne community.
The annual meetings are a chance to celebrate accomplishments and review goals yet to be reached, according to Luverne Area Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere.
“I think that this is a very important meeting when we talk about more than $100 million in investments,” she said. “These projects have the potential of being game-changers for community growth, similar to the Veterans Home coming to Luverne.”
The meeting provides an opportunity for community members to meet the people responsible for work that’s been done and opportunities on the horizon.
The 2020 meeting will touch on highlights in the following areas:
•Midwest Dry Cast, Aaron Waldner
•Nextera Energy Resources, Thomas Von Bische
•Generations building project, George Bonnema
•Elk Creek Solar Farm, Jordan Burmeister
•Ellis & Eastern Railroad, Clark Meyer
•Tallgrass Guitar Benefit, Dan Mahar and Scott Johnson
•Luverne Public School building project, Craig Oftedahl
•Premium Minnesota Pork, Dan Paquin
“It might not seem like a lot is happening in Luverne and Rock County on a day-to-day basis,” said Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian about the annual LIFT updates.
“But when you add all of them up over the last year, you can see that we have a vibrant community with much to be proud of and a chance to recognize all of it.”
The 2020 meeting will feature a catered Bluestem meal for $40 per person or $300 per table of eight as a fundraiser for LIFT.
The meal features non-GMO organic pork provided Premium Minnesota Pork. Luverne’s new “Love the Life” promotional video will be shown during the social hour.
Tickets are available at the Chamber, 507-283-4061 or luvernechamber@co.rock.mn.us. Reservation deadline is March 16.