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FAIRMONT-- Linsey Preuss has been selected as one of four recipients of 4 Under 40, a program that recognizes up-and-coming leaders in Martin County. Professionally, Preuss serves as Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Fairmont.
While not originally from here, Preuss grew up nearby in rural Wells. She attended United South Central Schools and upon graduating high school, went to Minnesota State University in Mankato, which she graduated from in 2006 with a degree in finance.
"At that time, there wasn't a lot of finance jobs out there," Preuss said.
She began looking into banking but didn't love that idea so she did some waitressing for awhile. Then Preuss said she ran into the right person and was introduced to economic development.
"I didn't even really know what that was. It's not like you say, 'Hey, I'm going to be an economic developer when I grow up,'" Preuss said.
She took her first job with Faribault County Development Corporation.
"We served the whole county and had contracts with the city of Blue Earth and Faribault County to provide economic development services," Preuss explained.
She started as an intern and then made her way up to administrative assistant and then executive director. She was was there for seven years before she took her current position in Fairmont in 2015.
"I've been here for seven years," Preuss said.
When comparing the two roles, Preuss said the difference is based around public meetings, as Faribault County Development Corporation was a private non-profit so they could have conversations behind closed doors whereas with her current role, everything is done in a public meeting.
She pointed out that the city of Fairmont is also double the size of the largest city in Faribault County.
"You want to get more community input and that's really important because it's a bigger community. You need to understand the needs of all the different members of the community," Preuss said.
As Economic Development Coordinator, Preuss helps businesses grow. This can be in many forms, whether it's helping businesses get a piece of equipment, helping them find workers or adding on to their building.
Preuss may be a one-person department, but she works with just about every other department in the city, not to mention the businesses in Fairmont.
"If there's a project that's going to happen, we have to bring in all of the different departments, zoning, building, engineering. We all have to work together. Even though we all come in at our own angle, it's really important that we take a team approach," she said.
When asked what her favorite part of the job is, Preuss said it's helping people and businesses get to the next step and reach their goals.
"They have a vision and they're always looking toward the future and being a resource to help them achieve those goals is really fun," she said.
Outside of her job, Preuss also plays a large role in the community. She's president-elect of the Fairmont Rotary Club and serves on the finance committee of her church, Hope United Methodist Church.
Her family, which includes husband Travis, Dylan, 13, Ayla, 12, and Carter, 6, also enjoy partaking in community service projects.
"I have taken my kids to help paint a Habitat for Humanity house and to deliver Hot Meals on Wheels. They love being a part of that. I hope I'm inspiring community service in them, too," Preuss said.
Her family also tries to take advantage of the many amenities Preuss says Fairmont has to offer. Last summer she said they did a staycation where they utilized the lakes and trails in Fairmont.
Professionally, Preuss said it's hard to balance the needs of the community as everyone has a different vision for what Fairmont should look like. She said in government, they need to take baby steps and move slowly.
"It's meant to be like that so you can get community engagement and community input," Preuss said.
One thing Preuss does have control over is her attitude. She said she always tries to stay positive as she believes leaders have a way of supporting and encouraging those around them.
"When they're passionate about their jobs and they feel like they can take it and run, productivity skyrockets. When we encourage and empower people around us, there's so much positive change that can happen," Preuss said.
Like the other three recipients of 4 Under 40, Jen Kahler, Hubble Werre and Stephanie Busiahn, Preuss was surprised and humbled by learning she had been selected.
"There's so many people in our community that could and should be recognized. I'm really grateful the Boy Scouts decided to have a program like this because it highlights the fact that we do have a lot of amazing people in our community," Preuss said.
Reflecting on her role within the community, Preuss said, "I really do feel like we're blessed to be in a place where so many people choose to spend their time and resources helping others and continuously improving the community."
The four recipients will be recognized at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Fairmont. Tickets are on sale now at twinvalleybsa.org/4under40.