Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Todd Field Airport provides convenient access to the city from the sky. Business executives and hobbyists enjoy the ability to fly directly in and out of Long Prairie, whether for business or pleasure. Details about our airport include: 

• A 3,000' paved runway that is open year round
• Courtesy car available 24 hours a day
• Av gas via credit card sales
• Elevation: 1333'
• Located 5 miles south of Long Prairie on T.H. 71

Average wages across all sectors of Todd County are markedly lower than the rest of Minnesota, giving local employers a true cost advantage. Manufacturing wages typically sit 25 percent below the state manufacturing average. For current, more detailed wage information, click here or go to the MN DEED website.

Absolutely. Long Prairie has built a diverse agriculture and manufacturing base around one of the most productive, loyal workforces in the state. Its record-setting productivity rates, low turn-over, and affordable wages help labor and tech-intensive businesses to lower their operating costs and gain a competitive edge.

Long Prairie supports a diverse base of stable employers. In fact, 11 of Todd County’s 14 largest employers are located in Long Prairie. Core industry clusters include livestock and egg processing, printing and publishing, transportation equipment, technology, healthcare, and government.

And Todd County’s percentage of manufacturing jobs is more than twice the state average. Most of those jobs are in Long Prairie, a community with only 12 percent of the county’s population.

Long Prairie has a history of growing successful businesses! The tradition is so strong that many of its large, private-sector businesses have attracted investment from regional or national companies seeking to expand through strategic acquisition.

Long Prairie’s exceptionally good water system enhances fire fighting capacity, earning the city an ISO rating of 4. This low rating can reduce the cost of property-related insurance by 15-20 percent, creating another bottom-line advantage for new or expanding businesses.

The community also offers competitively priced utilities and fast broadband speeds from CTC that are capable of supporting tech companies and data centers.

The 50-acre Southwest Industrial Park consists of 20 lots ranging in size from 1 to 5 acres each. The park is located just off of US TH 71 on 6th Avenue Southwest. It features an unusually low Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of 4, lowering the cost of property insurance for businesses.

It also is home to a 15,000 square foot "incubator" building that provides space for entrepreneurs and existing businesses, in addition to:

• Shovel ready sites with utilities (water, sewer, natural gas, electric) available
• Quick access is available to US TH 71, TH 27 and TH 287 with Interstate 94 just 19 miles away
• Financing incentives

We are situated in the heart of Central Minnesota, offering direct and easy access to Interstate 94 and U.S. Highway 71 which provides excellent connectivity to St. Cloud and Alexandria, as well as the Twin Cities and Fargo-Moorhead metro areas.

We’re also connected to other agricultural and industrial centers via four local trucking companies and an active municipal airport that accommodates corporate jets via a lighted, 3,000-foot paved runway.

Established along the banks of the Long Prairie River, Long Prairie is a charming and diverse community known for its festivals, hard-working people, agricultural base and thriving small businesses. Some of our favorite local activities and attractions include:

• Long Prairie Country Club, an 18-hole course
• Todd County Museum
• Christie House Museum
• Veteran’s Memorial Park
• Lake Charlotte swimming beach and fishing pier 
• Lake Charlotte beach building mural: Colores de la Pradera (Colors of the Prairie) and Blue Sky mosaic project:  Sunflower over Long Prairie 
• Disc Golf at Lake Charlotte
• Open skate at the Expo Arena on Sundays during winter months
• Harmony Park with Blue Sky mosaic project and walking path
• Outdoor Rink at Soldiers Field

You’ll find a variety of childcare options in Long Prairie, from home-based providers to licensed family daycares to suit a variety of needs and budgets. And the Long Prairie Head Start Program serves children 3 weeks to 5 years, including special needs children.

For a list of up to date licensed providers, click here.

Housing in Long Prairie is significantly more affordable than the national average. According to Zillow, our median home values are around $236k, which is also well below metro areas like Minneapolis, where $380k is the median.

We also have rental properties as well as a variety of senior homes for folks looking to retire in a beautiful and charming community.

From attainably priced starter homes to opulent luxury homes built to entertain and pamper, everything can be found in Long Prairie!

Yes! The businesses and residents who call Long Prairie home can reach other cities quickly. Located at the crossroads of Hwy 71 and Hwy 27, residents have immediate access to Little Falls, Brainerd, Sauk Centre and the Twin Cities (100 miles to the east).

Life in Long Prairie is rural and peaceful but also rich in activity! Residents enjoy the area’s natural beauty, recreational parks, seasonal concerts, cultural activities, and the ability to raise a family in a close-knit friendly community. And there is no shortage of lakes and public access to enjoy during the Spring, Summer and Fall seasons.

It’s also the retail, medical, business and entertainment hub of Todd County, attracting workers and tourists from around the region. You can live, play and work in Long Prairie!

And did you know that Minnesota has been ranked as 2nd best State for Quality of Life (World Population Review 2022) as well as 3rd Best State to Raise a Family (WalletHub 2024)? We’d love for you to discover what the buzz is about!

Long Prairie Economic Development (LPED) is focused on growing and supporting our local businesses, creating jobs, improving the overall quality of life for our business owners and residents, and fostering innovation to create a thriving, diverse economy.

You are welcome to contact us at 320.533.3112 or chamber@longprairie.org

Yes! The LPED believes in the power of partnerships to serve the Long Prairie Region. This includes the City of Long Prairie, Todd County Development Corporation, as well as our local Chamber of Commerce.

Yes! According to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, small businesses are truly the backbone of Minnesota’s economy, making up 99.5% of all businesses and employing 1.3 million people. That’s almost half of the state’s entire workforce and we are proud to support both new and existing businesses through a variety of resources.

For Small Business Development Center (SBDC) information in the North Central Region contact Katie Heppner, Director of SBDC at 218-855-8145 or katherine.heppner@clcmn.edu 
North Central Region 
For Small Business Development Center (SBDC) information in the West Central Region 218-837-5950 or wceda@wcta.net

West Central Economic Development Alliance
Contact Long Prairie Economic Development Authority today to discover more about how we can help at 320.533.3112 or chamber@longprairie.org

Yes! We understand that each business has unique needs and may qualify for incentive programs they wouldn't otherwise know about, including Rural Development incentives.

Contact us today for help navigating the various options your business may qualify for!

You’ll find a variety of business incentives at the state and local levels in Long Prairie, which include:

• Minnesota Job Creation Fund: Both new and expanding businesses may be eligible to receive up to $1 million for creating or retaining high-paying jobs and for constructing or renovating facilities or making other property improvements.
• Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF): Provides financing to help companies pay for new workers with the goal of retaining high quality jobs statewide for our skilled workforce.
• Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program: Provides capital support for businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and low income individuals.
• Revolving Loan Funds (RLF): 
  • The North Central Economic Development Association (NCEDA) provides financial assistance to businesses through low interest loans for business expansions, new businesses and transfers of ownership in Region Five.  The program is designed to offer fixed asset and working capital financing for new and expanding businesses.
  • The Todd County Development Corporation (TCDC) provide additional access to capital for new and emerging small businesses where traditional sources of funding are unavailable or limited.  Strong consideration is given to value added agricultural manufacturing, technology, commercial/industrial and product manufacturing businesses that retain or create quality jobs.
• Small Cities Grant: Provides funding for a variety of projects including infrastructure improvements, housing, and commercial rehabilitation.