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Mia Ruchie

Mia Ruchie, 
Marketing & Communications Associate

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Big ideas, thoughtful questions, and a box of donuts made for a great morning at our Nobles County Powered Data Park office in Worthington, Minnesota.

The team recently welcomed five students from the 59 Corridor CEO Program for a conversation about entrepreneurship and what it takes to build a business that positively impacts the local community.

The visit was hosted by Geronimo Power team members Kenna Bancroft, Community Engagement Specialist, and Ron Honken, Project Development Liaison, who shared realworld perspective on leadership, building relationships, and learning directly from local leaders.

Nobles County Powered Data Park Office

Ron brought a unique perspective to the conversation. Along with his work at Geronimo Power, he also serves as chairman and board member of the Southwest Minnesota CEO Program—a sister initiative that gives students hands-on experience in launching and running their own businesses.

Drawing from that background, he underscored just how transformative programs like this can be.

“I’m intimately familiar with the 59 Corridor CEO program through my involvement as a board member with another program, as a member, and as an investor,” Ron shared. “There simply is nothing that better prepares young professionals who want to start their own business, build a business network, and create value within their community.”

Fueling the discussion were donuts from Hy-Vee, and plenty of ambitious ideas. Students shared plans for future ventures including an IT repair service, a real estate concept focused on high-quality property photography, a fruit cup partnership, and even a wellness sauna featuring red light therapy.

The group is guided by instructor Roxanne Hayenga of Minnesota West Community & Technical College, who helps students connect classroom learning with real-world business experience and local mentorship.

Nobles County Powered Data Park Office

Opportunities like this reflect Geronimo Power’s commitment to being an active, supportive partner in the communities where we live and work. By creating space for youth voices and connecting students with real-world opportunities, mentorship, and leadership experiences, we help build pathways to local careers and encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs and problem-solvers. When young people can envision successful futures close to home, they are empowered to strengthen the communities they care about.

We’re grateful for the chance to spend the morning with these students and excited to see where their ideas take them next.

Students Explore Big Ideas
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About the Author

Mia Ruchie

Mia Ruchie, 
Marketing & Communications Associate

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Geronimo Power recently sponsored local students through the Blue Jackets Bright Futures program with the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization, helping FFA members across Nobles County receive their official FFA jackets and participate in the leadership and hands-on learning experiences the organization provides. 

Future Farmers of America (FFA) Blue Jackets

Through the program, students apply to receive their own jacket at no cost, removing financial barriers and opening doors to competitions, conventions, and career exploration. 

For Bailey Peterson-Webster, who helped coordinate the sponsorship locally, supporting students felt like a natural fit. 

“FFA gives students real-world skills, leadership experience, and confidence that lasts far beyond high school,” Bailey said. “If sponsoring a jacket helps even one student show up feeling proud and prepared, that’s something we’re excited to be part of. Investing in local students is investing in the future of our community.” 

And for the students themselves, the impact is immediate. 

After the jackets were distributed, several shared handwritten thank-you notes describing what the sponsorship means to them: 

Thank you for sponsoring my FFA Jacket. I will wear it to the state and National convention, when I go. I will also wear it when I compete in my CDE, livestock judging. Sincerely, [MN FFA Student]

“Thank you for sponsoring my FFA jacket. I will wear it to the state and national convention… and when I compete in my CDE, livestock judging.” 

Dear Ms. Peterson-Webster, Thank you for sponsoring an FFA jacket for me. This will be my second year in FFA and I look forward to having my own jacket. I’m excited to be wearing a jacket with my own name on it at state and hopefully at national convention. Once again thank you! Sincerely, [MN FFA Student]

“This will be my second year in FFA, and I look forward to having my own jacket. I’m excited to be wearing a jacket with my own name on it at state and hopefully at national convention.” 

Dear Geronimo Power, Thank you for sponsoring the purchase of my FFA jacket. With your help I will now have my own FFA jacket and I will be able to put my greenhand pin on the jacket. Early next year I will be competing at a fish and wildlife competition. Thank you for your sponsor. Sincerely, [MN FFA Student]

“With your help I will now have my own FFA jacket and I will be able to put my greenhand pin on the jacket… Early next year I will be competing at a fish and wildlife competition.” 

Thank you so much for the jacket!!! I will use it for the next 4 years on the soils team and wherever else this takes me. Thank you again, it is very appreciated. [MN FFA Student]

“Thank you so much for the jacket!! I will use it for the next four years on the soils team and wherever else this takes me.” 

Dear Bailey Peterson-Webster, Thank you so much for sponsoring my FFA jacket from the Minnesota FFA Foundation’s Blue Jackets Bright Futures program. I will wear my jacket with pride while attending state and hopefully national FA conventions and participating on the Livestock judging team. Thanks again! [MN FFA Student]

“I will wear my jacket with pride while attending state and hopefully national conventions and participating on the Livestock Judging team.” 

Each note is a reminder that this jacket can spark big dreams for future careers in agriculture and beyond. 

While there wasn’t a formal ceremony this year, the Geronimo Power team is planning upcoming school visits and presentations in the coming weeks and looks forward to connecting with students in person and sharing photos soon. 

At Geronimo Power, being a good neighbor means showing up for the next generation in the classroom, in the community, and wherever opportunity begins!  

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About the Author

Mia Ruchie

Mia Ruchie, 
Marketing & Communications Associate

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Highlights from Our First Nobles County Powered Data Park Open House

Last week, we hosted our first-ever Open House for the Nobles County Powered Data Park, welcoming neighbors from across the area for two days of conversation and connection. Even with blizzard conditions outside, we were grateful to see a steady stream of attendees walk through the doors, ready to learn more and share their perspectives.

Throughout both days, 20–25 Geronimo Power team members and project partners were onsite, spending time one-on-one answering questions, talking through details, and listening closely to community feedback.

A Community-Wide Conversation

We met neighbors of all ages — kids, parents, grandparents, and even multiple generations of the same family attending together. That mix of voices is exactly why we host open houses: to create space for open, honest conversations across experiences and viewpoints.

Designed to Answer Real Questions

The Open House featured nine self-guided stations, covering everything from what a data center is to environmental review, project timelines, and long-term economic impact. Each station was designed to meet people where they were, whether they were new to the project or looking to dive deeper. 

Community members explored the topics most important to them, often circling back with follow-up questions. Conversations around water usage, noise, and electric rates sparked especially thoughtful discussion — exactly the kind of dialogue these events are meant to foster. 

Nobles County Open House
Nobles County Open House

What We Saw and Heard

People came prepared, asked thoughtful questions, and often stayed longer than planned because the conversations mattered.

Throughout the Open House, attendees were invited to share feedback through comment forms placed around the space. Many highlighted the value of having time to ask questions, speak directly with the project team, and better understand potential local impacts. One comment read:

“Excellent Open House — very knowledgeable and informative staff, great partnership with Nobles Co-op, and the economic impact at a local level makes for a compelling story.”

Nobles County Open House Comment Card

What’s Next

We’re already putting what we heard at the Open House into action. The questions and feedback shared are helping shape how the Nobles County Powered Data Park moves forward — from how we share information to how we engage with local priorities.

Behind the scenes, the project team is busy reviewing questions, identifying common themes, and making sure information and resources are available to support continued learning and conversation. That work includes refining project materials, digging deeper into local priorities, and staying closely connected with community members as the project progresses.

Open houses aren’t just about sharing information — they’re about listening, building trust, and moving projects forward with the community leading the way.

Warm Food, Warm Conversations

Thanks to our local partners at Hy-Vee, guests were welcomed with hot chocolate, coffee, donuts, and warm meals — small touches that made a snowy day feel a little more inviting. Leftover meals were shared with local police, MnDOT crews, and emergency room staff working through the storm.

We’re grateful for the turnout (snowstorm and all) and look forward to many more conversations ahead.

Nobles County Open House

Stay Connected

Missed the Open House? Explore the Virtual Open House anytime.

Follow the Nobles County Powered Data Park on Facebook for updates, photos, and future event information.

Have questions? We’re always happy to continue the conversation! Call us at 507-468-7289 or email [email protected].

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Sidney Nuese Full Res

Sidney Nuese

Senior Project Developer
Geronimo Power

Sidney Nuese is a Senior Project Developer supporting the Nobles County Data Center through the development of its associated wind projects—Plum Creek 1, Plum Creek 2, and Lime Creek. A lifelong resident of southwestern Minnesota, Sidney brings deep local knowledge and nearly a decade of wind development experience. Since joining Geronimo Power in 2016, she has advanced multiple utility-scale wind projects across the region, building strong relationships with landowners and guiding projects from early siting through key development milestones.
 
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Southwest Minnesota State University. Sidney lives near Hendricks, Minnesota with her husband, Jason, and their four children. Outside of work, she enjoys golfing and spending time on the lake.
Marta_Lasch_PRINTSIZE

Marta Lasch

Permitting Lead
Geronimo Power

Marta Lasch is the Permitting Lead for the Nobles County Data Center, where she oversees environmental due diligence and land use permitting across local, state, and federal agencies. With nearly a decade of expertise working at the company, she has advanced over 1,600 MW of utility-scale wind, solar, and storage projects throughout the Midwest and Texas—550 MW of which are in Minnesota. Her work focuses on regulatory compliance, environmental risk mitigation, and coordinating with multiple agencies to advance major infrastructure projects.

Marta holds a B.S. in Geology from Iowa State University. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and dancing with her husband, exploring state parks, gardening, and cheering on the Frost.

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