CEDA representative, Mary Kennedy led efforts to organize a Business Tour Day for all 9th and 10th grade students at Blue Earth Area High School on February 4th. The event, which was the second of three scheduled events for the school year aimed to connect students with local professionals to showcase the job and career opportunities available in the Blue Earth area. 30 businesses from around the school district participated, offering 30-minute tours. The students, who were organized into 14 different groups each toured seven businesses and had lunch catered. “My favorite part of the day was talking to several students who had asked for job applications at tour stops,” Kennedy said. The events are being planned and organized by the Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV) group. The goal of the program, which includes one more career event this school year, more than 40 businesses, and all students in grades 9 and 10 is to show students that there are job opportunities in a variety of industries and that the community supports whatever path students choose after high school; whether that be entering the workforce, taking classes at a technical school, or pursuing a 4-year college degree. Whatever path they choose, REV hopes that the program this program provides a platform for relationship building, and offers information for the students to make educated decisions about their futures, and hopefully brings them back to work or open businesses someday. “I can’t say enough about the support the business community offered through this event. Operations were stopped for hours to provide students an inside glimpse at the behind the scenes work of career areas they have expressed interest in. When so many people come together to share the passion they have for their jobs and the community they work in, amazing things happen.” Kennedy shared.