MARSHALL — They had a presence in Marshall for more than 40 years, providing employment support for people with disabilities. But while Service Enterprises, Inc., is still operating, changing service needs led SEI to close its Marshall satellite office in December.

“It was a really tough decision,” said Karin Ramey, executive director of SEI. But at the same time, she said, it was a decision that had been coming for a while.

Ramey said SEI is still serving people in Lyon, Redwood and surrounding counties, providing services like vocational training, employment and day support services to people with disabilities and mental illness.

The Marshall satellite office closed at the end of 2025, Ramey said. In the lead-up to the closing, SEI staff worked with clients to transition to other support providers, or to build job search and interview skills for competitive employment.

According to a history of the office in SEI’s winter newsletter, at one time the Marshall program served more than 50 individuals in the community. By 2025, the number had decreased to nine clients, Ramey said.

SEI has been active in southwest Minnesota in different forms for more than 56 years. The Redwood County Day Activity Center was founded in 1969 in Redwood Falls. In the 1970s, a program called Willing Hands, which helped individuals with disabilities get job experience, moved in with the DAC. The two organizations merged in 1992, creating Service Enterprises, Inc.

SEI had a satellite office in Marshall for more than 40 years. SEI’s housekeeping crews were popular choices for employment, but over time client needs and interests changed.

Ramey said other factors have changed over time, too, including changes in state program structures and changes in referrals. The number of service providers working with people with disabilities has also grown in Marshall compared to 40 years ago, she said.

Ramey said today, SEI continues to provide employment, social activity and personal care programs to individuals from age 18 to 80.

“Though our programs and name have changed several times, our commitment to providing opportunities for people has remained,” Ramey said. “At the heart of our mission is the belief that all individuals can work and contribute to society given the proper tools and environment.”