Former U.S. Rep. Tim Penny stopped in Austin Wednesday to discuss early childhood policies and initiatives with the Austin Kiwanis.

Penny, President and CEO of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, touted the foundation’s efforts in recent years to bolster community initiatives and partner with local organizations to provide programs for young families and small children.

“This is one of the most important decisions we can make as a society,” Penny said.

Penny will be in the area Wednesday and Thursday to tour various organizations that benefit from ties to SMIF. Penny and SMIF board members will hold a lunchtime forum with area leaders and early childhood education leaders Thursday at The Hormel Institute, where they will talk about Austin’s Early Childhood and Family Education program. Austin is one of 20 communities that SMIF has ties with. Penny and SMIF staff will also tour Akkerman Inc. Thursday afternoon.