Arlene Jones, Executive Director of Sprout, shares the impacts the CARES Act funding had on their organization during the pandemic. To learn more about loan programs through R5DC's non-profit lending arm, visit northcentraleda.org ..read more

In this episode, my colleague BJ Allen, R5DC's Deputy Director, sits down with Betsey Suchanic and Dee Shaw from New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN) to talk about their Inclusive Recovery Guide. You can learn more about NGIN, check out the guide and become part of their online community at recovery.newgrowth.org ..read more

In this episode, we share information about the Agricultural Mental Health & Wellness Program, supported in partnership by the MN Department of Agriculture, Minnesota State Agricultural Centers of Excellence and Region Five Development Commission. Keith Olander and Monica McConkey join us to share stressors and strategies for overall well-being. Staci Headley from R5DC also joins us. For more information about this program, visit regionfive.org/local-foods   ..read more

Cheryal Hills, R5DC's executive director, shares why we focus on equity work as a regional economic and community development organization in central Minnesota. Learn more about our work in this space at regionfive.org/welcoming-communities ..read more

Cheryal Hills, Executive Director of R5DC, and Arlene Jones, Executive Director of Sprout MN, share details about the new AgVet Program, enhancing agricultural opportunities for military veterans and their families. To learn more, visit regionfive.org/military-connections This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Program, project 1029231 and will be implemented over a three-year period ..read more

Listen as Katie Retka, Adrienne Benjamin,  and Erica Bjelland share details about the beautiful Wayfinding Project created by the Welcoming Advocacy Group in Little Falls. This project ties together the themes of cultural resources with the history of how energy and natural resources have shaped our local community.  Visit regionfive.org/welcoming-communities to learn more ..read more

Learn more about Welcoming Advocacy Group Go North. Guests include Kathy Hachey, Go North; Tom Lillehei, Breezy Point,  and Dawn Espe, Sr. Regional Development Planner at R5DC. Visit regionfive.org/welcoming-communities to learn more ..read more

Learn more about the launch of the Rural Communities Equity Action Guide. Guests include Martin Jennings, Program Officer at the Northwest Area Foundation; Jane Leonard, President at Growth & Justice; and Dawn Espe, Sr. Regional Development Planner at R5DC. Visit regionfive.org/equity to learn more ..read more

We share details about renewable energy and energy planning in our region. Guests include BJ Allen and Jason Edens, JBJ World; Cheryal Hills and Erica Bjelland, R5DC & NCEDA. Learn more at regionfive.org/eep ..read more

We share details about the Transportation Advisory Council in Central MN. Guests include Steve Voss, MN Department of Transportation; Tim Bray, Crow Wing County; Chuck Parins, Morrison County Public Works and R5DC Township Representative for Morrison County; Tad Erickson, R5DC Senior Regional Planner. Learn more at regionfive.org. For more information about MnDOT, listeners can go to MnDOT’s website at MnDOT.gov.  From this website, you can access the MnDOT District 3 website by going to the left side of the opening page, finding the statewide map, and clicking on the “Central MN” area ..read more