R5DC Honored with 2026 Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations
Region Five Development Commission has recently been recognized with a 2026 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for the Train and Retain Meat Cutting Project. The Train and Retain Meat Cutting Project strengthens Minnesota’s meat processing workforce by recruiting, training, and retaining skilled meat cutters for small- and mid-sized processors. R5DC led the project with Minnesota Department of Agriculture grant funding, coordinating partners, resources, and program development. The project awarded 31 scholarships, allowing 24 students to receive meat cutting training at Central Lakes College during the 2025–2026 school year and prepare for immediate employment.
Presented annually, the NADO Impact Awards honor regional development organizations and their partners for strengthening communities, building regional resilience, and enhancing local economies through creative approaches to economic and community development. NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies.
“Each year, the Impact Awards celebrate the remarkable work being done by regional development organizations to strengthen communities and improve quality of life,” said 2025-2026 NADO President Matthew Dolge, Executive Director of the Piedmont Triad Regional Council in North Carolina. “This year’s honorees demonstrate how strategic leadership, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to progress can create meaningful and lasting benefits across the country.”
“This project is a strong example of how regional collaboration can address real workforce needs while supporting local businesses and rural economies,” said Cheryal Lee Hills, Executive Director of R5DC. “By helping remove financial barriers to training, we are connecting students with meaningful career pathways and ensuring Minnesota’s small- and mid-sized meat processors have access to the skilled workers they need to grow and serve their communities.”
The Impact Awards are presented in memory of Aliceann Wohlbruck, NADO’s first executive director, who was a lifelong advocate for regional solutions and rural economic development.
For more information, contact Sr. Regional Planner Staci Headley at 218.831.0137 or sheadley@regionfive.org.
About R5DC
Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is a regional planning and development organization serving Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena counties in Central Minnesota. R5DC collaborates with communities, organizations, businesses, and partners to support community and economic development, transportation planning, access to capital, environmental stewardship, and regional collaboration. Visit www.regionfive.org to learn more.
About NADO
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) promotes public policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through the regional strategies, coordination efforts, and program expertise of the nation’s regional development organizations. Learn more about NADO at www.nado.org.
