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Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) welcomes the addition of Brendan Lee-Gilligan. Lee-Gilligan joins R5DC as a Minnesota GreenCorps member. His focus will be on energy and environment planning and projects. Lee-Gilligan is a recent college graduate with a degree in Environmental Studies. In his senior year, he worked from school remotely due to the pandemic. During this time, he wrote a thesis paper on how the United States could go about protecting honeybees and preventing Colony Collapse Disorder. The Minnesota GreenCorps program, coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, aims to preserve and protect Minnesota’s environment while training a new generation of environmental professionals. Members serve at their host sites for 11 months, from mid-September through mid-August. Host sites include cities, counties, tribal nations, public schools, universities, watershed districts, and nonprofit organizations. About Region Five Development Commission Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is a high-performing, regionally focused partner providing community development, economic development and transportation initiatives in central Minnesota. R5DC programs are strategic and resilient in nature, and contain an inclusive and collaborative approach, with an emphasis on local foods/agricultural and renewable energy economy. Visit regionfive.org/about to learn more. About Minnesota GreenCorps Minnesota GreenCorps is an AmeriCorps program. Funding is provided through a grant from ServeMinnesota, AmeriCorps, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Participating host site organizations also provide in-kind resources. Learn more at: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/waste/minnesota-greencorps

WASHINGTON, DC – Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) based in Staples, MN has received a 2021 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for rural energy and environment planning. Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is currently working with small, rural cities to develop Energy and Environment Action Plans that help cities implement and envision energy and environment-related projects in their communities. NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promote programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through regional cooperation, program delivery, and comprehensive strategies. The association’s Impact Awards program recognizes regional development organizations and their partners for improving the economic and community competitiveness of our nation’s regions and local communities. Award-winning projects were recognized during NADO’s 2021 Annual Training Conference, held in Portland, OR on October 16-19. The 2021 class of award recipients consists of 102 projects from 70 organizations spanning 24 states. These projects are presented in an interactive “Story Map” developed by NADO that includes project summaries, partners, and images. The Story Map is available online at: https://www.nado.org/2021_impactawards/ “During the past 20 months, regional development organizations across the country have shown just how valuable they are in supporting the local communities they serve,” said 2019-2021 NADO President Kevin Byrd, executive director of the New River Valley Regional Commission, located in Radford, VA. “From COVID-19 response and recovery initiatives, to workforce and economic development projects, to social services programs and much more, the 2021 NADO Impact Awardees highlight the many ways our members work on the ground every day to improve quality of life in their regions.” The NADO Impact Awards are presented in honor of the late Aliceann Wohlbruck who was NADO’s first executive director and served 24 years as a tireless champion for regional approaches to economic development in rural communities. For more information about this award-winning project, contact Angela Anderson via email at aanderson@regionfive.org or by phone at 218-894-6017. ### Since 1967 the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) has provided advocacy, education, networking, and research for the national network of 540 regional development organizations. NADO members provide professional, programmatic, and technical assistance to over 2,300 counties and 15,000 municipalities.

Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is the recipient of a $420,000.00 two-year grant from the Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF) to fund a program that advances goals of the Regional Prosperities initiative. This program seeks to share economic and community development tools to cultivate locally controlled, equitable economies, especially in low-wealth and rural communities, with a focus on resiliency and inclusivity. Over a two-year period, R5DC will collaborate with local leaders to connect the region to resources, tools, and opportunities to advance cultural knowledge and create bridges to overcome differences. This will include training and workshops, a fellowship program, culinary artist in residency program, and continued support of the Community Supported Agriculture program serving those who need access to healthy, nutritious foods. If you are interested in the CSA program, contact Fallon Ryan at (320) 412-3081. To get involved, or to learn more about the Regional Prosperities program, contact Dawn Espe at (218) 894-3233 Ext. 3 or via email at despe@regionfive.org. With the NWAF investment, R5DC joins with Sprout MN, Welcoming Community Advocacy Groups, Justice System Consortium, and other regional, state and national partners to deliver this important program. About Northwest Area Foundation Northwest Area Foundation focuses on supporting organizations anchored in the culture of the people they serve and dedicated to expanding economic opportunity in under-resourced communities. It specializes in the fields of promoting financial inclusion and fostering native American economic development. About Region Five Development Commission The Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is a high-performing, regionally focused partner committed to enhancing the vitality and quality of life in Region 5 through resilient, collaborative, and inclusive approaches to regional community development, economic development, and transportation initiatives. R5DC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Visit regionfive.org to learn more.

Community leaders in Region 5 added their voices and perspectives to a statewide conversation on rural Minnesota’s best opportunities to advance broadband access and use. This week’s virtual Building on Broadband: Inspiring Progress conference brought together broadband champions from across the state to share ideas, make connections, and strategize together on how to prepare for the biggest infusion of federal broadband funding ever available. The conference was hosted by Blandin Foundation with support from the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development, Growth & Justice, Collectivity, and Lead for Minnesota. This year’s conference featured a three-day report out with themes from eight regional broadband meetings held from August to October 2021. The regional meeting was held on September 30th and brought together over 55 people from Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena counties. Top themes, resulting from input and perspectives from more than 300 people across the state, included the need for more local broadband champions, frequent and digestible funding updates for community champions, cross-county coordination and adaptive funding mechanisms that incentivize broadband providers. “Our five-county region is fortunate to have three telephone cooperatives who are working hard to get fiber to our rural communities and residents. Combining this with federal, state and local funding sources has brought fiber to places like Long Prairie, Wadena and Emily,” stated Dawn Espe, Region Five Development Commission’s Equitable Development Specialist. “There is still much work to be done and having these tele-cos and funding sources working together continues to close the gap on quality broadband access.” The regional broadband gatherings and statewide conference land at a time when townships, cities and counties are preparing for an unprecedented amount of available funding. From the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) to the American Rescue Plan Act’s Capital Projects Fund, multiplied with the anticipated passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, there will be millions in broadband investment coming to Minnesota. Coordination of the multiple funding streams and project eligibility are among the top two questions of broadband champions right now. To learn more about how your community is working for better broadband access and use, visit www.blandinonbroadband.org and view your county’s current broadband profile at https://bit.ly/MNbroadbandprofiles. All broadband conference sessions and materials are available at www.blandinonbroadband.org.

STAPLES, MN – Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) recently received a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) Grant Program in the amount of $160,000. This grant, coupled with funding from Morgan Family Foundation and Sourcewell, allows R5DC to work with eight communities to develop energy and environment plans and project implementation. The communities selected are from throughout Crow Wing, Cass, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties. In 2020, R5DC began energy and environment planning and implementation with two communities: Staples and Hackensack. Those plans are now approved by the cities, with each city awarded $10,000 to start implementing their action steps. Because of the success of the pilot year program, R5DC applied for the funding from Morgan Family Foundation, USDA and Sourcewell to work with eight more communities on Energy and Environment Plans and projects. “We appreciate that a trio of USDA, the Morgan Family Foundation and Sourcewell all value a process of local community-designed strategies, implemented in ways that honor local environmental stewardship goals,” said R5DC Executive Director Cheryal Hills. “We are excited to be part of this important work and shall report how communities choose to deploy these investments,” The energy & environment planning process prioritizes projects that complement and support a city's comprehensive plans and county's hazard mitigation plans. Through community meetings and surveys, projects are prioritized into a five-year action plan that includes investments and timelines and identifies additional resources for further implementation. Once the community-driven blueprint is in place, an investment of at least $10,000.00 will be awarded for project implementation. To learn more, visit: www.regionfive.org/eep About Region Five Development Commission The Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is a high-performing, regionally focused partner committed to enhancing the vitality and quality of life in Region 5 through resilient, collaborative, and inclusive approaches to regional community development, economic development, and transportation initiatives. R5DC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Visit regionfive.org to learn more. About USDA RCDI Grant Program RCDI grants are awarded to help non-profit housing and community development organizations, low-income rural communities and federally recognized tribes support housing, community facilities and community and economic development projects in rural areas. Learn more at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-community-development-initiative-grants

R5DC is seeking people to participate in the AARP Community Challenge Grant To learn more about this opportunity, visit www.regionfive.org/aarp About the AARP Community Challenge Grant MISSION STATEMENT: A grant program to make communities more livable for people of all ages with tangible improvements that jump-start long-term change. In its 5th year, AARP is announcing the largest number of Community Challenge grants to date, awarding more than $3.2 million among 244 grantees across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. AARP believes that great communities take a long time to build and sustain. But also believes that “quick actions” can be the spark for long-term progress. Our quick-action project will demonstrate changes and help build momentum to improve livability for residents of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities right here in Region 5 - Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties in Central MN. This year, the AARP Community Challenge funded projects that achieve one of several outcomes. Our project will support local recovery from the coronavirus pandemic by emphasizing economic development, improvements to public spaces, and transportation services. For more information on all of this year’s grantees and their projects, go to AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. You can see a map featuring this year’s Community Challenge projects, previous year’s grantees, as well as communities that are members of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities at AARP’s livable communities interactive map at aarp.org/livablemap.

Online application portal will open by 10:00 a.m. on September 20, 2021. Interested businesses are encouraged to attend one of the following webinars: Tues., Sept. 14 at 11 am: Click here to join. This session will be hosted by DEED through the Microsoft Teams platform. Wed., Sept. 15 at 1:30 pm: Click here to register. This session will be hosted by the Northland (Duluth) SBDC. Upon registration, the participant will receive the session Zoom link. Mon., Sept. 20 at 10 am: Click here to join. This session will be hosted by DEED through the Microsoft Teams platform. $10,000 to $25,000 grants will be available to Minnesotan owned and operated businesses that can demonstrate financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. Minnesota DEED will oversee the program and partner with the Initiative Foundation to administer and disburse funds in Central Minnesota. The program will award $64.2 million through a computer-generated, randomized selection process. Businesses may receive a grant amount based on the number of their full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. $10,000 – 6 FTEs or less. $15,000 – Between 7 and 49 FTEs $20,000 – Between 50 and 99 FTEs $25,000 – Between 100 and 200 FTEs Grant funds must be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, and other similar expenses that occur or have occurred since March 12, 2020. Applicants that have not received assistance through previous relief programs will be prioritized for consideration. These programs include the Small Business Emergency Loan program, the Small Business Relief Grant Program, the Movie Theater and Convention Center Relief Grant program, and the County Relief Grant program.

Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is soliciting bids from licensed architectural & engineering firms to submit proposals for a project with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (LLBO) to provide architectural & engineering services for the LLBO Construction Industry Workforce Training Facility. Interested parties are urged to review the request for proposal details posted on the R5DC website at http://www.regionfive.org/llbo-rfp. The deadline for responses is September 15, 2021. Proposals and questions should be submitted to Erica Bjelland at ebjelland@regionfive.org.

Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is thrilled to announce we have been selected to receive a 2021 AARP Community Challenge grant. We are one of only 244 grantees selected from across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. With this “quick-action” grant we will provide transit passes, transit training, and memberships to local health and wellness center to 50 individuals throughout the region. This effort aims to reintegrate individuals into the community who may have been isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic and to help communities within the region become more livable for people of all ages. “We are incredibly proud that AARP selected R5DC to receive this grant,” stated R5DC Regional Development Planner Matt Kallroos. “AARP is a nationwide leader on making neighborhoods, towns, and cities more livable for all residents and we are honored that they see the tangible value this project will bring to our community.” About the Community Challenge The Community Challenge funds innovative projects that inspire change in areas such as transportation, public spaces, housing, diversity and inclusion, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery and more. It’s all part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places for all residents. AARP believes that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life. To learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge across the nation – including all 244 granted projects this year, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all Community Challenge projects and AARP’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable. About Region Five Development Commission Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is a high-performing, regionally focused partner committed to enhancing the vitality and quality of life for all people in Region 5 through resilient, collaborative, and inclusive approaches to regional community development, economic development, and transportation initiatives. Visit regionfive.org to learn more.

Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) announces the release of the Equity Action Guide for Rural Communities. This action guide was created by a team of community champions from Growth & Justice with the support of the R5DC staff and project team members. The Equity Action Guide responds to requests from rural Minnesotans and was created as a road map on how to create equitable economic ecosystems (E3). The guide shares stories from people who have worked on equity and inclusion in small to mid-sized communities for a long time. The case studies in the guide are intentionally gathered from Greater Minnesota and are rooted in Minnesota and Midwestern good instincts and emerging practices in equitable and inclusive community and economic development. The creation of this guide and the larger effort to foster regional shared prosperity is led by the E3 project team at R5DC in Central Minnesota. It is funded by the Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF) with additional support from the McKnight Foundation, Blandin Foundation, and Sourcewell. In recent years, these organizations have made impactful investments in strengthening rural areas in Minnesota, helping people and places thrive. To view this guide, please visit www.regionfive.org/welcoming-communities About Region Five Development Commission Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is a high-performing, regionally focused partner committed to enhancing the vitality and quality of life in Region 5 through resilient, collaborative, and inclusive approaches to regional community development, economic development, and transportation initiatives. Visit regionfive.org to learn more. About Growth & Justice Growth & Justice is a non-partisan research and advocacy non-profit that brings people, practices, and policies together to create a more just and equitable future, for ALL Minnesotans. Learn more at www.growthandjustice.org.

The City of Staples is currently participating in Energy & Environment (EE) planning and project implementation with Region Five Development Commission. Public input is requested for the EE planning survey. This plan will help create community-developed environment and energy goals and projects based on the City’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan and Hazard Mitigation Plans. This plan is one of two pilot Energy and Environment planning processes in Region 5 and is supported by a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). At the end of the planning process, the city will have concrete energy and environment-related action steps and $10,000 from the MPCA to start implementing the outlined goals. If you live, work, play or visit in Staples, we ask that you please complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/staples-eep To learn more, visit www.regionfive.org/eep You may also contact Erica Bjelland at ebjelland@regionfive.org or by phone at (218) 894-6011. The survey is open December 22nd through February 20th. About Region Five Development Commission The Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is a high-performing, regionally focused partner committed to enhancing the vitality and quality of life in Region 5 through resilient, collaborative, and inclusive approaches to regional community development, economic development, and transportation initiatives. R5DC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Visit regionfive.org to learn more.

As result of the hearing from communities throughout Crow Wing, Cass, Morrison, Todd and Wadena Counties, the Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) has launched Energy & Environment (EE) planning and project implementation initiative. In 2020, R5DC began EE planning and implementation with two communities; Staples and Hackensack. To serve more communities in our five-county region, R5DC will apply to USDA for an investment that would allow 10 more communities to further this work. The opportunity is open to all communities throughout the region and R5DC will serve the first 10 who respond with interest. Once the community-driven blueprint is in place, an investment of $10,000.00 will be utilized for project implementation. R5DC invites your city to participate in local planning to mitigate against your community’s unique identified near-term energy and environment risks. To learn more, visit: www.regionfive.org/eep About Region Five Development Commission The Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is a high-performing, regionally focused partner committed to enhancing the vitality and quality of life in Region 5 through resilient, collaborative, and inclusive approaches to regional community development, economic development, and transportation initiatives. R5DC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Visit regionfive.org to learn more. About USDA RCDI Grant Program RCDI grants are awarded to help non-profit housing and community development organizations, low-income rural communities and federally recognized tribes support housing, community facilities and community and economic development projects in rural areas. Learn more at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-community-development-initiative-grants