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STAPLES, MN — Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) will relocate its official headquarters to the Sourcewell building, located at 202 12 th Street NE in Staples, Minnesota, effective April 1, 2026. R5DC is a regional development organization serving Central Minnesota and has been a longtime regional partner of Sourcewell. While the two organizations frequently collaborate to support communities, infrastructure, and economic development across the region, they remain independent entities with separate governance structures, missions, and operations. “Co-locating at Sourcewell reflects our shared commitment to public service, regional collaboration, and responsible use of resources,” said Cheryal Hills, executive director of the Region Five Development Commission. “This move strengthens day-to-day coordination while preserving the independence that allows each organization to serve communities in distinct and complementary ways.” The relocation supports operational efficiency and reinforces R5DC’s mission to provide high-quality planning, economic development, transportation, and community development services to the region. Being housed within the Sourcewell facility allows for proximity and collaboration while maintaining organizational clarity and accountability. “Region Five Development Commission has been a longtime regional partner, and we’re glad to welcome their team to the Sourcewell building,” said Chad Coauette, chief executive officer of Sourcewell. “This move underscores our shared focus on strengthening our region, while maintaining the independence and unique roles that allow both organizations to deliver great service to our communities.” R5DC will continue to deliver comprehensive planning, economic development, transportation, and community development services to the five-county region without interruption. All existing programs, services, and points of contact will remain in place. For more information, visit www.regionfive.org About Region Five Development Commission Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is a regional planning and development organization serving Central Minnesota. R5DC works in partnership with local governments, organizations, and residents to strengthen communities, support economic vitality, and improve quality of life across the region. Its work includes comprehensive and transportation planning, economic and community development, and coordination of regional initiatives that help communities plan for a resilient and sustainable future.

LONG PRAIRIE, MN – Todd County invites community members to review and share feedback on its draft Comprehensive Plan update. The public comment period is open through May 14, 2026. The draft plan is available at RegionFive.org/Todd . Residents, business owners, and community partners are encouraged to review the plan and share their thoughts. This plan will help guide growth and development in Todd County over the next 10 to 15 years. It will also be reviewed regularly to make sure it continues to meet the community’s needs. The Comprehensive Plan helps guide decisions about land use, infrastructure, economic development, the environment, and community services. It was created with input from residents and planning experts and reflects a shared vision for the future of Todd County. To submit public comment, email Thomas Zimmermann at tzimmermann@regionfive.org  by May 14, 2026.   About Region Five Development Commission The Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is a regional planning and development organization serving Central Minnesota. R5DC partners with communities, local governments, and organizations to support economic vitality, strengthen infrastructure, and improve quality of life across the region.

In the heart of Todd County, just north of Long Prairie, a quiet rhythm rises and falls with the shifting seasons. On a modest stretch of irrigated land in Browerville, Minnesota, Trevor and Alex Lisson are raising five children, a herd of dairy cows, and, without fanfare, a legacy that stretches back generations. “Dairy farming’s been on all sides of the family,” says Trevor. “Since they immigrated to Minnesota, it’s been all about milking cows.” His Great Uncle bought it from the railroad, and then his grandfather bought it from him. It continued down through the family when his father bought it from his grandfather ; today, Trevor’s parents still live there. Dairy isn’t just an occupation; it’s a lineage, woven through both bloodline and belief. Growing up, faith and farming shaped him equally. “We’re devout Catholics,” he says. “So, the church and farming go together. It’s part of our DNA. You don’t clock in and clock out. This is who we’ve chosen and have been disciplined to be.” For Trevor, the work is not a job. It’s stewardship. “It’s all a gift… and we get to do good with it—that’s the calling.”   Choosing the Life That Chose Him Like many farm kids, Trevor once imagined another path—beef cattle, electrical work, a job with a local crop farmer. But a different story was already playing itself out in his life. “My grandpa always used to tell me that dairy farming was a very good life,” he says. “That stuck with me.” And later, a loved and respected mentor pushed him further, “It doesn’t matter what the world’s telling you”, he told Trevor. “If you try, you’ll make it.” So, he tried. And he stayed. People warned him he’d never make a living milking cows. Others told him he’d stay a bachelor forever. Instead, Trevor built a successful dairy operation, and then he and Alex met through mutual friends. Their first date was at the Verndale Rodeo. Alex laughs, remembering. “I was very much a town girl. I’d never been to a rodeo. And then I met Trevor and married into dairy farming. It was all so new.” Today, Alex and Trevor run their dairy while raising five children, ages six and under. And while the work is demanding, often 60 to 70 hours a week in the slow seasons, Trevor insists farm life has its own kind of balance. “It’s seasonal. Spring, summer, fall—those are heavy. Winter, we rest in a different kind of way. And Sundays are our family day.”   Children Raised Close to the Land Their boys, ages five and six, already help with morning chores in the warm months. “Thomas is starting to understand this idea of stewardship, of caretaking,” says Trevor. “ ‘I took care of this calf today. I kept this calf alive.’ He’s learning how to look ahead, how to prep for what’s coming. He’s already learning critical thinking.” Kolbe, the younger one, is enamored with machinery. “He could be in a tractor all day long if you let him,” Alex laughs. “He can’t stand to miss anything.” The younger children participate from a distance, but the lessons seep in: patience, responsibility, the joy of being needed.   The Changing Landscape of Dairy The Lissons’ milk goes to Sunrise Ag Co-op (among other places) and is often trucked to Perham to be made into cheese. Sometimes it becomes baby formula, candy bars, or even energy drinks, products most consumers would never associate with small Minnesota dairies. But the industry is shifting. Large corporate farms are consolidating production, bringing tens of thousands of cows online at a single location. “It’s crushing small farms like ours,” Trevor says. “They’re dumping piles of milk on the markets, driving prices down. And then small farmers are told that there’s no point in milking because the market is saturated. And then corporate farms keep expanding.” He’s also concerned about sustainability standards being shaped by corporations in ways that harm small farmers. “The big guys can lobby for requirements they already have systems for. Then they force it down on small farmers. They say it’s about sustainability, but the consumer doesn’t want 250,000 cows on a feedlot. They want small family farms, small productions, quality products from quality labor.” Yet, he sees hope. Across Region Five and throughout Minnesota and the Midwest, there is a growing hunger for local food, traceable systems, humane practices, and relationships with the people who feed us.   More Than Food: Small Farms Build Whole Communities When asked about what people misunderstand most about dairy farming, Trevor didn’t hesitate. “How much care you have to give a cow to make her happy. If she’s happy, she’ll milk well. It’s a give-and-take, the exchange of a lifetime.” Some of Trevor’s cows are descendants of his grandfather’s herd. “We’re still going through life with them,” he says softly. “There’s something really valuable about that.” And when asked about the value of small farms in rural communities, Trevor answers with quiet conviction. “For rural communities, it’s everything. Well-rounded families on farms get a taste of hardship, joy, and fulfillment. Kids bring that into small schools. Local spending goes up. Tax revenue supports local roads. All of it goes together. Small farms are critical.” He’s watched that reality play out in Browerville, where the closing of the local milk plant and, more recently, the co-op store, rippled through town life. Those closures aren’t just about lost services; they’re about the fraying of a local fabric that farmers like the Lissons are still working hard to mend and sustain.   A Hope Rooted in Family “My kids, my family, and my faith give me hope,” Trevor says, smiling at Alex. Both Trevor and Alex want their children to understand what hard work can provide. How community supports you. How family holds you up. “You can work hard and still make it fun,” Alex adds. “There’s fulfillment in it. And knowing we can rely on each other, that’s what I want the kids to hang onto.” The moment the Lissons signed papers on the farm they now call home is one of their clearest memories. Trevor remembers Alex, eight and a half months pregnant, standing beside him as they took ownership of the place where they would raise their children, build their business, and write the first lines of their own legacy. “It was ours,” he says. “This is where we were starting our story.” Small farms endure not because the work is easy or the hours forgiving, but because families like the Lissons quietly choose to stay—to tend, to teach, to hold fast to land and values and each other. Their commitment isn’t loud or sweeping. It’s daily. Steady. Season after season. As Minnesota continues to navigate questions of consolidation, sustainability, and food systems that feel increasingly distant from the people they serve, voices like Trevor and Alex’s remind us of what is at stake. Small farms aren’t simply economic units; they are cultural and relational anchors. They shape the character of our rural towns. They raise children who understand effort, humility, and care. They remind their communities that nourishment is more than nutritional value, it’s connection. And perhaps that is the hope Trevor sees most clearly: that in the hands of the next generation, the rhythms of this place—the milking, the haying, the quiet Sundays, the long conversations with land and livestock—will continue. Not unchanged but not lost. For now, the Lissons are building a life that grows from both the past they inherited and the future they’re preparing to hand off. There’s work to do and uncertainty ahead, but there is also purpose. There is gratitude. There is a deep sense of belonging. In Trevor’s words: “You just keep trying. You keep going.” And in that steady persistence, a whole community deepens, grows stronger, and thrives.

Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) announces 2026 Board of Directors and incoming members.  R5DC Directors include Chairperson Andrea Haverinen, Region 5 School Board Representative; Vice Chairperson Amy Sjoblad, Region 5 School Board Representative; Secretary Julie Polak, Todd County Town Boards; Treasurer Reno Wells, Cass County Town Boards; Directors – Greg Blaine, Morrison County Commissioner; Doug Kern, Crow Wing County Town Boards; David A. Anderson, Wadena County Municipalities. Tyler Gardner, Crow Wing County Municipalities; Chad Turner, Camp Ripley Representative; and Jonathan White, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Representative, are welcomed as the Commission's newest representatives. R5DC is grateful to Sally Fineday, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Representative, and Rian Hofstad, Camp Ripley Representative, for their dedication and service as Commissioners. Executive Director Cheryal Lee Hills shared, “We’re honored to partner with elected officials and public leaders who are committed to advancing regional collaboration and improving quality of life across our rural communities.” The Region Five Development Commission's work is guided by a governing commission comprising 24 members representing a cross-section of constituents from the five-county region. For a full listing of Commission representatives, visit regionfive.org/about .    About Region Five Development Commission Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is a regional planning and development organization serving Central Minnesota. R5DC works in partnership with local governments, organizations, and residents to strengthen communities, support economic vitality, and improve quality of life across the region. Its work includes comprehensive and transportation planning, economic and community development, and coordination of regional initiatives that help communities plan for a resilient and sustainable future.

The City of Remer is updating its Comprehensive Plan and is seeking community input to help create community-developed goals and aspirations to guide future planning efforts. Remer area residents are invited to attend a Community Visioning Session on Monday, April 6, at 4:30 p.m. at 104 Mill Street in Remer.   Community members are asked to participate in the Visioning Session to learn more, share ideas, and get involved in the planning process. Input will help set long-term goals and provide general guidance on community and economic development in Remer.   The City of Remer is working with the Region Five Development Commission, which has completed numerous comprehensive plans for communities throughout the region, typically ranging in size from 300 to over 13,000 people. To learn more about comprehensive planning, visit regionfive.org/comprehensive-planning .   For updates and details about the City of Remer’s Comprehensive Plan process, visit RegionFive.org/Remer . If you are interested in participating on the planning committee, contact Thomas at (218) 249-9079 or via email at tzimmermann@regionfive.org .   About Region Five Development Commission Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is a regional planning and development organization serving Central Minnesota. R5DC works in partnership with local governments, organizations, and residents to strengthen communities, support economic vitality, and improve quality of life across the region. Its work includes comprehensive and transportation planning, economic and community development, and coordination of regional initiatives that help communities plan for a resilient and sustainable future.

PILLAGER, MN — The City of Pillager, in partnership with the Region Five Development Commission, is launching a comprehensive planning initiative. To shape a vision that reflects the community’s priorities, residents are invited to share their input through a survey. This feedback will help establish clear, community-driven goals and aspirations to guide future projects and planning efforts. If you live, work, play, or spend time in Pillager, we’d love to hear your ideas! Take a few minutes to complete the short, anonymous community survey. The survey is open now through February 24, 2026, and you can fill it out online at regionfive.org/pillager or pick up a paper copy at Pillager City Hall. To learn more, visit regionfive.org/pillager . You may also contact Savannah by email at swinkler@regionfive.org or by phone at (218) 330-0554, or Thomas at tzimmermann@regionfive.org or by phone at (320) 249.9079. 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. R5DC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Visit regionfive.org to learn more.

STAPLES - Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) has announced its annual award recipients, recognizing exceptional partners whose leadership and collaboration have strengthened communities and advanced economic development across Central Minnesota. Recipients were recognized at an event held at Gather on 3 in Brainerd, MN, on Thursday, December 4th, 2025.   Doug Kern (R5DC), Jason Atwater, Tyler Glynn, Cheryal Hills (R5DC), Greg Springer, and Max Walter for CTC. (L to R) This year’s honorees include CTC, named Exceptional Service Provider for its long-standing partnership with R5DC and critical role in expanding broadband infrastructure and supporting regional resilience efforts; and the Minnesota Department of Commerce, recognized as Exceptional Regional Partner for its leadership in securing state and federal investments that have helped rural communities advance energy, climate, and economic priorities.   Doug Kern, Brian Strub, Kari Moeller, Maria Laverdiere, Leah Wilkes, Jeff Bartlett, and Cheryal Hills for the Minnesota Department of Commerce. (L to R) R5DC also honored two locally rooted businesses as Outstanding Business Partners: 2 Tall Tavern, in Cushing, a community gathering place known for its welcoming atmosphere and local events, and Beck’s Burger Co., in Staples, a family-owned restaurant that transformed a vacant downtown space into a thriving business built on local sourcing, job creation, and community pride. Both businesses leveraged funding from the North Central Economic Development Association (NCEDA), the non-profit lending arm of R5DC.   Doug Kern, Jackie Stevens, Jordan Freese, Aleeah Halverson, Victoria Nitti, Chelsea Weite, Jenny Platz, Cheryal Hills, and Megan Beard accepting for Beck's Burger Co. (L to R) “These award recipients reflect the heart of our region - strong partnerships, local leadership, and a shared commitment to building vibrant communities,” said Cheryal Hills, Executive Director of R5DC and NCEDA. “Their collaboration and investment have made a real difference for the people and places we serve.”   For more information about R5DC and its work across Central Minnesota, visit regionfive.org

PILLAGER, MN—The City of Pillager is updating its Comprehensive Plan and is seeking community input to help create community-developed goals and aspirations to guide future planning efforts. Pillager area residents are invited to attend a Community Visioning Session on Tuesday, January 6, at 5:30 p.m. at the Pillager School CTC Center, 323 East 2 nd  Street South in Pillager.   Community members are asked to participate in the Visioning Session to learn more, share ideas, and get involved in the planning process. Input will help set long-term goals and provide general guidance on community and economic development in Pillager.   The City of Pillager is working with the Region Five Development Commission, which has completed numerous comprehensive plans for communities throughout the region, typically ranging in size from 300 to over 13,000 people. To learn more about comprehensive planning, visit regionfive.org/comprehensive-planning .   For updates and details about the City of Pillager’s Comprehensive Plan process, visit regionfive.org/Pillager . If you are interested in participating on the planning committee, contact Savannah at (218) 330-0554 or via email at swinkler@regionfive.org .   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. R5DC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Visit regionfive.org to learn more.

WADENA, MN—The City of Wadena is updating its Comprehensive Plan and is seeking community input to help create community-developed goals and aspirations to guide future planning efforts. Wadena area residents are invited to share feedback by taking a community survey. Input from community members will help set long-term goals and provide general guidance on community and economic development in Wadena. The survey can be accessed by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/wadenacity . Paper copies will also be available at City Hall.   The City of Wadena is working with the Region Five Development Commission, which has completed numerous comprehensive plans for communities throughout the region, typically ranging in size from 300 people to over 13,000. To learn more about comprehensive planning, visit regionfive.org/comprehensive-planning .   For updates and details about the City of Wadena’s Comprehensive Plan process, visit regionfive.org/wadena . If you are interested in participating on the planning committee, contact Savannah at (218) 330-0554 or via email at swinkler@regionfive.org .

WADENA, MN—The City of Wadena is updating its Comprehensive Plan and is seeking community input to help create community-developed goals and aspirations to guide future planning efforts. Wadena area residents are invited to attend a Community Visioning Session on Tuesday, November 18, at 5:30 p.m. at the Wellness Center, 17 Fifth Street Southwest in Wadena.   Community members are asked to participate in the Visioning Session to learn more, share ideas, and get involved in the planning process. Input will help set long-term goals and provide general guidance on community and economic development in Wadena.   The City of Wadena is working with the Region Five Development Commission, which has completed numerous comprehensive plans for communities throughout the region, typically ranging in size from 300 people to over 13,000. To learn more about comprehensive planning, visit regionfive.org/comprehensive-planning .   For updates and details about the City of Wadena’s Comprehensive Plan process and to take the community survey, visit regionfive.org/wadena . If you are interested in participating on the planning committee, contact Savannah at (218) 330-0554 or via email at swinkler@regionfive.org .

REMER, MN – Northland Community Schools is one of fifteen schools in Minnesota that will benefit from planning assistance supporting the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. Safe Routes to School is an international program designed to improve safety, reduce traffic congestion around schools, increase physical activity, and enhance health by making it easier for students to walk or bicycle to school. Planning assistance grants provide communities with the resources to convene a team, understand key issues, prioritize strategies, and identify solutions tailored to local needs. “Thanks to this funding, students across the state can learn how to do these lifelong, foundational activities in a safer setting, and embrace active modes of transportation,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. SRTS plays a vital role in supporting the safety and well-being of students in Remer, Minnesota, where limited infrastructure and rural road conditions can create barriers to walking and biking. By improving pedestrian crossings, trail connections, and signage, the SRTS program helps ensure that students have safe, accessible, and reliable routes to and from school. In a community like Remer, where schools serve as a central hub for families and local events, SRTS investments strengthen community connectivity, promote healthier lifestyles, and foster greater independence for children while reducing traffic congestion around schools. Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) will assist in facilitating the planning process which will include a parent survey, an in-class student tally, walking audits to identify potential infrastructure deficiencies, a school zone hazard observational assessment, identification of issues and barriers, and an information sharing event the Trunk or Treat Event on October 31, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Northland Community Education, 316 E. Main Street in Remer. If you are interested in participating in the Northland Community Schools planning team in Remer, contact Kevin Behrens at 218-884-0998 or via email at kbehrens@regionfive.org . Northland Community Schools wants to continue improving students' safety and well-being by understanding potential barriers to walking or biking to school. Share your insights by completing the survey: surveymonkey.com/r/Q3QKX26   For more details on Safe Routes to School, visit https://www.dot.state.mn.us/saferoutes/index.html .

When Stephanie Hoehle first imagined her future, it didn’t include a boutique. In fact, she was preparing to open a daycare facility in Little Falls just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down nearly everything—and forced her to pivot. “It was one of those moments where I realized I needed to change direction,” she says. That shift in direction led Stephanie to a job at a local med spa with a small, unused storefront room—and a spark of inspiration. She had long enjoyed shopping at boutiques herself and thought,  Why not start something simple right here? That seed of an idea soon bloomed into  Ohana Boutique,  which officially opened its doors in February 2024. The name  Ohana —a Hawaiian word meaning family—was inspired by her son and the beloved movie  Lilo & Stitch , whose famous line,  Ohana means family. No one gets left behind,  still resonates deeply with her. “It felt like the perfect fit,” Stephanie says. “Family is at the center of everything I do.” Stephanie rents the front space from the med spa, transforming it into a warm, welcoming shop that draws in foot traffic from downtown and spa visitors alike. With a carefully curated collection of clothing, gifts, lotions, sprays, and other thoughtful items, Ohana Boutique has quickly become a favorite local stop. “I try to keep my prices as low as I can while still making a living,” Stephanie says. “It’s important to me that people feel comfortable coming in and finding something special—whether it's a treat for themselves or a quick gift for someone else.” The community has been supportive since day one, and Stephanie credits her strong first year in part to the blend of regulars and seasonal visitors, as well as downtown events and craft fairs that bring people through the door. Still, like many entrepreneurs, she knew she’d need financial support to get the business off the ground—and that’s where North Central Economic Development Association (NCEDA) came in. Working with Julie Anderholm and the SBDC to create a business plan, Stephanie was introduced to NCEDA’s Entrepreneur Loan Fund. She ultimately partnered with Stephanie Barney at NCEDA to secure a loan that, combined with her own personal investment, helped launch the boutique. “Everyone I worked with was just amazing,” she says. “They answered all my questions—still do, if anything comes up—and were just super responsive and easy to work with. That kind of support means everything when you’re doing something scary and new.” Now, over a year in, Stephanie is already dreaming about what’s next. She’s exploring opportunities to expand into more space within the building and hopes to take Ohana Boutique on the road for more pop-ups and local events. “Life gets busy, but being part of the community in that way really matters to me,” she says. Stephanie still works a full-time job and is a mom of three, but the boutique has given her a new sense of creative and financial freedom. “If I could go back and tell myself one thing, it would be not to wait so long,” she says. “It’s scary, yes, but so worth it.” To others thinking about launching their own small business, she offers this advice:  Just go for it. “There’s always going to be fear and risk,” she says. “But you can’t grow if you don’t start. And with support like what I received from NCEDA, it’s possible to take that leap.” For Stephanie Hoehle, Ohana Boutique is more than a storefront. It’s a story of resilience, family, and finding your way back to joy.