The staff of RNDC hopes you had a happy holiday season and wishes you a great 2023! |
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Region Nine Delegation Travels to North Rhine-Westphalia |
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A delegation from Region Nine traveled to North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany. The delegation was made up of RNDC Commissioners, staff members, and business leaders from the region. While there, the group toured NRW to learn about their welcoming communities and clean energy initiatives.
NRW has multiple communities involved with an international exchange called Climate Smart Municipalities (CSM). CSM partners with communities from Minnesota and Germany so that they can learn from one another. RNDC is also a regional partner for CSM, and that is how the initial connection was made. NRW calls itself the “diversity state” due to its rural, industrial, and multi-culture population. They are leaders in developing clean energy initiatives at a local level.
RNDC Community Development Planner and Lead Delegation Planner, Paola Ferrario said, “This was a fantastic opportunity to network and learn from one another. A significant part of this trip was that we were not only getting to learn from the Germans but also getting to share successes happening in our region and state as well. They were just as eager to learn from us about how we are approaching clean energy and building welcoming communities in Minnesota as we were from them, which is an incredible feeling.”
When asked about the importance of the delegation visiting NRW, Paola added, “This delegation allowed us to learn from each other, the challenges and the successes, share new ideas, and inspire us to think differently to find creative solutions for our region. The BUSH Foundation allowed us to deepen the relationship we already built with NRW and explore how we can work together to benefit all of our communities. This does not stop at just clean energy or building more welcoming communities but opening new channels for other opportunities and resources as well.”
Virginia Mooty Rutter, Director of Engagement & Strategic Initiatives for Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM) also joined the delegation. Virginia recently shared her takeaways on the CEEM website. You can read her blog post here.
You can learn more about the delegation’s trip by clicking the button below.
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RNDC Celebrates 50 Years of Serving the Region |
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Since 1972, RNDC has worked on behalf of the residents of Region Nine. From helping businesses get off the ground, to helping communities recover from natural disasters, RNDC has been there to provide funding, planning, and expertise to the area.
The commission is taking a look back at five decades of service with a celebration taking place at the January commission meeting. The event will be held at the historic Kato Ballroom and will feature current and former commissioners, staff, partners, and regional stakeholders.
RNDC Chair Mike Laven and Executive Director Nicole Griensewic will discuss highlights from the last year and plans for 2023. Former U.S. Representative and current President of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), Tim Penny will be on hand to talk about the importance of partnerships in regional development. There will be an interview with Colette Stone, widow of former RNDC Executive Director and NADO President Terry Stone as well as other special guests.
RNDC would like to thank the residents of Region Nine for supporting the commission as we look ahead to the next 50 years of being your partner for progress.
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RLF Spotlight - Rustic Farmer
Reviving the Past for Montgomery's Future
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RNDC Finance Director Ky Battern, Finance Specialist Frances Long, and Communications Specialist Nathan George visited Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) client Rustic Farmer in Montgomery. They were given a tour of the buildings by Co-Founders Julie Bifano and Scott Stasney.
The historic brick building, built in 1880, is the oldest in Montgomery. Since then the building has been a harness shop, a saloon, and an automotive repair shop. The history of the building is very important to Julie and Scott and they have worked to keep the nostalgic atmosphere, while still modernizing the amenities. Julie said, “We spent a lot of time going to salvage places just to put in a door that would be period specific.”
Restoring the Rustic Farmer building to its former glory has been a labor of love for both founders. It is not only their business, but it has become their passion and something they wished they would have started earlier in their careers. “We had no experience in historic buildings or restoration. If we had done this 25 years ago, it would have changed the course of my career,” said Julie.
Their hard work has paid off. Due to the restorations and a lot of leg work, downtown Montgomery is celebrating two years of being recognized as a historic district. It has also become an iconic location for weddings and gatherings. Julie said, “When you see a picture of someone with that back wall, people know it’s here. When people see that gate, they know it’s here.”
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The revolving loan provided by RNDC has helped Julie and Scott create a truly beautiful addition to Montgomery’s downtown.
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Q & A with RNDC’s New Environmental and Sustainability Planner, Samuel Sharp |
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What was your last job experience?
Prior to joining RNDC, I was an environmental consultant scientist for Environmental Resources Management. There, I gained experience working with large-scale energy clients, performing habitat assessments, and working with government permitting agencies.
How will your previous experience help in your new role?
An important aspect of my previous position was learning how a project functions and the different ramifications to consider when defining the flow of the project. My goal is to use this experience to offer a unique perspective centering around environmental science and sustainability as we assist communities with implementing green initiatives.
What projects are you looking forward to working on?
I am very excited to help people understand the importance of environmental sustainability in rural communities and emphasize the impact green initiatives have on bolstering not only the environment but the socioeconomic factors that are intertwined within them.
What attracted you to the position with RNDC?
One of the main selling points of working with RNDC was the sense of collaboration within the team and the communities we are helping. I enjoy focusing on the larger picture, where I can listen to the wants and needs of a community and offer insight and support to the best of my abilities.
What is your favorite way to spend your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy reading, hanging out with friends and family, and taking my dogs for walks. Hiking and outdoor activities are also up there.
What is your favorite movie and/or music artist?
One of my favorite movies is Arrival, and one of my favorite artists is the band Palace.
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Join the Southcentral Clean Energy Council's January Forum |
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The Southcentral Clean Energy Council will be holding its next forum on Friday, January 13th from 9-10:15 a.m. The event will feature a presentation from RNDC Associate Planner, Sabri Fair.
Sabri was recently part of the Region Nine delegation that participated in a learning exchange in Germany, and he will be sharing his insights. The panel will also include delegation members Luisa Trapero, Andrea Boettger, Jim and Pat Branstad, Gary and Nellie Richter, and Paul Harris.
This event is taking place at the South Central Service Cooperative at 2075 Lookout Drive, North Mankato, MN. You can also attend by registering for the Zoom meeting by clicking the button below.
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Open Region Nine Commission Seats |
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The following commission seats are vacant:
- Blue Earth County Small Cities
- Nicollet County Township
- Sibley County Township
- Waseca County Small Cities
- Waseca County Township
- College-Aged Commissioner
- High School Aged Commissioner (vacancy in June)
To find out more about becoming an RNDC commissioner, contact Heather at heather@rndc.org
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Science Fair Judges and Volunteers Needed |
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Are you in a STEM field and interested in helping 3rd - 12th grade students?
The Southern Minnesota Science and Engineering Fair fosters a passion for exploration and discovery in students from third grade through high school. Participation prepares students for college, allows them to compete for scholarships, and introduces them to career opportunities in science and engineering.
For students in grades 3-6, the Elementary Regional Fair is the culmination of their yearlong activities. Grades 6-12 are eligible to continue on to the Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair, and grades 9-12 are eligible to compete in the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair. For many students, the science fair program has been the beginning of a life-long fascination with science or an introduction to a science-related career. For judges and adult volunteers, science fair days provide an opportunity to mentor students, visit with colleagues in their discipline, and renew acquaintances.
Minnesota State University, Mankato is seeking college/university students, faculty, and other professionals in STEM fields to join us as judges or general volunteers on Saturday, February 11, 2023, and Saturday, April 22, 2023, from approximately 7:30 am – 2:00 pm for the 72nd Annual Southern Minnesota Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
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$$ Grant Opportunities $$ |
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Meat Cutting and Butchery Training Grant
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is awarding approximately $350,000 in funding for the Meat Education and Training (MEAT) Grant Program.
This grant is for secondary career and technical education programs to fund equipment, facility renovation, curriculum development, and faculty training.
Deadline: March 9, 2023
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Parks and Trails Grant Programs
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has grant funding opportunities for park and trail projects throughout Minnesota.
Applications are being accepted for outdoor recreation, natural and scenic areas, regional and local trail connections, and federal recreational trails.
Deadline: Various
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Region Nine Development Commission takes great pride in working with and on behalf of counties, cities, townships, and schools throughout South Central Minnesota. Since 1972, being a partner for progress has led to the development of programs and identification of solutions in the areas of economic development, business development, healthy communities, transportation, community development, and leveraging regional resources. To learn more about our work and mission, visit www.rndc.org.
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Follow RNDC on social media to stay up-to-date on events, news, and more! |
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