April 2026

Where Hard Work Grows: Inside the Lisson Family Farm

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.

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R5DC Announces 2026 Board of Directors

Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) announces 2026 Board of Directors. along with incoming and outgoing members. 

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Ninth District Businesses Strain Under Unpredictable Conditions

Ninth District businesses struggled with continued economic uncertainty at the start of the new year, according to the January General Business Survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

The survey, which received 1,073 responses, asked business owners across the Ninth District about business conditions in the last quarter of 2025 and their expectations for the new year. Nearly half of respondents reported declines in revenues and over half saw profits shrink since last year. Many noted challenges with declining customer demand and high costs.

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The City of Remer Invites Community Members to Shape the Future of Their Community

REMER, MN - 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.

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Todd County Seeks Public Comment

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 by May 14, 2026.

Unlock Business Growth: Explore Financing Programs from MN DEED



The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) offers a variety of financing programs to support business growth and economic development in the state. Here's an overview of some key programs:

Minnesota Job Creation Fund

Provides financial incentives to new and expanding businesses that meet certain job creation and capital investment targets.

Minnesota Investment Fund

Offers loans to assist companies with expansion and new location projects, focusing on industrial, manufacturing, and technology-related industries.

Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program

Supports the growth of businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities by offering loans for start-up and expansion costs.

Angel Loan Fund

Provides funding to early-stage businesses that have received angel investment, aiming to support high-tech startups and entrepreneurs.

State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)

Offers various programs to increase access to capital for small businesses, including loan guarantees and venture capital investments.

Business Education Through SCORE

The wealth of content available when starting or growing a business can be overwhelming, especially as you deal with so many areas of development, from finance to marketing to legal and business formation issues. Here are some excellent resources to help alleviate the overwhelm.

• April 2 | Bookkeeping Essentials Every Small Business Owner Needs

• April 7 | Event Marketing Playbook—Turn Event Traffic Into Sales

• April 9 | Blogging For Small Business: How to Improve SEO and Drive Website Traffic

• April 14 | How to Actually Grow Your Business—Build a 12-Month Growth Plan

• April 28 | Prepare for Event Success: Plan for Peak Demand, Operations, and Execution

NCEDA is the non-profit lending arm of R5DC. As of April 1st, we have a new location in Staples. Please update your records. Read more about it here.