Quarterly Newsletter | Summer 2025

Staci Headley shifts from business loan specialist to senior regional planner. She manages the annual Economic Development Administration (EDA) planning grant and leads the development of the Comprehensive Regional Economic Development Strategy (CREDS). Her work in community development, regional planning, and local food systems has advanced regional food access, agricultural entrepreneurship, and community-led solutions that align with R5DC’s mission to support sustainable and thriving rural communities.

Stephanie Barney accepts role of senior loan administrator. She will oversee all facets of loan development for R5DC and NCEDA, managing the day-to-day operations of both business and homeowner lending programs. These include the GAP/Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), Local Development Organization (LDO), MN DEED Entrepreneur Lending Program (ELP), Small Business Emergency Loans (SBEL), CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund, Individual Septic Treatment System (ISTS), and the Household Well Water Program (HWWP),

We welcome our marketing intern, Ella Gunderson! She supports R5DC's and NCEDA's outreach efforts by creating and managing digital content, promoting community programs, and assisting with public engagement. Her responsibilities include social media strategy, graphic design, email marketing, event promotion, and gathering media assets throughout the five-county region. Ella will receove a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Business Leadership with a focus in Marketing and minor in Communications from The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University in December of this year. 

We wish Candice Zimmermann well as she pursues her dreams at her family farm, Treeline Acres. We are so grateful to Candice for her service to R5DC. She was instrumental in the success of watershed planning, energy and environment initiatives, and in leading the North Central USDA Regional Food Business Center. Candice's passion for local foods and supporting farmers and growers in our region will continue as she grows her business, alongside her family.

We also extend our sincere best wishes to Katie Baier, who was serving as the program manager for the Community Bridgemakers program. This program continues to evolve as a partnership between the Initiative Foundation, Sourcewell, and R5DC. Katie's passion for making connections and supporting our rural communities will continue to have a positive impact in our region. Katie, thank you for your efforts to improve mental health, social cohesion, and workforce development.

University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership Releases Climate Change in Central Minnesota: Cass, Crow Wing, Todd, Wadena, and Morrison

July 26: R5DC Board of Directors Meeting | 10 am at R5DC Staples

August 28 : R5DC Commission Meeting | 6 pm at Sourcewell

September 25 : R5DC Commission Meeting | 6 pm at Sourcewell

The Sowing Room is excited to share that the second Cultivating Communities Summit is September 22-23, 2025 in downtown Brainerd. This year's event has a variety of ways to participate, including presenters, workshops, community art projects, live music and dance, connection to community resources and MORE!

• Motley Hardware: A Store Rooted in Service, Sustained by Heart
• R5DC Adds Two New Agricultural Mental Health Providers
• Building a Future - Leech Lake Tribal Workforce
• MN Agricultural Mental Health Specialist Ted Matthews Announces Retirement
• Food Connection: Farmers Facing Uncertainty After Funding Cuts
• Aspen Community Strategies Group Impact
• Safe Together: A Quest for Rural Community Safety
• 40 Years of Aspen CSG: Advancing Rural and Indigenous Prosperity
• USDA Ends Regional Food Center Grants

Cass County

Bob Kangas, County Commissioner

Jerecho Worth, Municipalities

Reno Wells, Town Boards

Crow Wing County

Rosemary Franzen, County Commissioner

Tyler Gardner, Municipalities

Doug Kern, Town Boards

Tad Erickson, City of Brainerd

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Morrison County

Greg Blaine, County Commissioner

Rollie Johnson, Municipalities

Chuck Parins, Town Boards

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Todd County

Barb Becker, County Commissioner

Deb Nelson, Municipalities

Julie Polak, Town Boards

Wadena County

Ron Noon, County Commissioner

David A. Anderson, Municipalities

VACANT, Town Boards

Public Interest

Hara Charlier, Higher Education

Rian Hofstad, Camp Ripley

Taran Skwira, Emerging Leader 

Diane Jacobson, SWCD

Sally Fineday, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

Amy Sjoblad, School Board Rep

Andrea Haverinen, School Board Rep

Christine Kirschbaum, Workforce Development

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RDC board membership comprises elected officials from townships, cities, counties, school boards, and public interest groups per statute 462.388. Current as of July 1, 2025.

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