Quarterly Newsletter | Summer 2024

Social Cohesion: A partner in this initiative, The Sowing Room, is a new non-profit leading the charge in creating connected and cohesive communities in Region Five. Led by Dawn Espe, The Sowing Room seeks to provide JEDI consulting, training through Nonviolent Peaceforce, and partner with immigration services, food access points, and the BIPOC/LGBTQ= communities for outreach/education.

Mental Health: This group is working on two initiatives: Community Resource Network/Center and a Regional Mental Health Plan. The group was recently awarded funding to pursue a partnership with Charles Liedke to lead a formal strategic planning process over the next year, with the outcome of having a fully developed Regional Mental Health Plan by summer 2025. The plan will improve and grow service offerings, foster a strong collaboration across sectors in the mental health field, and provide guidance on unifying legislative concerns to advance policy changes in a positive way.

Workforce Development: Highlighting Health Care and Ag/Natural Resources, one project aims to fully map Career Pathways from Academic to Higher Ed/Industry to make the transition seamless for not only high schoolers but those re-entering or transitioning in the field. Wrap around services continue to be a hot topic, with Child Care and Affordable Housing conversations happening throughout the Region with businesses, cities, counties, and more. 

Community Bridgemakers is a collaboration between the Initiative Foundation, R5DC, and Sourcewell to engage our regional community with broad availability to diverse opportunities that enable each resident to thrive and be well. The areas of focus include social cohesion, mental health, and workforce development.

R5DC and NCEDA are pleased to offer incentives for identifying optimal energy efficiency projects for businesses and governments in our region.

Aug 1: Community Bridgemakers Workforce Development | 9:00 am-12:00 pm at Sourcewell

Aug 6: Activate Rural Virtual Workshop: Courageous and Compassionate Creative Places 

Aug 13: Community Bridgemakers Social Cohesion Contact Katie for Zoom Link (10:30 am)

Aug 28: Community Bridgemakers Mental Health Contact Katie for Zoom Link

9 am-12:00 pm at Sourcewell

• Community Resource Network/Center 9:00 am-10:30 am
• Regional Mental Health Plan 10:30 am-12:00 pm

Aug 22: R5DC Commission Meeting | 6 pm at Sourcewell

Sept 26: R5DC Commission Meeting | 6 pm at Sourcewell

Oct 24: R5DC Commission Meeting | 6 pm at Sourcewell

• USDA and North Central Regional Food Business Center Announce $600,000 in Business Builder Grants
• Echoes by the Water: Preserving a Family Legacy Through R5DC & NCEDA Funding
• Minnesota’s Farmers Get Award-winning Mental Health and Wellness Counseling

Cass County

Bob Kangas, County Commissioner

Jerecho Worth, Municipalities

Susan Falk, Town Boards

Crow Wing County

Rosemary Franzen, County Commissioner

Angel Zierden, Municipalities

Doug Kern, Town Boards

Tiffany Stenglein, 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

Erich Heppner, Higher Education

Steve Hall, 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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*Current as of July 1, 2024.

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RDC board membership is comprised of elected officials from townships, cities, counties, school boards, and public interest groups per statute 462.388.