Take Five with Region Five

Quarterly Newsletter | October 2020

In this issue we share information about our current projects, news, and resources to promote welcoming communities in our region.

WHAT'S NEW AT REGION FIVE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION?

AGENCY WIDE

SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES

R5DC allows each employee up to 4 hours of paid volunteer time per pay period.

In Fiscal Year 2020, we completed 87 hours of service in our region.

We love doing good wherever we can in our five-county service region. ❤ ❤ ❤

Giving blood, collecting trash on our section of adopted highway and spending time with young readers at school are just a few ways we give of our time.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

LOCAL FOODS INITIATIVES

We continue to provide fresh, healthy, local foods with our VetCSA and RxCSA programs. These initiatives are designed to empower participants to better health, wellness, and sense of community.

Check out the unboxing of the latest CSA share in our video!

Visit our website

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING | PANDEMIC PLANNING

We now offer Community Energy & Environmental Planning and Pandemic Planning!

Please contact Erica Bjelland to learn more about these exciting new offerings!

(E) ebjelland@regionfive.org

(P) 563.379.4539

www.regionfive.org/eep

www.regionfive.org/covid

PANDEMIC PLANNING RESOURCES

Back-to-School COVID-19 Digital Toolkit

COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program

R5DC COVID Resources

TRANSPORTATION

R5DC assists MNDOT and the region through the facilitation of multi-jurisdictional transportation discussions. At times, and for a multitude of reasons, the transportation planning needs of state, county and local jurisdictions can be like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. These situations require innovative solutions, in order to bring about outcomes that meet the needs of all jurisdictions involved. Learn more about our Transportation Initiatives - visit our website and watch the video!

GREATER MN TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES SOLICITATION

The Transportation Alternatives Solicitation is a competitive grant opportunity for local communities and regional agencies to fund projects for pedestrian and bicycle facilities, historic preservation, Safe Routes to School and more. Minnesota will be soliciting projects for approximately $6.2 million in available grant funding across the state where the total is sub-targeted to the seven area transportation partnerships. The deadline for applicants to submit letters of intent is October 30, 2020. For more details, visit: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/ta/

WELCOMING COMMUNITIES

Welcoming Communities work is one of our flagship programs that expands cultural competency by acknowledging and bridging difference. Our regional language is changing, curiosity is peeked, and our hope is that this work influences systems that are affecting equitable economic prosperity for the long haul.

We utilize the WealthWorks framework designed for organizations like ours to see the full continuum and make connections to tools like the Intercultural Development Inventory Assessments that help us build cultural capital to benefit all people.

Visit our Welcoming Communities page to learn more or contact Dawn Espe at 218.894.6013 or email at despe@regionfive.org to learn more.

WELCOMING COMMUNITIES | RESOURCES

Recommended Reading:

The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates

Diversity and Inclusion: Lessons In Friendship and Love | Maryam Elassar | TEDxAmanaAcademy

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

R5DC received a $1.6 million EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to capitalize and administer Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs) that will provide critical gap financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Crow Wing, Cass, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena counties.

L E A R N M O R E

A P P L Y H E R E

IN THE NEWS

Five Rocks Distilling Stays Afloat During Pandemic

From Crops to Co-ops - Small Towns Want Better Internet (Episode 4)

Region 5 Reps Talk with Klobuchar about Economic Development

R5DC to Host Regional Military & Veterans Exchange Event

Walk to Anywhere Week October 5-9

Read the latest news from our 501(c)3 lending organization, North Central Economic Development Association.

What's happening in the region?

Check out our Events on Facebook:

Region Five Development Commission Facebook

The Good Life North Central MN Facebook

Listen to our podcast! 😊