NADO Visits Region Nine

Staff from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), a membership group based in Washington D.C., toured Region Nine last month, to learn more about the work of RNDC. NADO is an association that supports the efforts of over 500 Regional Development Organizations (RDO). This support includes advocating for federal programs that promote an equitable community and economic competitiveness, rural development, economic mobility, and quality of life.

The tour stopped at Key City Bike, a non-profit community space largely run by volunteers that aims to reduce environmental impact by keeping bikes and accessories from landfills. They achieve this by providing access to used bikes, parts, and tools for those who cannot afford them. They also organize monthly group rides to promote biking year-round and bring together biking enthusiasts. Key City Bike’s community-focused planning is a unique concept that has drawn international attention from cities like Münster, Germany.

The tour also included Blue Earth County Community Farm which is run by the Living Earth Center. This stop highlighted RNDC and LEC’s partnership on a 3-year NRCS grant to reduce barriers for emerging farmers. The county farm is the site of an incubator farm, a new venture for LEC to provide more land and resources for local growers who want to scale up and begin selling their products to the community. This is especially important as these farmers grow culturally relevant crops from East Africa like managu and saga that aren’t available for purchase at grocery stores in Mankato.

The tour ended at Wine Cat to highlight RNDC’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program. The owners spoke about the resources RNDC provided that helped them remodel, rebrand, and rename the off-sale wine shop.

This was the first time NADO had ever conducted a site visit with its staff as part of their team's development. The tour was an opportunity to bring national attention to Region Nine and the work of RNDC.

You can read the Mankato Free Press story by clicking the button below.

RNDC Receives Impact Award

RNDC has been awarded an Aliceann Wohlbruck NADO Impact Award for its participation in a learning exchange with North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The Impact Award honors advances in community and economic development, including small business finance, energy and infrastructure projects, housing and human services, sustainable development, and workforce development.

The learning exchange started meaningful connections and collaborative efforts between both regions, positively impacting the global pursuit of sustainability and Welcoming Initiatives. The program also offered an opportunity for south central Minnesota participants to market their region as an ideal location for further foreign-direct investment from German companies. As a direct outcome of the exchange program's focus on sustainable development, the region won the prestigious NREL HeroX Federal prize. This resulted in the region pursuing a certification as a Biofuel Development Opportunity (BDO) zone to position south central Minnesota as an attractive destination for sustainable companies at the forefront of biofuel technology for airline companies.



RNDC has been awarded nine Impact Awards over the last 11 years.

RNDC Named a Bicycle Friendly Business

RNDC has been awarded a Silver Designation as a bicycle-friendly business by the League of American Bicyclists. RNDC is the fourth Region Nine organization to be awarded the distinction, joining Nicollet Bike & Ski Shop, the City of New Ulm, and the Mankato/North Mankato area.

The Bicycle-Friendly Business Award recognizes employers and communities that encourage a more welcoming atmosphere for bicycling employees, customers, and the community. The designation lasts four years, but organizations are able to reapply for a higher rating. RNDC has many employees who bike to work, and cycling is a favorite pastime for many of the staff.

Minnesota is ranked as the fifth most bicycle-friendly state with 35 communities, 112 businesses, and seven universities receiving the designation.

Take the Annual Performance Report Survey

Help shape the direction of the region by filling out the RNDC Annual Performance Report (APR) survey!

Every year RNDC creates an APR to evaluate its performance as it pertains to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Community engagement is an important part of the process. Your input will help decide RNDC’s focus in the coming years.



You can take the survey by clicking the button below.

Women In Food and Ag - Event Recap

The Main Street Focused on Food and Ag (MBFFA) program and The Barn at Ballard Creek hosted the Women in Food and Ag event on Thursday, September 28th. The event celebrated women in food and agriculture and provided an opportunity for attendees to network and enjoy a farm-to-table meal with locally sourced ingredients from women growers and ag entrepreneurs.

Attendees were able to hear success stories from women in the food and agriculture industries and their experiences along the way. The event also provided an opportunity for everyone to network with their peers and create connections to keep female-owned food and ag businesses thriving.

The MBFFA program is a Hub and Spoke model that brings together partners to provide outreach, education, and technical assistance to underserved small businesses in the food and agriculture sector in Region Nine. RNDC works with the other Spokes to identify, plan, and deliver services to our identified clients. RNDC has also partnered with Minnesota State University, Mankato, and South Central College to create an agriculture resiliency plan as well as host informational sessions to support farmers in the region.

Thank you to all the partners who made this event a huge success!

The Strategic Partnership Center

Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery, and Distillery

Tallgrass Cider

Crystal Valley Cooperative

Mogwai Collaborative

Feast! Local Foods Celebrates 10 Years!

Feast! Local Foods is celebrating 10 years of programming and partnerships, November, 4^th, and the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN.

The FEAST! Local Foods Network is a partnership of many organizations, businesses, and individuals committed to growing a sustainable, local, and regional food system that encourages innovation. The network does this by linking entrepreneurs to information and business experts, increasing the access to financial support, and strengthening regional connections.

At the 10-year celebration you can sample, shop, and stock up on many products from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. There will also be activities for kids including cooking demos and a chance to win prizes.

Tickets are available now and can be purchased by clicking the button below.