In its 20th year, the Meander Art Crawl continues to draw art enthusiasts from all over to browse the art of 43 local artists. The UMVRDC continues to serve as the fiscal agent for the Meander. The annual event offers a chance for the public to meet with the region’s top artists in their studios nestled among the small towns and family farms found in the Upper Minnesota River valley. The event has been a huge economic boost for our region over the years.

2023 customer survey:  

$124,506      Total reported Meander art sales to customers during the Meander weekend.

                       (43 surveys reported) 2022 reported $131,357 with 41 surveys returned

$2,895           Average reported art sales per artist

                       $3,402 reported in 2022

100-900        Reported total number of customers at individual studios for the entire weekend.

381                Average customers per artist reporting   

Workforce Summit

The UMVRDC, along with 11 regional partners, hosted the Region 6W Workforce Summit on November 8th at Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort. The event was planned to assist area employers and communities in addressing the ongoing shortage of laborers across the region. Most of the presenters were from our region and shared examples of successful projects or strategies to help attract workers to the region. 

Approximately 85 attendees from across the region and beyond attended the all-day event. These individuals were business owners/managers, human resources, school administrators, elected officials, community development, and workforce development professionals. 

Funding Available for Business Startups or Expansions

There is currently $1.4 million in loan funds available in the UMVRDC’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). Loan rates have been lowered, currently offering a 5 year fixed rate of 5%. Amortizations can be up to 15 years. The UMVRDC lower rate makes the overall project more profitable.

Special rates are available to minority groups. 4.5% - 5 year fixed rates. Amortizations can be up to 15 years. Also, minority groups qualify for a reduced origination fee of ½%. Normally the origination fee is 1%. Minority groups include, people of color, Hispanic, women and veterans. If you or someone you know is looking at a business start-up or expansion, please give us a call. We are here to help. 

UMVRDC Assists with Two EDA Disaster

Supplemental Funding Applications

This past spring, the U.S. Economic Development Administration announced available funding through the FY2023 Disaster Supplemental Funding Notice of Funding Opportunity. The funding is designed to support those regions that were impacted by natural disasters of 2021-2022, including the strong winds that impacted our region in May 2022. Only counties included in FEMA’s federally declared disaster areas are eligible to apply for this funding, which includes all five of our counties. 

The funding is designed to address economic challenges in those federally declared disaster areas and to help communities devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of construction and non-construction projects.



The UMVRDC assisted the City of Granite Falls and Minnesota West Community and Technical College with applications this fall. Both were submitted in early November. Granite Falls requested $3,380,012 in EDA funding to replace their two aging electrical transformers and accompanying switchgear. Minnesota West requested $1,597,062 in EDA funding for modern, mobile mechatronics and welding training equipment to be used at their Worthington campus as well as all over southwest Minnesota through their Customized Training program.  

UMVRDC Service Recognitions

Congratulations to Kristi Fernholz and Jordan Schreck on their years of service!