• Text-Sizer  -  =  +  
  • Board Member Login
Region Nine
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • About the Region
  • Resources
  • Get Involved
  • Contact Us
  • Menu Menu

Archive for category: News

Delegation to Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia Updates

in News/by Region Nine

Region Nine’s Executive Director Nicole Griensewic joined the Climate Smart Municipalities (CSM) delegation to Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) from September 11-18, 2021. The delegation consisted of 28-32 members representing the cities of Duluth, Morris, Rochester, Warren, White Bear Lake, along with state government, counties, business, and the education and nonprofit sectors.

Below are links to PDFs to CSM’s 2021 Delegation dispatches highlighting events of the day as well as cities involved in the exchange.

 

Dispatch Daily #1

Dispatch Special Report: Rochester

Dispatch Daily #2

Dispatch Special Report: Morris

Dispatch Daily #3

Dispatch Special Report: Duluth

Dispatch Daily #4

Dispatch Special Report: Renewable Businesses

Dispatch Daily #5

Dispatch Special Report: White Bear Lake

https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png 0 0 Region Nine https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png Region Nine2021-09-27 11:54:472021-09-27 11:54:49Delegation to Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia Updates

Region Nine Joins Delegation to Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia

in News/by Region Nine
Read more
https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png 0 0 Region Nine https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png Region Nine2021-08-26 11:39:002021-09-27 11:56:36Region Nine Joins Delegation to Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia

Area commissioners’ top issues: broadband, highways, telemedicine

in News/by Region Nine

More federal funding to expand broadband, rules to allow the continuation of telemedicine, highway funding and more aid for small businesses are at the top of the list for area rural counties.

Those were the messages county commissioners delivered to U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar during a virtual roundtable she hosted Friday. The three commissioners are board members of the Region Nine Development Commission.

Le Sueur County Commissioner Steve Rohlfing hoped Klobuchar will help push for changes to federal rules to allow telemedicine to continue after the pandemic.

“COVID, like it or not, has really created some new avenues for us. Telemedicine is working and we don’t want that to go away.”

Rohlfing said telemedicine visits not only help with doctor and nurse visits but also with social worker and mental health professional visits.

He said current rules on reimbursement are designed to encourage in-person rather than telemedicine visits.

Read more.

https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png 0 0 Region Nine https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png Region Nine2021-05-10 11:36:182021-05-10 11:36:19Area commissioners’ top issues: broadband, highways, telemedicine

Klobuchar talks economic recovery plans for Region 9

in News/by Region Nine

Sen. Amy Klobuchar talks COVID’s economic impact with the Region 9 Development Commission

The pandemic has hit businesses, hospitality industry and the economies of entire cities, with having to close restaurants for weeks at a time to canceling events that would’ve drawn tourists.

Representatives from Sibley, Le Sueur and Martin County joined the senator to tackle short and long-term pandemic recovery for Region 9.

Sen. Klobuchar announces the Restaurant Act which aims to help eating establishments and venues across the state.

”Mankato Ballroom, Kato Ballroom and a number of other places through the state. Including everything from First Avenue to the Bluestone Amphitheater. That was in the end of the year bill, that applications were just all in for that. The restaurants bill is going to help even more for your region, areas where we have had some significant drop-off from a lot of our restaurants and we want to keep them strong,” United States Senator, Amy Klobuchar said.

Sen. Klobuchar says on the horizon: infrastructure funding is coming as well.

View more.

https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png 0 0 Region Nine https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png Region Nine2021-05-10 11:33:162021-05-10 11:34:39Klobuchar talks economic recovery plans for Region 9

University Of Minnesota Extension Emerging Leaders Bring New Perspectives

in News/by Region Nine
Read more
https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png 0 0 Region Nine https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png Region Nine2021-05-10 11:31:492021-05-10 11:31:50University Of Minnesota Extension Emerging Leaders Bring New Perspectives

Executive Director Griensewic reflects on Mondale’s impact on MN and how we need to continue to fight the “good fight”

in News/by Region Nine
Dear fellow Minnesotans,
 
Adversity seems to lurk around every corner as of late, and yesterday’s news added only more grief. I was devastated at the announcement of Mondale’s passing. Minnesota has experienced great loss once more.
 
Vice President Walter Mondale made his mark on Minnesota, the nation, and the world. He redefined what the role of Vice President could be. Mondale was known for his ability to collaborate. He was before his time focusing on clean water, child poverty, and fair housing. These issues were not commonly discussed.
 
He was well known for being the first Presidential candidate on a major ticket to have selected a female running mate. This deliberate display of feminism was and is so essential. Speaking personally as a female leader in government, representation matters. The highlight of 2019 for me was having a one-on-one meeting with Mondale. My intent was to discuss his timeserving as an ambassador for the U.S. to Japan. He instantly pivoted the conversation to me instead, interested in hearing about me, my background, current work, and career aspirations. He instantly filled the role as a mentor.
 
When I asked if he ever watched the HBO show, Veep, he laughed and said, “No, should I?” to which I quickly replied—” Yes, please!”. He meant so much to me, I named my adopted cat after him. When he learned of this, he stated that he was “honored and humbled”. I pointed out that both were from Region Nine territory and had white and gray hair. His assistant, Lynda received more cat photos than what was probably needed.
 
It is easy to feel deflated and overwhelmed with grief and trauma, Minnesotans have all endured as of late. I had to remind myself that Mondale always encouraged others to ignore the noise and step up to be a leader. 
 
The world is watching Minnesota. His legacy can guide us as a state as we work towards healing, helping, and be a catalyst for the needed change, especially in the days and weeks ahead of us. We need to keep fighting the “good fight”. It is what he would want us to do. His famous quote, “We told the truth, we obeyed the law, we kept the peace.” We need that type of leadership now more than ever. 
 
Let us be more like Mondale. #moreMondale
 
RIP Fritz
 
Sincerely,
 
Nicole Griensewic
Executive Director
https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png 0 0 Region Nine https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png Region Nine2021-04-20 16:38:132021-04-20 16:38:47Executive Director Griensewic reflects on Mondale’s impact on MN and how we need to continue to fight the “good fight”

Economic development grant helping southern Minnesota

in News/by Region Nine

Being proactive and not reactive is the motto for Region 9 Development Commission.

“How are things going right now and what do we see in the future,” Region 9 Development Commission Executive Director Nicole Griensewic said.

Especially with their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

Each year, they provide the Economic Development Grant for southern Minnesota.

More than $200,000 is invested into the region to prepare the economy for the worst like a natural disaster or economic downfall.

“When those economic shocks happen, we can rebound better. We know who the partners are, we know what kind of works and what doesn’t work, because we know these economic shocks are going to happen. It is just really important that we are here to listen and gather information from all of our different partners,” Griensewic said.

Read the full article here.

https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png 0 0 Region Nine https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png Region Nine2021-04-02 12:26:022021-04-13 09:26:29Economic development grant helping southern Minnesota

Brewery coming to Fairmont

in News/by Region Nine

FAIRMONT — Fairmont may soon be home to a new business in the form of the Fairmont Brewing Company. Owner and operator Joseph Riemann recently had a request for proposal approved by the Fairmont City Council to secure the Fairmont Senior Citizens building in downtown Fairmont. Riemann grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and went to college in Minneapolis. He shares how he was drawn to Fairmont.

“My wife and I have a blended family, we have about five kids together from previous marriages, and once COVID hit we started thinking about what working from home could look like,” Riemann said. We wanted to get a better work-life balance as well as improving where we lived.

“We really like the lakes up in Minneapolis and so we thought that if I’m working from home, home could be anywhere so let’s look for some lakes and maybe a more affordable place to live.”

Riemann shared that with the riots that took place in the Twin Cities over the summer of 2020, he was looking for a safer place to raise his children.

“So we looked around and found Fairmont. We took a weekend in September and drove into town and almost immediately seeing the logo on the water tower and driving past the lakes we wondered where had this gem of a city been? The idea of a city of lakes and being able to afford living so close to a chain of lakes just seemed exactly like what we were looking for.”

Riemann shares that he moved here in October and got married at the Yacht Club in November. Since then, he’s had his eyes set on becoming a part of, and contributing to, the Fairmont community.

“With the idea of entrepreneurship, we kind of looked around at some things that we liked, and one of those was the craft beer scene in the city,” Riemann said. “We noticed that, unlike a lot of small towns, there wasn’t a brewpub so that was something that hit high on the list.”

With that in mind, Riemann started talking to potential funders and Linsey Preuss, Fairmont economic development director, as well as some others.

“Everyone had the same kind of overwhelming response of saying that we need a brewpub,” Riemann said. “So we were looking at some commercial real estate a couple of months ago and what potential places might look like when we heard about this building [Fairmont Senior Citizens Center] going up for sale, and we jumped at the opportunity.”

Now that Riemann’s request for proposal has been approved by the city, he states that several different financial steps still need to be taken.

“Right now we’re in the process of talking with the bank and we’re also working with both the city revolving loan fund and Region Nine [Development Commission],” Riemann said. “We’re also working with SMIF [Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation], basically, the who’s who of normal loan funds who do economic development in Southern Minnesota. So it’s just a matter of tying up all those, which a lot of that was dependent upon an actual physical location.”

Despite all that still needs to happen, Riemann shares that he is excited about the future.

“We really fell in love with Fairmont, and we’re hoping to have the brewery be more than just locally brewed beer. We really want to try and lift up the people and history of Fairmont,” Riemann said. “We’re excited about it.”

For those interested in keeping up with Riemann’s progress, they can sign up for emails at www.fairmontbrewing.com. Riemann states that he hopes to be open sometime in the summer this year.

View the article here.

https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png 0 0 Region Nine https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png Region Nine2021-04-02 12:24:042021-04-02 12:24:06Brewery coming to Fairmont

MDH hosts vaccine clinic in Worthington

in News/by Region Nine
 
Up to 1,000 vaccine doses were available over two days.
Written By: Leah Ward | 7:00 am, Mar. 27, 2021
 

WORTHINGTON — Worthington was the recipient of a state vaccination clinic Friday and Saturday, with 500 doses of the Johnson & Johnson available each day.

The Worthington Event Center hosted the clinic, allowing patients to spread out throughout the process. Translation services were provided in a number of locally spoken languages, including Karen, Oromo and Amharic.

Shawn Schloesser of the State Emergency Operations Center (contracted with the Minnesota Department of Health) explained that 500 appointments were open Friday and 240 people had scheduled times. As a result, he decided to open the clinic to walk-ins to fill the remaining spaces.

“That’s this community,” he said. “It’s what they prefer, so we’re accommodating.”

Several elements of the clinic are benchmarks of success, Schloesser explained.

“Not wasting any doses,” he said, along with “removing as many barriers as possible, making sure community members are aware and have the opportunity and encouraging people in the priority group” are all determiners, he said.

Read the full article here.

https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png 0 0 Region Nine https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png Region Nine2021-04-02 12:21:062021-04-02 12:21:08MDH hosts vaccine clinic in Worthington

Success Story: Minnesota Economic Development District Executive Director Strives for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Economic Development

in News/by Region Nine

Region Nine Development Commission (RNDC) is an EDA-designated Economic Development District (EDD) focused on fostering economic development in a nine-county region in southern Minnesota.

Located in Mankato, RNDC’s service area is predominantly white but quickly diversifying. To address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues, RNDC infuses these efforts into its economic development work.

“It’s not just an addendum chapter or vague language in a plan. Rather, we incorporate DEI principles into all the work that we are doing,” said Nicole Griensewic, Executive Director of RNDC.

In 2015, as the population became more diverse, Griensewic was questioned about how RNDC planned to incorporate the changing demographics into their plans to deal with equity gaps.

She quickly got a grant and subcontracted a local non-profit to help them start conversations about race. The result was the Welcoming Communities Program, which includes discussions among stakeholders and DEI training. Other EDA EDDs have since adopted the program.

Griensewic’s eagerness to try new things to make economic development better and more inclusive has helped her colleagues across the country.

“I often seek Nicole out as an innovator in our industry,” said Kevin Byrd, president of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). “She takes a lot of measured risks, which helps our whole industry. She is constantly thinking further out there.”

Frank discussions and DEI trainings are just the beginning, said Griensewic, a native Minnesotan who came to RNDC in 2012.

“We’re looking around the proverbial table and asking, ‘Who is not here?’” she said. “We started with race and are now talking about gender, veterans, and immigrants.”

Being inclusive is smart economic development, she said. According to state data, projections indicate a labor shortage in the RNDC service area that could eventually cost the region and its trading partners roughly $1.7 billion per year. Population declines are trending in six of the nine RNDC counties. Meanwhile, people of color are the fastest growing combined groups in all of the counties.

“I am a very blunt person,” Griensewic said. “Looking at the numbers, if we don’t get ahead of this, we can’t even talk about economic recovery and resiliency. We don’t need a wall; we need a red carpet. This is what businesses are telling us.”

RNDC’s engagement with stakeholders has led to conversations about farmers adapting halal slaughtering techniques, women and transportation, and other issues.

Griensewic’s expansive view of economic development possibly stems from a background that doesn’t include economic development. She previously worked as an in-store executive at Target, and her private sector experience was viewed as an asset by the RNDC board.

Byrd, president of NADO and Executive Director of the New River Valley Regional Commission in Radford, Virginia (also an EDD), said that more female EDD executive directors are taking the helms as leadership changes. In the Chicago region, 22 of the 48 EDDs are led by females.

“We are starting to observe a sea change of leadership,” Byrd said. “Many long-serving male leaders are retiring, and female leaders are being appointed.”

Griensewic is believed to have been the youngest executive director of RNDC when she was hired. She isn’t afraid to ask questions when she doesn’t have the answers or try new things to find a solution.

“I don’t have time to be shy,” she said.

Region Nine Development Commission (RNDC) is an EDA-designated Economic Development District (EDD) focused on fostering economic development in a nine-county region in southern Minnesota.

Located in Mankato, RNDC’s service area is predominantly white but quickly diversifying. To address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues, RNDC infuses these efforts into its economic development work.

“It’s not just an addendum chapter or vague language in a plan. Rather, we incorporate DEI principles into all the work that we are doing,” said Nicole Griensewic, Executive Director of RNDC.

In 2015, as the population became more diverse, Griensewic was questioned about how RNDC planned to incorporate the changing demographics into their plans to deal with equity gaps.

She quickly got a grant and subcontracted a local non-profit to help them start conversations about race. The result was the Welcoming Communities Program, which includes discussions among stakeholders and DEI training. Other EDA EDDs have since adopted the program.

Griensewic’s eagerness to try new things to make economic development better and more inclusive has helped her colleagues across the country.

“I often seek Nicole out as an innovator in our industry,” said Kevin Byrd, president of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). “She takes a lot of measured risks, which helps our whole industry. She is constantly thinking further out there.”

Frank discussions and DEI trainings are just the beginning, said Griensewic, a native Minnesotan who came to RNDC in 2012.

“We’re looking around the proverbial table and asking, ‘Who is not here?’” she said. “We started with race and are now talking about gender, veterans, and immigrants.”

Being inclusive is smart economic development, she said. According to state data, projections indicate a labor shortage in the RNDC service area that could eventually cost the region and its trading partners roughly $1.7 billion per year. Population declines are trending in six of the nine RNDC counties. Meanwhile, people of color are the fastest growing combined groups in all of the counties.

“I am a very blunt person,” Griensewic said. “Looking at the numbers, if we don’t get ahead of this, we can’t even talk about economic recovery and resiliency. We don’t need a wall; we need a red carpet. This is what businesses are telling us.”

RNDC’s engagement with stakeholders has led to conversations about farmers adapting halal slaughtering techniques, women and transportation, and other issues.

Griensewic’s expansive view of economic development possibly stems from a background that doesn’t include economic development. She previously worked as an in-store executive at Target, and her private sector experience was viewed as an asset by the RNDC board.

Byrd, president of NADO and Executive Director of the New River Valley Regional Commission in Radford, Virginia (also an EDD), said that more female EDD executive directors are taking the helms as leadership changes. In the Chicago region, 22 of the 48 EDDs are led by females.

“We are starting to observe a sea change of leadership,” Byrd said. “Many long-serving male leaders are retiring, and female leaders are being appointed.”

Griensewic is believed to have been the youngest executive director of RNDC when she was hired. She isn’t afraid to ask questions when she doesn’t have the answers or try new things to find a solution.

“I don’t have time to be shy,” she said.

View the article here.

https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png 0 0 Region Nine https://www.rndc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/region9_white_logo.png Region Nine2021-04-02 12:17:362021-04-02 12:17:37Success Story: Minnesota Economic Development District Executive Director Strives for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Economic Development
Page 2 of 16‹1234›»

Choose a Category

  • Miscellaneous (6)
  • News (154)
  • Newsletter (57)
  • Rural Engagement Initiative (6)
  • Social Media Policy (1)

Search Articles

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Rss

Who We Are

Region Nine Development Commission strives to promote the development of the region through intergovernmental cooperation, community and human development, long-range planning and technical assistance. Learn more

Latest Posts

  • Region Nine Delegation to North Rhine-WestphaliaDecember 6, 2022 - 11:00 am

      December 2-10, 2022 Münster, Saerbeck, Düsseldorf An international learning exchange to share best practices in clean energy and building more welcoming communities.  North Rhine-Westphalia calls itself the “diversity state” due to its rural, industrial, and multi-culture population. The state has multiple communities involved with the international exchange with communities from Minnesota, Climate Smart Municipalities, […]

  • Workforce is Hot Issue at LuncheonSeptember 20, 2022 - 9:44 am
  • Region Nine Development Commission Receives 2022 NADO Impact AwardSeptember 20, 2022 - 9:04 am

    Mankato, MN-Region Nine Development Commission (RNDC) has been honored with a National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) 2022 Impact Award for the group’s work with the Region Nine Grower’s Network.   The Grower’s Network is a group of local and sustainable farmers that meet to learn from each other and grow the community. The Grower’s […]

Contact Us

  • 3 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 310
  • Mankato, MN 56001
  • (507) 387–5643
  • Mon – Fri 8:00 – 4:30

Fridays from Memorial Day through Labor Day
we are open until 3:30

The RNDC office is closed most major holidays. Please go to the Calendar for more information.

Join Our Newsletter

Sign-up Now

Categories

  • Miscellaneous (6)
  • News (154)
  • Newsletter (57)
  • Rural Engagement Initiative (6)
  • Social Media Policy (1)

Region Nine

Copyright © Region Nine Development Commission | All Rights Reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Home
  • Site Map
Scroll to top