Region Nine Awarded First Ever Agriculture Resilience Planning Grant

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October 4, 2017 – The Federal Economic Development Administration has awarded Region Nine Development Commission funding to develop and implement the first ever South Central Minnesota Agriculture Resilience Plan.

The project will build on completed regional planning initiatives previous done by Region Nine and work towards creating a cohesive strategy for resilient agriculturally based communities across the region. This will lead to the capitalization on new opportunities and creation of jobs to diversify and strengthen the local economy.

“Agriculture is undoubtedly a major player in economic development in our region,” stated Nicole Griensewic Mickelson, executive director of Region Nine. “This project will provide insight into how the region can become more sustainable. Resiliency is key in ensuring the nine counties of south central Minnesota continue to thrive.”

The funding award was matched by local partners to complete the planning project. Local partners who provided matching funds or in-kind match include Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota State University, Mankato and the Southern Minnesota Center of Agriculture/South Central College.

“South Central College Farm Business Management Education, along with our Southern MN Center of Agriculture, are committed to improving the economic vitality in our rural communities and increasing positively the farm resilience across the region,” shared Brad Schloesser, executive director Southern Minnesota Center of Agriculture and Dean of Agriculture. “This is great support for strong programs that are needed now at an ever demanding rate.”

“Food and agriculture are the backbone of Minnesota’s economy,” said Matthew Wohlman, Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. “We’re pleased to partner with Region Nine and others to ensure that we strengthen our rural economy, add more value to our farm products, and create good paying jobs.”

“We are appreciative and proud to be able to bring this innovative project to the region with the support of our partners,” expressed Griensewic Mickelson. The project will begin in the winter of 2017 and will conclude in late 2018.

Region Nine Receives NADO 2017 Innovation Award

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Region Nine Development Commission based in south central Minnesota has received a 2017 Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for the Region Nine Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan.

With support from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Region Nine created a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan to assess south central Minnesota’s vulnerability to climate change and create strategies for the region to adapt to climate change. Region Nine, working in tandem with a Climate Change Adaptation Task Force, identified eight top priority sectors to prioritize the planning process: agriculture, water, human health, energy, transportation, forests, ecosystems, and business and economy. The result of the planning process was real, actionable strategies that can be used as a guide to initiate discussions and begin a planning process in Region Nine communities.

NADO is a Washington, D.C.-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through regional cooperation, program delivery, and comprehensive strategies.  The association’s Innovation Awards program recognizes regional development organizations and their partners for improving the economic and community competitiveness of our nation’s regions and local communities.  2017 marked NADO’s 50-year anniversary of supporting regional economic development across the country.    

Award-winning projects were honored during NADO’s 2017 Annual Training Conference, held September 9-12 in Anchorage, AK.   The 2017 class of award recipients consists of projects spanning 21 states.  These projects are presented in an interactive “Story Map” developed by NADO and Esri and include project summaries, funding information, and partners.  The Story Map is available online at:  https://www.nado.org/innovation-awards/.     

“The Innovation Awards program is an opportunity to recognize the important work of regional development organizations that are promoting economic development and improving quality of life for local residents,” said 2016-2017 NADO President Lynne Keller Forbes, Executive Director of the South Eastern Council of Governments, located in Sioux Falls, SD.  “These projects demonstrate the diversity of work that regional development organizations undertake to benefit the communities and regions that they serve.” 

For more information about this award-winning project, contact Ashley Aukes at (507) 387-5643 or ashley@rndc.org. 

Forum on Race Visits St. Peter

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ST. PETER, MINN. – St. Peter residents came together for a community conversation on race Wednesday night. The Region Nine Development Commission has teamed up with the YWCA of Mankato and the Greater Mankato Diversity Council to host forums in seven rural towns in South Central Minnesota. 

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Local study aims to adapt to climate change

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MANKATO — Pick a calamity — drought, flooding, pathogens, parasites, tornadoes, wildfires — and you are likely to see more of them in the coming years as climate change continues to alter south-central Minnesota. 

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Adult Basic Education: The Workforce Puzzle Part 2

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There are many different pieces to solving a workforce shortage in a region. One piece, as identified in Region Nine’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (), is the support of educational attainment.

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The Changing Demographics of Region Nine – Part 1

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South central Minnesota is in the early stages of a workforce shortage. The notion bounced around in workforce planning circles, economic development discussions and human resources departments is that the solution to this shortage is to lean on a growing minority population.

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Region Nine Development Commission Named a Constant Contact Certified Solution Provider

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Jan. 23, 2017 – Ashley Aukes, Communications Specialist for Region Nine Development Commission, has been named a Certified Solution Provider by Constant Contact®, Inc., the trusted marketing advisor to more than 650,000 small organizations worldwide. 

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The Innovation Index

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By all indications, the economy of south central Minnesota is flourishing. The unemployment rate is down to three percent, earnings are well above traditional distress criteria, and the region has a robust base of jobs in manufacturing, health care, retail trade and educational services.

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Rural Economy: The Full Picture

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Throughout my five years as the Executive Director of Region Nine Development Commission, a question has constantly been asked, “Who speaks for rural MN?”.

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