Latest Posts
- Growing the local foods economyAugust 27, 2019 - 9:42 am
This time of year, the farmers’ markets are rich with local vegetables, berries, meats, breads and jams. It’s a visual testament to the abundance of our region and the ever-growing local foods economy that is sustained by consumers who want to buy directly from area farmers. At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), we have been […]
- Effects of Del Monte closing ripple through Sleepy EyeAugust 23, 2019 - 9:44 am
SLEEPY EYE — The announcement Tuesday that Del Monte would shutter its sweet corn and pea canning plant in Sleepy Eye is reverberating throughout the community. “We had no idea it was coming. It was just a real unpleasant surprise,” said Kurk Kramer, economic development coordinator for the city. “There’s going to be a big […]
- Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities honors area leadersAugust 2, 2019 - 9:53 am
Eagle Lake’s city administrator and the executive director of Region Nine Development Commission were among the Greater Minnesota leaders who received recognition during a July 25 conference in Bemidji. City Administrator Jennifer Bromeland was presented with the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities’ annual Excellence in Service Award. The annual award is given by the […]
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April E-Newsletter
/in News, Newsletter /by Region NineGrant opportunities, new staff and more! Read about it all in Region Nine’s April 2018 E-Newsletter.
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Forum at TCU generates discussions on diversity, racial equity
/in News /by Region NineAccording to Jessica O’Brien of the Region Nine Development Commission, the white population in Le Sueur County is projected to decrease in the years to come while other racial populations remain the same or increase.
O’Brien offered this information at a forum on race held Monday evening, April 16 in the Tri-City United High School cafeteria. Montgomery was the final stop for YWCA Mankato, an organization that promotes racial justice as well as women empowerment. Previously, the speakers and facilitators had previously visited Waseca, St. Peter, New Ulm and St. James.
“I talked to Jessica the end of last summer,” said Mike Preisler, TCU Community Education director who coordinated the race forum at TCU. “She wanted to know if this was something I thought would be welcome in the community, and I thought it would.”
Continue reading the Lonsdale Area News Review article.
Broadband can be life or death for rural areas: How are we doing?
/in News /by Region NineNORTH MANKATO — The threat to rural Minnesota used to be measured mostly by the lack of good paying jobs needed to keep young people staying in or moving to small towns.
Bill Coleman says the presence or absence of dependable, speedy broadband service is now the key to rural Minnesota’s success or failure.
“Even the smallest manufacturer now requires a fiber connection before they’ll move to a location,” Coleman, owner of Community Technology Advisors, told leaders from the nine-county region.
And it’s not just the ability to attract businesses and jobs that requires solid broadband service, it’s become a top requirement for young people considering moving to the area.
“More people say they won’t move to a place that doesn’t have connectivity.”
And he said the use of devices for telemedicine, in livestock and crop production, and other areas of daily life are only going to grow in rural areas.
Coleman spoke at Region Nine Development Commission’s Connect Rural Broadband Summit in North Mankato Thursday.
Continue reading the Free Press article.
March E-Newsletter
/in News /by Region NineJanuary E-Newsletter
/in News, Newsletter /by Region NineLearn 5 creative ideas for community engagement, share your story on broadband, and more in the latest issue of Region Nine’s E-News.
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Madelia Comprehensive Plan Open for Review
/in News /by Region NineThe draft of the Madelia Comprehensive Plan is ready for public review. The process started in January 2017 with an online community survey, a series of community engagement events and city council meetings. The draft document represents the culmination of all the public input and community effort.
Citizens are encouraged to review the document by visiting Madelia’s website at http://bit.ly/MadeliaCP. The draft document can be downloaded and comments may be submitted directly to City Hall through January 22, 2018. A hard copy of the draft is available at City Hall or the Madelia Branch Library.
After public review, the draft will undergo a public hearing process and be considered by City Council for adoption on January 22, 2018.
Questions and comments on the Madelia Comprehensive Plan can be directed to Madelia City Administrator, Jane Piepgras by phone at (507) 642-3245 or e-mail at jane.piepgras@madeliamn.com.
November E-Newsletter
/in News, Newsletter /by Region NineWhat have we been up to at Region Nine Development Commission? Find out in the latest edition of our e-news!
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2017 Annual Performance Report – Public Review
/in Miscellaneous, News /by Region NineOctober 2017 E-Newsletter
/in News, Newsletter /by Region NineRegion Nine Awarded First Ever Agriculture Resilience Planning Grant
/in News /by Region NineOctober 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.