Katie Baier, Program Manager for Community Bridgemakers, shares more information about this collaborative, regional program led by the Initiative Foundation, Region Five Development Commission, and Sourcewell.

Arlene Jones, Executive Director of Sprout, shares the impacts the CARES Act funding had on their organization during the pandemic. To learn more about loan programs through R5DC's non-profit lending arm, visit

Listen as we share an overview about the North Central Regional Food Business Center. Learn more at www.northcentralrfbc.org.

In this episode, my colleague BJ Allen, R5DC's Deputy Director, sits down with Betsey Suchanic and Dee Shaw from New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN) to talk about their Inclusive Recovery Guide. You can learn more about NGIN, check out the gui...

In this episode, we share information about the Agricultural Mental Health & Wellness Program, supported in partnership by the MN Department of Agriculture, Minnesota State Agricultural Centers of Excellence and Region Five Development Comm...

Cheryal Hills, R5DC's executive director, shares why we focus on equity work as a regional economic and community development organization in central Minnesota. Learn more about our work in this space at

Cheryal Hills, Executive Director of R5DC, and Arlene Jones, Executive Director of Sprout MN, share details about the new AgVet Program, enhancing agricultural opportunities for military veterans and their families. To learn more, visit

In this episode, we hear from Dawn Espe and Hannah Smith as they share more details about the Cultivating Communities | A North Central MN Welcoming Summit that R5DC is hosting September 19-20. Visit ...

Listen as Katie Retka, Adrienne Benjamin,  and Erica Bjelland share details about the beautiful Wayfinding Project created by the Welcoming Advocacy Group in Little Falls. This project ties together the themes of cultural resources with th...

Learn more about Welcoming Advocacy Group Go North. Guests include Kathy Hachey, Go North; Tom Lillehei, Breezy Point,  and Dawn Espe, Sr. Regional Development Planner at R5DC.Visit

Learn more about the launch of the Rural Communities Equity Action Guide. Guests include Martin Jennings, Program Officer at the Northwest Area Foundation; Jane Leonard, President at

We share details about renewable energy and energy planning in our region. Guests include BJ Allen and Jason Edens, JBJ World; Cheryal Hills and Erica Bjelland, R5DC & NCEDA.Learn more at reg...

We share details about the Transportation Advisory Council in Central MN. Guests include Steve Voss, MN Department of Transportation; Tim Bray, Crow Wing County; Chuck Parins, Morrison County Public Works and R5DC Township Representative for Mo...

We share details about the Regional Transportation Coordinating Council for Region 5 in Central MN. Guests include Matt Kallroos, R5DC Regional Planner, Theresa Eclov, Executive Director of Faith in Action; Jan Lambert, R5DC Commissioner and Br...

In this episode, we talk about a creative placemaking and local foods endeavor at Sprout Marketplace in Little Falls, MN. Sprout is strategically shaped around food, art and culture to develop community. Guests for this episode include Dawn Esp...

Join us for Part 2 of our military connected programs! This episode features special guests Tiffany Kovaleski, MN State Coordinator for Building Healthy Military Communities and R5DC Senior Regional Planner Staci Headley. Our discussion centers...

Learn more about our military connected programs! This episode features special guests former Command Sargeant Major Matt Erickson and Veterans Service Officer and Mayor of Sebeka David Anderson and R5DC & NCEDA Executive Director Cheryal H...

In this episode, we share R5DC and NCEDA staff member introductions. Learn more about who we are, what we do, and what we love about working here!

In this first episode of Deep Dive, R5DC Executive Director Cheryal Hills shares an overview of Region Five Development Commission and North Central Economic Development Association.