2019 Impact Award

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Region Nine Development Commission has received a 2019 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations for MedTech Connect.

MedTech Connect was motivated by the need to develop a conceptual framework that inventories and supports medical manufacturing activities in South Central Minnesota. The plan examines how and how well manufacturing and related industries leverage their geographic proximity to the medical manufacturing hub in the Twin Cities and innovations at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Results from this report indicate that South Central Minnesota is poised for growth in the medical manufacturing sector and has led to RNDC applying and being awarded a grant from the Economic Development Administration to conduct a feasibility study for a Manufacturing Resource Center in Waseca.

NADO is a 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 Impact Awards program recognizes regional development organizations and their partners for improving the economic and community competitiveness of our nation’s regions and local communities.

–Free Press, Names and Notables

November E-Newsletter

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Region 9 Recently Honored By A National Organization

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The Region Nine Development Commission was recently recognized by the National Association of Development Organizations. Nicole Griensewic Mickelson is the executive director of Region Nine says they receive the 2019 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award.

“It was for our Medtech connect plan,” said Griensewic Mickelson. “It looked at all of the medical supply chains throughout south-central Minnesota. We were able to talk to all sorts of business owners to advance this manufacturing field.”

Region Nine representatives say the plan examines how and how well manufacturing and related industries leverage their geographic proximity to the medical manufacturing hub of the Twin Cities and innovations at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

–KTOE

RNDC receives national Impact Award of 2019 by NADO

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WASHINGTON (KEYC) — The Region Nine Development Commission (RNDC) has received a 2019 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for their contributions to MedTech Connect.

MedTech Connect was created due to the developing need for a conceptual framework that inventories and supports medical manufacturing activities in south-central Minnesota.

The plan examines how and how well manufacturing and related industries leverage their geographic proximity to the medical manufacturing hub of the Twin Cities and innovations at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

The results from the report, found below, indicate that south-central Minnesota is poised for growth in the medical manufacturing sector and has led to the RNDC applying, and being awarded, a grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to conduct a feasibility study for a Manufacturing Resource Center in Waseca.

Read the full KEYC article.

Region Nine Development Commission Receives National Association of Development Organizations 2019 Impact Award

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Region Nine Development Commission (RNDC) has received a 2019 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for MedTech Connect.

MedTech Connect was motivated by the need to develop a conceptual framework that inventories and supports medical manufacturing activities in South Central Minnesota. The plan examines how and how well manufacturing and related industries leverage their geographic proximity to the medical manufacturing hub in the Twin Cities and innovations at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Results from this report indicate that South Central Minnesota is poised for growth in the medical manufacturing sector and has led to RNDC applying and being awarded a grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to conduct a feasibility study for a Manufacturing Resource Center in Waseca, MN.

NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promote programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through regional cooperation, program delivery, and comprehensive strategies.  The association’s Impact Awards program recognizes regional development organizations and their partners for improving the economic and community competitiveness of our nation’s regions and local communities.

Award-winning projects were honored during NADO’s 2019 Annual Training Conference, held October 19-22 in Reno, NV.  The 2019 class of award recipients consists of 100 projects from 66 organizations spanning 24 states.  These projects are presented in an interactive “Story Map” developed by NADO and CivicLens that includes project summaries and partners.  The Story Map is available online at:  https://www.nado.org/impactawards/.

“The Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Awards program is an opportunity each year for NADO to publicly recognize the important services that regional development organizations deliver to their local communities,” said 2018-2019 NADO President Scott Koons, executive director of the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council, located in Gainesville.  “The projects awarded have made significant impacts on their regions and demonstrate the diversity of programs and resources provided by regional development organizations across the country.”

The NADO Impact Awards are presented in honor of the late Aliceann Wohlbruck who was NADO’s first executive director and served 24 years as a tireless champion for regional approaches to economic development in rural communities.

View the KTOE article.

Lake Crystal strategic plan to be discussed at public meeting

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LAKE CRYSTAL — The city of Lake Crystal and Region Nine Development Commission will host a public meeting Wednesday highlighting Lake Crystal’s Strategic Economic Development Plan.

The plan is the result of a seven-month initiative between the city and Region Nine that creates a comprehensive picture of Lake Crystal’s economy, position and reputation within the region, according to a news release from the commission.

 

The public meeting is 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the City Hall community room, 100 E. Robinson St., in Lake Crystal. The meeting will showcase the plan as well as provide discussion about the next steps and implementation.

The plan incorporated public engagement and feedback that allowed Region Nine to verify findings, test assumptions and uncover additional challenges or opportunities the city may face, the commission said.

 

“With the plan complete, the city of Lake Crystal, Lake Crystal Economic Development Authority and its partners will have a road map to grow Lake Crystal and improve the quality of life for its residents,” Lake Crystal City Administrator Taylor Gronau said in a statement.

“Lake Crystal is much more than a small town — it is a highly educated workforce, an attractive destination, and an untapped potential for future investments,” Region Nine Executive Director Nicole Griensewic Mickelson said in the release.

View the Free Press article.

People gather for first-ever Southern Minnesota Equity Summit

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ST. PETER, Minn. (KEYC) — A variety of different sectors were brought together for discussions on equity and diversity in communities and workplaces.

Region Nine Development Commission, in partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension for Community Vitality and the Greater Mankato Diversity Council and support from the Bush Foundation, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Mankato Area Foundation and St. Peter Public Schools hosted the event.

“We brought together a variety of different sectors in a community. Including government, business, education, philanthropy, and we brought them together, so they are able to share how they can build equity, diversity and inclusion within their communities,” Region Nine Consultant Julie Hawker said.

Keynote speakers were present for the event, such as Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. Flanagan’s principles of her career work are giving back particularly to children and families of color, American Indians, low income and working people.

“I came here today to Southern Minnesota to talk about the need to ensure that everything we are doing is through an equity lens. That diversity and inclusion should be very central to the work that we do. That there’s so much more we can do to make Minnesota more welcoming and inclusive through the leaders right here in the community,” said Flanagan.

Flanagan opened the floor to questions and listened to as attendees voiced their concerns on the topic.

That included requesting more diversity in leadership roles in schools and government positions.

The day served as a day of networking between groups to learn how to find tools in their community and to increase diverse equity.

View the KEYC article and video.

Lt. Gov. Flanagan calls for more inclusive communities

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At southern Minnesota’s first summit focused specifically on equity, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan called on area leaders to foster welcoming and inclusive communities.

Flanagan, a White Earth Band of Ojibwe member, gave the summit’s afternoon keynote Friday at St. Peter High School, while also describing what she and Gov. Tim Walz are doing to promote equity statewide.

“Our population makeup, our communities and our workforce continue to become more and more diverse, and it is the fabric that makes us who we are as a state,” she said.

 

Partner organizations convened the summit in part to highlight what communities in southern Minnesota are already doing so more places can follow suit.

“There’s a lot of great things that are already happening,” said Nicole Griensewic Mickelson, executive director at Region Nine Development Commission. “We’re trying to share those stories across communities, across sectors so everyone can take away and learn from one another and see what is working.”

The commission organized the event alongside the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality and the Greater Mankato Diversity Council. All are involved in equity work in the region, with the commission’s Rural Equity Learning Community program an example. The program drew leaders from several communities for monthly workshops on inclusiveness and diversity.

Attendees took part in panels and breakout sessions on topics ranging from inclusion in the workplace to uncovering hidden biases during the hiring process. Representatives from area businesses, nonprofits and government bodies led various sessions.

Read the full Free Press article.