Deep Dive with Region Five

R5RTCC 2025 Update

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:00:00 -0600

Thomas Zimmermann, R5RTCC Mobility Manager, shares details about the transportation council in Region 5. Learn more at r5rtcc.org

Comprehensive Planning Introduction

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:00:00 -0600

Savannah Winkler, Regional Development Planner, shares information about Comprehensive Planning, including the local decision-making process, partnerships, challenges, and successes. Learn more at regionfive.org/comprehensive-planning

Community Bridgemakers

Mon, 13 May 2024 10:00:00 -0500

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.

Sprout CARES Act Loan Impact

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 18:00:00 -0500

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 northcentraleda.org

North Central Regional Food Business Center Overview

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 21:00:00 -0600

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

NGIN Inclusive Recovery Guide

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 12:00:00 -0500

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 guide and become part of their online community at recovery.newgrowth.org/

Ag Mental Health - Stressors and Strategies

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0500

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 Commission. Keith Olander and Monica McConkey join us to share stressors and strategies for overall well-being. Staci Headley from R5DC also joins us. For more information about this program, visit regionfive.org/local-foods

Why R5DC Focuses on Equity

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 11:00:00 -0500

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 regionfive.org/welcoming-communities.

AgVet Program

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0600

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 regionfive.org/military-connections

This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Program, project 1029231 and will be implemented over a three-year period.

Cultivating Communities Summit

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 21:00:00 -0500

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 regionfive.org/events or sowingroom.org to learn more. We hope to see you at the summit!

Little Falls Wayfinding Project

Sat, 20 Nov 2021 11:00:00 -0600

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 the history of how energy and natural resources have shaped our local community.

Visit regionfive.org/welcoming-communities to learn more.

Welcoming Communities Advocacy Group - Go North

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 12:00:00 -0500

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 regionfive.org/welcoming-communities to learn more.

Rural Communities Equity Action Guide

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 16:00:00 -0600

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 Growth & Justice; and Dawn Espe, Sr. Regional Development Planner at R5DC.

Visit regionfive.org/equity to learn more.

Renewable Energy & Energy Planning

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 16:00:00 -0600

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 regionfive.org/eep

Transportation Advisory Council

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 13:00:00 -0600

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 Morrison County; Tad Erickson, R5DC Senior Regional Planner.

Learn more at regionfive.org.

For more information about MnDOT, listeners can go to MnDOT’s website at MnDOT.gov. From this website, you can access the MnDOT District 3 website by going to the left side of the opening page, finding the statewide map, and clicking on the “Central MN” area. You can also reach Steve Voss directly by phone at (218) 828-5779 or by e-mail at steve.voss@state.mn.us.

RTCC - Regional Transportation Coordinating Council

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 14:00:00 -0600

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 Brainerd City Council member; Tom Gottfried, Executive Director at Minnesota Department of Transportation - Minnesota Council on Transportation Access (MCOTA).

Learn more at www.regionfive.org/rtcc.

Sprout Marketplace

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 13:00:00 -0600

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 Espe, R5DC, and Arlene Jones and Fallon Ryan from Sprout. You will also hear some of the ways Sprout has adjusted since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Military Connections Part 2

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 12:00:00 -0500

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 around three programs: Regional Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, Regional Military & Veterans Exchange and the VetCSA program. Visit regionfive.org/military-connections for more information.

Military Connections

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 15:00:00 -0500

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 Hills. The focus of our conversation is on two programs: Regional Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and Regional Military & Veterans Exchange. Visit regionfive.org/military-connections for more information.

R5DC Staff Introductions

Wed, 20 May 2020 10:00:00 -0500

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!

R5DC Overview

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 10:00:00 -0600

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.