West Central Initiative

Programs and outreach: our early childhood initiative is a network of parents, educators, businesses, community leaders, faith leaders, and policymakers joined in a long-term effort to prioritize the care and development of young children. Two important facets of our early childhood initiative include our early childhood dental network and early childhood mental health network. Both programs take a collaborative approach to help ensure our children get the care they need and deserve. We completed the climate action plan for west central minnesota in spring of 2023, and we are now focused on putting it into action through staffing and outreach, with the goal of creating a sustainable and respected environment for the future. In september 2024, we sponsored more than 30 welcoming week events in our region to welcome and celebrate newcomers of all backgrounds. Our live wide open program showcases the opportunities, natural amenities, and diverse individuals in west central minnesota, aiming to inspire a sense of belonging and attract people to the region. Our rural democracy program, in a region considered leadership distressed, offers training to individuals considering running for office, engages historically excluded groups in civic processes, and supports local leaders in participating in local government and nonprofits. Our climate and sustainability program coordinated a solar purchasing campaign in partnership with solar united neighbors that educated 100 residents about solar opportunities for their homes; supported 10 communities in in developing small-scale solar and energy resilience projects that have direct community benefits, leveraging public and philanthropic funds; convened monthly meeting and events with regional stakeholders around climate action opportunities from the mn region 4 climate action plan.

Planning and economic development: through our planning, lending, and technical assistance work, we partner with regional leaders to create vibrant, sustainable, and welcoming communities for all. As the federally designated planning organization for the region through the u.s. Economic development administration, every five years we create a comprehensive economic development strategy for the region iv economic development district of minnesota. The document outlines the needs, goals, strategies, and implementation process for the region's economic development work. We distributed $1.75 million in loans in fy25 to 25 businesses in our region. Through a contract with the minnesota department of transportation, we administer a transportation planning program for west central minnesota. This partnership allows for coordinated, long-range regional transportation planning. New safe routes to school plans were created during the year that benefited more than 340 students.