Thriving Rural Communities

Updated report and more community sessions ahead

What does it really take for communities across northeastern Minnesota to thrive?

That question is at the heart of the Thrive Rural Framework—a new, research-informed effort bringing people together across the region to tackle complex, long-standing hurdles to future growth and prosperity. (Read our Fall Notes article introducing the framework.) So far, the answer is: many people, organizations, and communities working more closely together than ever before.

Supported by the Northland Foundation in partnership with the Northspan Group, a year of research, an in-depth and newly updated report, and input-gathering community meetings in every county reinforced two conclusions. (1) Challenges are persistent but not insurmountable, and (2) collaboration and sustained action are the way forward.

“Northland doesn’t have all the answers or resources, no single organization does. But, all of us together are smarter than any one of us alone.”  —Tony Sertich

Seven Action Areas

The updated report (get it here) is robust. It’s intended to be a catalyst, sparking fresh energy and creative thinking that will jump start real change. If our October-December road tour—eight outreach sessions across seven counties—are any indication, people are excited to get started.

The final assessment report zeroes in on seven areas for action, backed by the research and honed by community input.

All seven issues are important. They are also complex, and it would be short-sighted to dive into all seven at once.

Housing and Leadership Development are where we’ll start, while also doing more background work before launching into Local Information Sharing Systems.

None of these are simple issues, and no one policy, program, or investment will resolve them. But, we are all-in. Northland Foundation is committed to putting the gears in motion and supporting progress along the way.

“We’ve seen regional efforts succeed before, and we can do it again. Not by reliving the past, but by learning from it and committing to act differently for ourselves, those we care about, and those who come after us,” Sertich added.

Forward Motion

This spring and summer, follow-up listening sessions will be held in all seven counties. Sessions will kick off by re-familiarizing everyone on the framework then dig into housing and the next generation of leadership. The agenda will explore what’s missing in your community, who is already working in that space, and who is not part of the conversation but should be. We look forward to rich discussions that will continue the momentum.

Local public broadcasting is helping spread the word across our region, too. PBS North is producing a special featuring Northspan’s Karl Scheuettler and Tony Sertich to more widely share the assessment’s finding, the framework behind it, and build greater regional buy-in. Stay tuned for air dates and streaming link!

Upcoming Community Sessions and Links

We hope to connect with local and regional elected/appointed leaders, economic development and financing professionals, housing organizations, business and community leaders and anyone curious and eager to get involved.