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Summary and Resources for
Connected Progress - Workshop #6
Summary and Resources for
Connected Progress - Workshop #6
The "Connected Progress - Workshop #6" took place on May 7th, 2025. It is the culminating event of the D4CR Northwest Minnesota project. We are in the process of summarizing Workshop #6 and uploading resources created for and by the workshop. They will be uploaded as they are created and are expected to be complete in June.
The "Connected Progress - Workshop #6" took place on May 7th, 2025. It is the culminating event of the D4CR Northwest Minnesota project. We are in the process of summarizing Workshop #6 and uploading resources created for and by the workshop. They will be uploaded as they are created and are expected to be complete in June.
Have questions? Email Jonee Kulman Brigham at kulma002@umn.edu or Tim Griffin at griff282@umn.edu
Overview
Overview
Connected Progress - Workshop 6
Connected Progress - Workshop 6
(Coffee, pastries, sign in, and exhibit available at 9:30)
Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM
Tuesday, May 7, 2025,
Garden Valley Technologies
206 Vance Avenue S., Erskine, Minnesota
D4CR Northwest MN is a collaborative process to engage communities in Northwest Minnesota in imagining and planning a thriving and resilient future. The purpose is to think broadly to get the most value from investments and to prioritize regional and local projects for funding opportunities. It is facilitated by a University of Minnesota team and partners. Prior workshops generated an online set of GIS Maps, identified regional assets, and prioritized innovations and goals.
Connected Progress - Workshop 6 was the culmination of the D4CR Northwest MN project. Representatives of various point of view groups (POV) considered many possible innovations to bring to the region and their communities. In a negotiations process designed to draw out perspectives and find common ground, a ten priority areas were determined by the groups to focus on in the near future to focus efforts of grant funding, and more detailed studies.
Summary Report - in progress
Summary Report - in progress
The summary report is in progress. It will include:
Intro and Executive Summary
Project background
Summary of work and workshops over the two years of the project
Detail on "Connected Progress" Workshop 6
Ten Priorities for Connected Progress in Northwest Minnesota
-Description of each priority area
-Resources and Networks to move each area forward.Resources and Recommendations for Next Steps
Workshop 6 Reference Resources
Workshop 6 Reference Resources
Agenda
Agenda
Featuring a Special Presentation:
Featuring a Special Presentation:
"Middle of Everywhere"
Benjamin Winchester
"Middle of Everywhere"
Benjamin Winchester
Extension Educator, Evaluation & Rural Sociology
Regional Office St. Cloud
Extension Educator, Evaluation & Rural Sociology
Regional Office St. Cloud
During the Rural Reflections section of the agenda, rural sociologist, Ben Winchester has prepared a special video presentation for the workshop that debunks myths about the rural narrative and reveals the regional reality of rural life, and how to capitalize on the special character and connections in Greater Minnesota. A paired interactive exercise will build more regional insights and connections between participants.
About Ben Winchester: Ben has been working both in and for small towns across the Midwest for over 25 years. He lives in St. Cloud, Minnesota with his wife and two children. Ben is trained as a Rural Sociologist and works for the University of Minnesota Extension. He conducts applied research on economic, social, and demographic topics surrounding a theme of “rewriting the rural narrative”. He recently received the international Rural Renewal Research Prize in 2021 for this work. Read more in his full bio.
Northwest Minnesota Atlas
Northwest Minnesota Atlas
Welcome to the Northwest Minnesota Atlas, a dynamic collection of GIS story maps showcasing key aspects of our state's infrastructure. This resource delves into essential topics such as Water Infrastructure, Agriculture, Green Infrastructure, Energy, Transport, Industry, Residential, Institutional spaces, Economic Development, and People of Northwest Minnesota. By visualizing data and narratives through engaging maps, the Atlas provides an overview of how these interconnected systems shape Northwest Minnesota's communities and environment.
This Northwest Minnesota Atlas is a draft - please let us know if you have suggestions or questions.
Idea Deck for Northwest MN
Idea Deck for Northwest MN
The Idea Deck Cards were used in the workshop for Point of View (POV) teams to identify, discuss, and prioritize ideas for connected progress in Northwest MN.
Index Card
The cards are in categories of Water, Agriculture & Food, Green Infrastructure, Energy, Transportation, Industry & Commerce, Institutional, Housing, Economic Development, and People. The cards can be combined to provide even greater value in a single initiative.
“Each Idea Card provides benefits alone, but connected with other cards and across the region the ideas have even more power. For example, how can a recreational trail, also support green infrastructure, habitat, water quality, regional tourism, and interpret local history? What connected strategies will you find?”
View the Cards
There are about a hundred cards that participants engaged with. Some are marked as of particular interest by the planning team. Click on each category below to view a PDF of the cards in that category.
01WaterPages.pdf02AgriculturePages.pdf03GreenPages.pdf04EnergyPages.pdf05TransPages.pdf06IndustryPages.pdf07InsitutionalPages.pdf08HousingPages.pdf09EconomicPages.pdf10PeoplePages.pdfPage updated
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