From the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission - January 21, 2021

The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC), in coordination with an array of regional partners with the Arrowhead Growth Alliance (AGA), is launching its engagement process for an update to the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

The CEDS covers the seven counties of northeast Minnesota (Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis Counties) and seeks a unified vision for its economic development. It aims to create more prosperous, resilient, diversified, and inclusive economies and communities across Northeast Minnesota. The CEDS is built around four cornerstones (human capital, economic competitiveness, community resources, and foundational assets) that form the foundation for economic growth in the region. Completion of an updated CEDS every five years is critical for the region’s ability to secure federal funding through agencies such as the Economic Development Administration and provides a comprehensive vision for regional cooperation on a variety of initiatives. Recent regional efforts include recovery strategies after mass layoffs in Koochiching and Itasca Counties, an infrastructure grant on the Grand Portage Reservation, funding for an incubator building in Cohasset, and numerous applications in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

The engagement process will take place between January and March 2021 over at least 20 sessions conducted via Zoom. ARDC has contracted with Northspan to facilitate the sessions, which will be led by Northspan President & CEO Elissa Hansen. The engagement process will also use community coordinators in locations where the sessions take place to recruit community participants and ensure broad participation. Engagement events will take place on the following dates:

 

 

For a complete schedule and registration information, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CEDSRegistration. Participation is open to all who live or work in the seven counties and requires registration. Once you register, you will receive a brief pre-session survey that will help the facilitators frame the discussion by gathering ideas on how to move the region toward its vision.

Josh Bergstad, AICP

Principal Planner

ARDC Planning, ARDC

Phone: (218) 529-7516 (Office)

Email: [email protected]

Elissa Hansen

President & CEO

Northspan

Phone: (218) 590-5133

Email: [email protected]