Region Five Development Commission's five-year report for 2012-16 was approved by resolution at the 2016 annual meeting.
"This publication shares the vast breadth and depth of the Region Five Development Commission's body of work over the last five years, however it is the strength of the relationships that were necessary to accomplish shared successes," said Chuck Parins, board chair, in a news release.
What does the future hold?
"The region is committed to a future that balances economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and quality of life for all people that is planned and implemented in ways that do not jeopardize local control," stated Cheryal Lee Hills, executive director, in a news release. "The commission is honored to further serve the region in ways that meet this expectation."
Visit www.regionfive.org and click on "Region Five's 5-year report" to view its contents.
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Hills expanded on how collaborating and innovating led to trust, performance and growth, resulting in a high degree of sustainability and local control in the release.
"Authentic relationships that achieve mutually shared goals have evolved and matured with local municipalities, state, federal agencies, philanthropic, nonprofit and social advocacy agencies," Hills stated. "Our 501(c)(3) arm of the development commission, called the North Central Economic Development Association, allows for expansive private sector engagement and relationships. Region Five Development Commission nurtures a culture of leadership development within the commission and staff, yet fully appreciates our unique role in the region. Sometimes we collectively address regional critical issues as a subservient leader or partner, and others as the lead organization."
Region Five Development Commission's four broad departmental areas include: transportation, economic development, community development and finance. The commission provides a variety of technical assistance services to local units of government based on the needs of the region, partnering with numerous state and federal agencies, obtaining and administering grants for programs and projects at the local level, and is recognized for its fiscal responsibility and capabilities in professional program management.
The commission's work is guided by a governing body that consists of 25 members representing a cross-section of constituents from around the five-county region. Members of the commission include representatives from county government, small and large cities, townships, school boards, the Council of Government Representatives, the Leech Lake Tribal Council and soil and water conservation districts.
Funding comes from a variety of sources. The seed funding that sustains the commission's activities is a tax levy, which is set by the state of Minnesota. Levy dollars comprise about one-third of the commission's budget. Those levy dollars are used by the commission to leverage the remaining two-thirds of the budget, which comes from grants and contracts.
The establishment of regional development commissions was organized by local elected officials as authorized by the Minnesota Regional Development Act of 1969. The act defines the boundaries, membership, operating principles and the specific duties and powers of a development commission.
There are nine regional development commissions in Minnesota covering 63 counties. Region Five Development Commission was established in 1973, with a purpose to ensure "the orderly and harmonious coordination of state, federal and local comprehensive planning and development programs for the solution of economic, social, physical and governmental problems of the state and its citizens."
