Region Five awarded NJPA branding project grant

Region Five Development Commission’s Regional Branding project is the recipient of a $100,000 Innovation Grant. The National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) Funding Innovation Program engages representatives from cities and counties to rank applications and select awarded projects in Region 5.

The regional branding project will help the region highlight its assets, allow individual communities to maximize their impact, and build a culture of community collaboration. 

The overarching goals of the proposed project are to:

o attract potential workforce - primarily millennials;

o attract businesses - either startups or relocations; and

o build a culture of collaboration among the municipalities of the region. 

The proposed project will result in a brand that will build a favorable internal and external image of the region and its small cities - one that builds social capital within the region, is owned by its communities and is attractive to those external to the region.

R5DC is currently conducting a survey, asking residents what they see as the assets of the five county region of Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena. To complete the survey, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/R5DCMaster. 

To learn more about the regional branding effort or to request a paper copy of the survey, contact Dawn Espe at despe@regionfive.org or 218-894-3233.