Commission
Annual
Meeting 2018
The Northwest Regional Development Commission (NWRDC) is a body of 23 local elected officials and eight public interest members that represent counties, cities, townships, school districts and special interest groups who have formed a special purpose unit of government, as authorized by the Regional Development Act of 1969, to “develop plans and implement programs which address growth and development issues” in Northwest Minnesota.
Click here to download the Commission Nomination Form.
The Commission appoints a board of directors made up of one member from each county and a chairperson elected at-large to conduct its monthly business.
The Commission also appoints advisory committees to help in setting specific program direction. Committees are active in Aging, Arts, Economic Development and Transportation.
The Commission has also entered into a cooperative agreement with the Northwest Minnesota Enterprise Fund Inc. to provide program guidance on the Revolving Loan Fund.
Commission Membership
* Board Member ** Chairperson
Kittson County
Dr. Joe Bouvette** Hallock Counties
Kimberley Johnson* Kennedy Townships
David Treumer Hallock Municipalities
Loren Younggren Hallock Counties
Marshall County
Gary Kiesow* Goodridge Counties
Loren Lusignan Grygla Townships
Gail Yutrzenka Argyle School Boards
Richard Mosher Grygla Municipalities
Norman County
Nathan Redland* Halstad Counties
Sharon Josephson Fertile Townships
Kari Kirschbaume Gary Municipalities
Lucas Spaeth Halstad School Boards
Pennington County
Bruce Lawrence* Thief River Falls Counties
Dave Erickson Thief River Falls Townships
Brian Holmer Thief River Falls Municipalities
Elvera Cullen Thief River Falls At Large
Dante Steele Thief River Falls Minorities
Polk County
Warren Strandell* East Grand Forks Counties
Keith Sistad Fosston Townships
Toby Strom McIntosh Municipalities
Gerald Amiot Crookston Labor
Gerald Jacobson Fertile Seniors
Kathleen Twite East Grand Forks Business
Norma Campos East Grand Forks Minorities
Red Lake County
Ronald Weiss* Red Lake Falls Watershed District
John Dudycha Plummer Counties
Kevin Reich Red Lake Falls Townships
Jim DuChamp Plummer Municipalities
Roseau County
Daryl Wicklund* Badger County
Debra Wiskow Greenbush Townships
Dr. Joe Bouvette
A message from our
Chairperson
When the Minnesota Regional Development Act was passed
50 years ago in 1969, the intent was to create local organizations that would provide services and programs in response to unique regional needs.
In Northwest Minnesota, although demographic data still reflect a somewhat declining and aging population, it exhibits sound strengths in agriculture, manufacturing and health care.
The NWRDC is responding to these trends through its Area Agency on
Aging program, providing services to older Minnesotans so they can stay in their own homes as long as possible, delivering programs that help the elderly and their caregivers maintain
a good quality of life and helping Medicare recipients to understand their options, among many other offerings. The same is true of our other programs: Emergency Operations Planning is provided to 14 counties who have specifically requested our assistance, adding to the disaster preparation and resiliency of the region; the Enterprise Loan Fund last year alone provided more than $900,000 in low interest loans to new and expanding businesses, growing jobs and wealth in our area; the Transportation program teams
with MnDOT and provides funds and
planning to expand active living,
trails, highway improvements and educational opportunities; the Arts program provides exposure to world
renowned artists, promotes cultural events and provides grant funding to further the student and adult artistic
experience; and the Economic and
Community Development programs have provided grantwriting for
emergent business development,
technical assistance for zoning and
planning and connections to state
and federal programs that can grow
our possibilities. Behind it all is a
solid financial and front office staff
that is the glue that holds this
team together.
The work of the NWRDC is wide-
ranging and vital to the future of all
the communities it serves. We are
proud to share the results of our
accomplishments with you.
Thank you for your support!