Region Five Development Commission and North Central Economic Development Association strategic plan

Region Five Development Commission

Region Five Development Commission's mission is to enhance the vitality and quality of life for all people in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena counties in Minnesota by bridging relationships and resources.

• Project purpose

  The work of the Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) and its affiliated lending organization, North Central Economic Development Association (NCEDA), has expanded in both scope and depth. At the same time, the needs of the region continue to shift, and this strategic plan reinforces R5DC's role as a convener, planner, and connector — integrating planning, partnerships, funding, and implementation to better support communities.

• Objectives

  • Build on the organization's previous five-year strategic plan.

  • Provide a cohesive and actionable framework that strengthens R5DC/NCEDA’s ability to respond to community priorities, expand partnerships, increase access to resources, and demonstrate measurable impact over time.

• Outcomes

  Through the synthesis of staff surveys, focus groups, and community input, we co-created a 2026–2031 strategic plan organized around four core goals:

  1. Continue community-centered development and resilience.

  2. Deepen regional impact, storytelling, and organizational visibility.

  3. Diversify and expand funding.

  4. Grow internal alignment, synergy, and capacity.

  Each goal is supported by a comprehensive set of recommended strategies, actions, and impact metrics to help the organization achieve long-term prosperity for the communities it serves.

• Timeline

  Jan–Jun 2026

• Project team

  Jordan Greene — Project supervisor, tool design, client communication, data collection and analysis, strategic planning, and report writing

  Andrea Mader — Tool development and facilitation

  Nat Bauer — Graphic and layout design

“[Sweet Grass did an] excellent job summarizing public input. [We received] a well-written document that is relatable and reflective of what the folks from our region shared; they see their voices in the document. [We appreciated the] fresh eyes and unbiased experiences with our organization . . . and, of course, a valued relationship.” —Cheryal Hills, Region Five Development Commission

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