The West Central Blogger

The West Central Blogger has moved!

2009-03-03T11:24:00.000-06:00

The West Central Blogger has moved to its new location on West Central Initiative's Web site: http://www.wcif.org/.

Click here to join us at our new location.

While you're there,

Subscribe to our RSS (Real Simple Syndication) feed to get the most recent posts automatically. Just click on the orange RSS button.
If you are a member of one of our online communities, subscribe to our blog by clicking on the "Subscribe" link. If you aren't a member, anyone can join our "Regional Community" online community.

We look forward to seeing you at http://www.wcif.org/!

Exploring high-demand, high-pay occupations in west central Minnesota

2009-02-26T13:12:00.000-06:00

What are some of the high-pay, high-demand occupations in west central Minnesota? A consortium of organizations, including Minnesota DEED, iSeek Solutions, Rural Minnesota CEP and West Central Initiative, compile this information each year to help folks with career and education decisions.
See the results of their occupation research. Or you can request a print copy at 651-201-1521.

Add your two cents at Minnesota budget town hall meetings

2009-02-17T15:50:00.000-06:00

On Friday, February 20, the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate will hold two town hall meetings in west central Minnesota to hear from Minnesotans on Governor Pawlenty’s budget recommendations. The public is invited to attend.

Learn more.

A quick overview of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

2009-02-17T10:14:00.000-06:00

CFED has sent out a great overview of the newly passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

A Valentine to you, west central Minnesota

2009-02-13T14:07:00.000-06:00

It's a new Web site!

2009-02-11T11:21:00.064-06:00

West Central Initiative is pleased to announce the birth of its new Web site, http://www.wcif.org/. It was a somewhat difficult birth (several weeks overdue!) but parent and child are doing well. And isn’t it just the prettiest thing?!! We will continue to monitor the Web site’s health to make sure everything is functioning properly. If you see any issues (links that don’t work, toes that are missing) please let us know.

Brand new and we already feel the need to brag about all the amazing things our newest addition can do:

It allows us to move functions to one Web site that were on separate sites before, like the events calendar, online donations and our blogs.
Its events calendar feature gives WCI the capability of online registration. You can also "Tell a friend about this event," see a map of the event location and receive an event reminder.
The biggest change is that http://www.wcif.org/ now has online communities for the groups WCI works with. Members of our online groups will be able to use them to post messages and questions to each other, chat online with another member, create online photo galleries and file libraries, keep a group events calendar, post surveys and quizzes, and work collaboratively on a document. Another feature in the works is online forums for each group. If you're interested in being a part of a group, we're inviting anyone--particularly those who live and work in west central Minnesota--to join "Regional Community."

USDA has programs to help lower income families with home ownership or repair

2009-02-06T11:26:00.021-06:00

USDA Rural Development has funds available for housing programs to help lower income people become homeowners or to make home repairs.

Rural Developments direct housing program offers 100 percent financing to qualified applicants to become homeowners. Its home repair program offers a one percent interest loans for a maximum of $20,000 for up to 20 years based on a household's repayment ability.

Learn more about the housing programs and specific qualifications by calling the Alexandria office at (320) 763-3161, ext. 4, or email allan.cowles@mn.usda.gov. If you're in Becker or Clay County, contact the Detroit Lakes office at (218) 847-9392.

Information is also online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn.

A little patch of spring

2009-02-05T09:05:00.014-06:00

A tin of wheatgrass is providing WCI staff with a little reprieve from winter every time we look at and touch it. If only it were big enough to run barefoot through it....

Get more/do more with your tax refund

2009-01-30T09:29:00.050-06:00

It's Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day in the U.S. The IRS wants people to know that tax credits are available for low- to moderate- income working individuals and families. In today's economy, a larger refund is particularly welcome. See if you qualify.

Wondering what's the best thing to do with your tax refund? The U of M Extension Service suggests four smart uses:

Pay off bills.
Save for needs in the coming year. Maybe you know a big bill is on the horizon, or you just want to put something aside as an emergency fund.
Save for long-term goals. Think "retirement."
Save for special purchases. Need to replace an appliance? A sofa? Use your tax refund to start saving toward it.

Starbuck has big plans for community blog

2009-01-27T08:53:00.045-06:00

Members of Starbucks' Horizons Leadership program have launched a community blog, with area residents as the bloggers.

Recent topics include upcoming musical events, the need for licensed child care/foster care, information about home-delivered meals for seniors, invitations to join local groups, and WCI/Valspar's Minnesota Beautiful project. The site also has links to discussions by the Horizons group on poverty, leadership and community awareness.

Blog administrators hope the site will become a valued resource and an informative starting point for the entire county in the fight against poverty.

MSCTC is now M State

2009-01-22T16:01:00.000-06:00

It's still Minnesota State Community and Technical College, it's just a lot easier to say. The lengthy "MSCTC" acronym has been changed to "M State." The new "M State" moniker applies to all four campuses of Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena.

Mn/DOT's 20-year transportation plan is available for review/comment

2009-01-21T09:50:00.003-06:00

Have you ever wondered how transportation might change in the next 20 years? Now's your chance to find out. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is making its Minnesota Statewide Transportation Plan for years 2009-2028 available for public review and comment.

The plan, “Transforming Minnesota’s Transportation System,” sets a long-range vision for transportation in Minnesota and identifies transportation system needs, goals and priorities for the next 20 years.

There are several opportunities to review and comment on the plan:

Attend a stakeholder outreach meeting from 9:30 to noon on Thursday, Feb. 5, at West Central Initiative, 1000 Western Ave., Fergus Falls, to hear a brief presentation and view the Minnesota Transportation Policy Plan. To request an ASL interpreter or other reasonable accommodation for this meeting, call 218/846-3609, call the Minnesota Relay Service toll-free at 1-800-627-3529 (TTY, Voice or ASCII) or 711 or e-mail your request to ADArequest@dot.state.mn.us.
Attend a statewide video conference public meeting from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, March 26, 2009, at Mn/DOT Detroit Lakes, 1000 Highway 10 West, or Mn/DOT Morris, 610 Highway 9 South (or in a location of your choice, see list attached). An ASL interpreter will be available at this video conference.
Review and comment on the Statewide Transportation http://www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/stateplan/Plan online. To request this document in an alternative format call 651-366-4718 or e-mail ADArequest@dot.state.mn.us.

Paint available for beautification projects through WCI and Valspar

2009-01-20T13:55:00.002-06:00

Are you looking for a way to spruce up your community, neighborhood or park? West Central Initiative (WCI) may have a solution, thanks to Valspar’s Minnesota Beautiful (formerly Picture It Painted) program. Through a continued collaborative effort with the Valspar Corporation, paint and coatings will be available in 2009 to communities and public organizations located in the west central Minnesota counties of Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin to complete a rehabilitation or restoration project.

Paint and other products, including stain and sealant, will be awarded for interior or exterior restoration or beautification projects that best meet the eligibility criteria. Selection will be based on the visual impact of the project, public benefit to the community, local volunteer participation and support, intended use of the building and benefit to the needy.

Projects that qualify include, but are not limited to, historic buildings, senior citizen or handicapped facilities, community centers, public buildings and murals. Projects that are ineligible for the Minnesota Beautiful program include denominational churches, schools, city maintenance or privately owned facilities. Projects outside of WCI’s nine-county service area do not qualify.

Applications are due March 2, 2009 and approved projects will be announced on or after March 25, 2009. Download the Minnesota Beautiful application here.

For more information on the Minnesota Beautiful program, please call Greg Wagner at 1-800-735-2239 or email him at greg@wcif.org.

Congratulations, Fergus Falls High School Marching Band!

2009-01-20T13:24:00.000-06:00

Even as this entry is being written, the Fergus Falls High School Marching Band is standing in formation ready to march in today's inauguration parade in Washington DC.

Just five weeks ago the band found out that they had been chosen to perform in the parade. Since that time, people, organizations and businesses from around the community, the region and the state have helped quickly raise the funds to cover the substantial costs of transporting, housing, caring and feeding this group of talented students.

Students and band directors are keeping loved ones at home in the loop through the use of technology. From the Fergus Falls High School site, people can learn the latest about the band using Twitter, Flickr and FirePin.

Seven tips for tapping volunteer resources during tight financial times

2009-01-08T14:57:00.002-06:00

When cash resources are short for nonprofits and government organizations, volunteers count for a lot. Literally. In fact, volunteer time in the U.S. has an estimated economic contribution of $3.4 billion dollars annually. The Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration offers these tips to maximize the value volunteers bring to organizations to help them survive tight financial times.

1. Maintain the volunteer manager position, even if faced with the need to make cuts. The dollar value he/she brings to the organization is many times his/her salary.

2. Intensify the impact of volunteer recruitment messages by drawing powerful images from media attention about increased needs.

3. Look for new pools of volunteers such as job seekers or people who want give gifts of skills and time because they are less able to give less financially.

4. Assess the organization for new ways volunteers can meet community needs and reduce staff stress.

5. Avoid any perception that volunteers might be used to replace staff.

6. Make sure there are volunteer opportunities that do not require out of pocket costs.

7. Increase your ability to take advantage of opportunities available through use of volunteer talent by ensuring that leaders of volunteers are well trained in the best practices for volunteer management, and by placing the volunteer manager on the management team, if he/she is not already on it.

Top 10 things a small town should have

2009-01-06T09:24:00.001-06:00

In his latest article in the e-zine The Agurban, rural development guru Jack Schultz from the Boomtown Institute listed the 10 things every small town should have. Read what he has to say, and then ask yourself how your own town is doing. What would it take to make these things a reality in your community?

Top Ten Things I'd Do in Every Town

(reprinted with permission)

Community Foundation - A Community Foundation allows a community, whether it be a single town, county or even a region, to marshal small donations and funds into the efficiency of a large foundation, altering the fabric of that community for the long term. Indiana has been the leader in setting these up in every one of their counties, because of the leadership of the Lilly Foundation.

Brain Bank - Many of our small towns have seen a tremendous brain drain of their best and brightest. However, that drain could be converted into a tremendous asset and several towns have started to cultivate those ex-residents into ambassadors for their communities. North Dakota is doing it in a state-wide initiative.
Entrepreneurial Education - The new paradigm in economic development is to cultivate your own entrepreneurs. Just as the best high school sports teams start to develop their talent in grade school, those towns that want to be part of the new economy are developing entrepreneurial educational initiatives into their high schools and grade schools. Generation E Institute in Battle Creek, Michigan, is the best that I've seen.

Young Professional Organizations - Gen X and Gen Y needs to be nurtured. They are the leaders of the future and those leadership skills need to be developed now. The best I've seen are YPIowa in Iowa and YBNext in my hometown of Effingham, IL.

Arts - Quality of life issues are going to be more important in the decision of where to live and develop a career. Baby boomers went to where the jobs were. Gen X & Y young people are more focused upon quality of life for that decision. All arts are becoming more important for them in that decision. Make it easy for them to choose your town by emphasizing your art assets. Paducah, Kentucky, has done it best.

Tourism - Find the inexpensive ways to promote visits to your town. Use videos on your cable system, motel keys with info and very inexpensive ezines to let people know why they should come, visit and stay.

Downtowns - They are going through resurgence with the upstairs being fixed up into apartments and condos. Having people living in the downtown area encourages more restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc. That in turn encourages more to live downtown and the cycle continues upward. Oxford, Mississippi, is the best I've seen.

Mentoring - Two models stick out for me. One that I saw in Carroll, Iowa, has developed a mentoring program for their college students, pairing them up with local jobs and CEOs during the summer. The other is aimed toward at-risk grade schoolers, putting local volunteers in one-on-one mentoring. We're up to 130 mentors in Effingham.

Downtown Signs - You can't have enough signs that show visitors how to get to your downtown. If they can't find it, how are they going to shop there? Jackson, Michigan, has the best I've seen. From every direction signs route visitors to the downtown area.

Angel Investor Network - Local banks can help to provide most of the start-up funds for new businesses, but having an angel investor network provide the equity to help get the new entrepreneurs into operation.

Pre-nursing course offered in two locations

2009-01-05T16:59:00.006-06:00

Interested in a nursing or healthcare career but need to increase your skills and knowledge before registering for an academic program? Then this MSCTC- and Adult Basic Education-developed pre-nursing course is just for you. It will help you:

develop academic and personal skills for succeeding in nursing and other college courses;
know career options, expectations and tasks of professional nurses; and
demonstrate knowledge of nursing vocabulary, skills and ethics.

The course will be offered in both Detroit Lakes and Fergus Falls. Classes begin in February and run through May.

Learn about the Detroit Lakes pre-nursing course.

Learn about the Fergus Falls pre-nursing course.

TV show examines the infrastructure crisis underneath our feet

2009-01-02T12:07:00.002-06:00

Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure explores the looming crisis underneath our feet and how 10 cities and towns are trying to meet the challenges. While the public takes system reliability for granted, cities must find the funds to rebuild eroding systems, separate sewer and stormwater flows, and protect the watershed. Industry and environmental experts, government officials, front-line water workers and citizens reveal how their communities are working to ensure the viability of water infrastructure assets.

See Liquid Assets on Sunday, Jan. 4 at 3:30 p.m. on Pioneer Public Television. If you get Twin Cities Public Television's Channel 17, you can watch it on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m.

Want to learn more? View the trailer.

Read what WCI is doing about aging water infrastructure.

Wishes revisited: what came true in 2008

2008-12-31T09:50:00.014-06:00

The West Central Blogger thought it would be fun to look back at this past January and the 2008 wishes for west central Minnesota made by WCI staff and folks from around the region. It was good to see that some of these wishes came true or strides were made.

Marsha Erickson, WCI program assistant, wished for "access for young children, whether is be for dental care, mental health care or finding a loving place to call home." Since January, the Early Childhood Dental Network and Apple Tree Dental's mobile dental outreach clinics have expanded to all of the counties in west central Minnesota, and plans are being made for a permanent Apple Tree Dental clinic in Fergus Falls. Also, this year four counties have initiatived early childhood mental health coalitions with the help of WCI and the Early Childhood Initiative.

Marsha also hoped for a strong winter tourism season to boost the local economy. With December's record snowfall, local motorsports stores are reporting record sales. It could be Winter 2009 will be a banner season for snow-related activities.

Nancy Straw, WCI president, wished that communities in west central Minnesota take steps toward becoming recognized as one of the most environmentally green areas in the U.S. In 2008, the Otter Tail Ag Enterprise's ethanot plant came online. The University of Minnesota Morris's biomass gasification facility has been built and is being tested. Barnesville was chosen as a "green leader" by the League of Minnesota Cities. Some initiatives that took off in 2008 included the Bag Lady Project and Savetimes3.

Nancy also hoped an Italian restaurant would open in Fergus Falls. That dream became a reality with the opening of Bello Cucina this past fall!

Sheri Holm, WCI communications director, wished that the redesign of WCI's Web site would be complete and that an online social network for west central Minnesota communities would be launched. While that didn't happen in 2008, both of these things will become reality in January of 2009! Stay tuned!

Now, dear readers, what are your wishes for 2009?

Some virtual Yuletide cheer for you and yours

2008-12-24T08:30:00.002-06:00

Every year our coworker Kathy takes a week off in December to do some serious Christmas baking. The WCI staff eagerly await the following week when platters of delectable goodies appear--and then quickly disappear as we gobble them up! These cookies and breads are but a distant, delicious memory now, but we offer up this virtual bounty to you in the seasonal spirit of giving. And just think, no calories!

Each of us at WCI has our favorites. What's yours?

They've got school spirit--and the fervor to raise funds

2008-12-22T11:17:00.004-06:00

A couple of community groups are working hard to help make up their school districts' projected budget shortfalls by using WCI component funds.

The 549 Family Foundation launched its "More Than Nothing" campaign in support of the District 549 Perham-Dent School system. It encourages local families, businesses and organizations and 549 alumni to make a voluntary donation to the school district. Take a look at the foundation's many fundraising ideas.

Pelican Rapids school alumni are banding together to create a new component fund for their own fundraising campaign. The alums are contacting all graduates from the past 50 years to ask for their support. For more information about donating to the Pelican Rapids School Fund, contact Kim at WCI at 800 735-2239, or kim@wciforg.

Nonprofit Leaders: Start New Year out right (and smart) with Nonprofit Leadership Institute

2008-12-19T08:37:00.007-06:00

Nonprofit leaders: in these troubled economic times, you and your organization are being called to lead. You're likely being asked to do more with less; and you're wondering how to work smarter, not harder. To help you in this effort, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits invites you to participate in the 2009 senior manager cohort of the Nonprofit Leadership Institute.

The deadline for the institute is Friday, January 9. Scholarships are available for tuition and participants from Greater Minnesota may also be eligible for travel reimbursement . Learn more about growing your leadership with MCN and apply today!

P.S. Want to enable your staff to grow their leadership, too? MCN also hosts a Nonprofit Leadership Institute for strategic connectors - staff that connect your organization to your clients, donors, funders, volunteers and allies. Learn more about the strategic Connector cohort today. An informatonal Webinar for strategic connectors will be held on January 14, and applications are due Friday, February 13.

Sponsorship encourages female students/grads to attend WINDPOWER conference

2008-12-12T10:09:00.005-06:00

Each year, Women of Wind Energy awards a number of sponsorships to female students or recent graduates to attend the annual American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) WINDPOWER Conference and Exhibition.

The Rudd Mayer Memorial Sponsorship program encourages the participation of women, particularly students and recent graduates, to attend the WINDPOWER 2009 conference, with the ultimate goal of increasing their knowledge and participation in the many areas of the wind energy industry. The conference offers the recipients the opportunity to attend seminars on current wind energy issues, see exhibits on state-of-the-art technology, meet distinguished women professionals working in wind energy, and talk with leading employers offering internships or permanent positions.

The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 27, 2009. Read more and download application.

“FastTRAC” to healthcare careers now available for CNAs

2008-12-12T08:45:00.004-06:00

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in west central Minnesota who are interested in advancing their healthcare careers but want to be better prepared for the academic coursework now have help through a new program.

The West Central Minnesota FastTRAC (Training, Resources and Credentialing) program will offer a pre-nursing course at two sites: Minnesota State Community and Technical College (MSCTC)—Detroit Lakes and MSCTC—Fergus Falls. The class is for individuals who have completed the CNA or pre-CNA training and want to prepare to enter more advanced college credit healthcare programs. Classes begin in February.

This course was developed jointly by MSCTC and Adult Basic Education (ABE) with input from local healthcare providers. The training targets those entering nursing or other classes, and includes units in reading, writing and math, as well as instruction in college readiness and workplace "soft" skills.

FastTRAC is funded by The Joyce Foundation, the Office of the Chancellor, the Minnesota Department of Education-ABE, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

If you would like to learn more about the pre-healthcare course or West Central Minnesota FastTRAC, please email Judy Suiter, Fergus Falls ABE Coordinator, or call her at 218-998-0544, ext. 1602.

Keep holidays simple for younger children

2008-12-12T08:00:00.000-06:00

We all love to see the wonder and excitement in children’s eyes during the holidays, but often little kids can get as wound up as the toys they receive. Preschool education writer Rachel Lister compiled this list of tips to keep this special season sane for both young children and their families:

Focus on family activities. Most preschoolers love the gift of time more than anything else. Enjoy the season by planning simple activities that take time, like decorating the Christmas tree and making cookies. Let toddlers hang ornaments and play with cookie dough. It’s about taking pleasure in each other’s company in an unhurried fashion.
Limit gift giving. Gifts are great, but for preschoolers they can sometimes be too much of a good thing. Young children are big on instant gratification. They want to play with their new toy right away. Giving them too many can make them frustrated and lose interest in the whole gift-giving process. Try to limit the amount or space out the gift giving so it doesn’t become overwhelming for them.
Decorate your home for the holidays. Little children have a limited sense of time passing. Decorating for the holidays helps them understand they’re entering into a new season. Preschoolers love decorating and it can become a valuable and much-loved family tradition.
Lower your own stress level. When family members are stressed, little children can feel it acutely. Slowing down and scheduling less for the holidays helps toddlers and parents alike enjoy the season more.