Headwaters Regional Development Commission

06/01/2026

📣 Community Input Wanted!

Headwaters Regional Development is partnering with MnDOT, the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, and the Northwest Regional Development Commission to update the Waters of the Dancing Sky Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan.

We’re inviting community members to share their thoughts and ideas! Join us for an open house:
📅 June 17
🕐 1:00 – 4:00 PM
📍 New Moon, Baudette

Can’t make it? No problem! You can still participate by completing our survey using the QR code provided.

Have questions? Reach out to [email protected].

We hope to see you there! 🌄

05/29/2026

🌱 Fun Fact Friday 🌱
Did you know that Conifer residents have their very own community garden?

Through partnerships and grant funding, the garden was brought to life by people passionate about good food, building healthy communities, and playing in dirt! 🧤🌿

Over the last several years, our Placemaking activities have enabled residents to plant and harvest fresh, whole foods such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, carrots—and many more vegetables! 🍅🥕🥒

The garden serves as a reminder that residents all get to be a part of something impactful and meaningful. 💚

05/27/2026

The Bemidji Youth Survey is officially live—and we need your help sharing it far and wide! 🙌

This quick survey (just a few minutes!) is your chance to help shape the future of our community—because youth voices matter just as much as housing, business, and transportation decisions.

📌 Take the survey + share it with youth you know!

🗓️ Open until June 12

👉 Please check out the attached flyer or use the Qualtrics survey link Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management to get started!

💬 We’re also looking for youth interested in joining a Youth Listening & Strategy Session in mid-to-late June (with food included 🍕). This is another great way to share ideas and make an impact!

Let’s work together to make sure youth are heard, valued, and leading the way in shaping Bemidji’s future 💙

05/22/2026

🎉 Fun Fact Friday! 🚶‍♀️🚌

Did you know that 33% of households in the Headwaters region have one or fewer vehicles?

This highlights just how important it is to have strong public transit options and safe, accessible opportunities for active living, like walking and biking. 🌳🚴‍♂️

When communities invest in these options, it helps everyone stay connected to work, school, healthcare, and each other. 💙

Let’s keep building a region where everyone can get where they need to go!

05/22/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Bemidji High School open house to check out the student-built home! 🏠🔨

At HRDC, we are incredibly proud of this program and the students who take part in it 👏. Providing hands-on opportunities to learn real-life skills is something we truly value, and it’s amazing to see these young individuals bring their hard work to life ✨.

We’re also grateful for our strong partnerships with Northwest Technical College (NTC) and Bemidji High School (BHS) 🤝, which help make experiences like this possible.

Be sure to check out the video in the link below 🎥 from Lakeland PBS, highlighting the open house and this incredible program!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_CxwcS69zQ

Go Jacks!💙

05/15/2026

🌟 Fun Fact Friday! 🌟

Did you know? HRDC has established a leadership development department called Leading Together!

We’re excited to share that HRDC staff recently completed our second Women’s Leadership Retreat, which wrapped up last week at the beautiful Lodge on Lake Detroit in Detroit Lakes. It was an inspiring and energizing experience focused on growth, connection, and building leadership capacity.

If you’re interested in joining one of our leadership retreats, workshops, or one-on-one coaching opportunities, we’d love to connect!
📧 Reach out to:

Naomi Carlson – ncarls​​[email protected]
Sandy Hennum – [email protected]
💡 What You Gain Through Leading Together:

Self-leadership and clarity
Collaboration and shared language
Practical habits and tools you can use right away
Dedicated space to reset and refocus
✅ Each experience is designed to give you one clear, actionable step you can immediately put into practice.

📸 Check out this photo from our recent retreat in Detroit Lakes!
🎥 To learn more, visit the Leading Together webpage to watch our promotional video and hear testimonials from women in our communities who have participated.

05/11/2026

🔨 Come Tour a One-of-a-Kind Student-Built Home & Community Picnic! 🏡

Join us in celebrating the incredible work of the Bemidji High School Lumberjacks Construction Class! These talented students have designed and built a beautiful home from the ground up—and now it’s ready for you to see in person.

This project was made even more impactful through a partnership with Northwest Technical College, where students collaborated to install the home’s electrical, plumbing, and heating/ventilation systems, gaining valuable hands-on experience across multiple trades.

🌭 Stay and enjoy a community picnic while you tour the home!

📅 Date: May 21
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: 2029 Red Rose Dr NW, Bemidji, MN 56601

Come support local students, see their craftsmanship firsthand, and celebrate the future of the trades in our community.
We hope to see you there!

05/01/2026

🚗 Fun Fact Friday!

According to MnDOT, the Headwaters Region is home to approximately 8,270 miles of roadway—that’s a lot of ground connecting our communities!

04/24/2026

🏡 Fun Fact Friday!
Did you know HRDC offers forgivable loans to help low‑income homeowners make critical home repairs or improve accessibility?
✅ Up to $37,500 for safety, energy efficiency, or accessibility improvements
✅ Loans may be forgiven if you remain in your home for the loan term
✅ Available for single‑family homes, duplexes, condos, and manufactured housing

🛠️ These programs can help with urgent repairs or accessibility needs.

👉 Interested in learning more or being contacted?
Fill out our form here:

Owner Occupied Rehab Questionnaire Please complete this questionnaire to assist HRDC Staff in determining which program(s) you may be eligible for. The appropriate application will be mailed to you and/or…

12/29/2025

HRDC is proud to announce that we will be holding 3 days of training for community members to become a CERTified Energy Ambassadors!

Schedule 📅
January 13th: Virtual Training via ZOOM, 1-4pm
January 14th: Virtual Training via ZOOM, 1-4pm
January 15th: IN PERSON, Project Planning, 1-4pm, at HRDC Office (1320 Neilson Ave SE, Bemidji, MN)

The virtual training sessions will consist of videos, presentations, and discussions of the CERTs materials, and the final planning day will consist of discussion and planning assistance for working towards your own clean energy project!

If you are unable to make one or more of the training days, you can work on your Ambassador CERTification on your own by following the checklist available on the CERTs Ambassador website. HRDC will be available as a resource for any questions or concerns you may have.

More information and the link to register are below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PY67avcTQbuCZA8jrlb46w #/registration