Tourism is a big deal for Minnesota, especially Greater Minnesota, where visitors come for the great outdoors and small-town ease. This week on Rural MN Radio, Jim and Marnie talk about tourism in the state and an upcoming infographic on tourism from the Center.

Talking tourism

The smaller population in rural areas doesn’t make infrastructure any less necessary, especially when it comes to roads. This week on Rural MN Radio, Jim and Marnie talk with Tim Houle, CRPD board chair and Crow Wing County administrator, on the ins and outs of funding for roads.

Paying for roads

It’s that time of year again, time for Farm Fest at the Gilfillan Estate outside of Redwood Falls. Farm Fest runs Aug. 5-7, 2014, and Samantha Castro with IDEAg Group, Farm Fest’s management company, tells us why we love it so.

Farm Fest 2014

On Rural MN Radio this week, we continue our discussion with Dave Ladd of RDL Associates about the importance of thinking creatively to innovate in economic development. Part of that includes thinking regionally, bringing together communities, businesses and governments across a much larger area than we usually do to glean new, creative ideas and better economies of scale.

Dave Ladd: More thinking regionally

Minnesota’s whole economy is best served by thinking beyond the cookie cutter approach, says Dave Ladd of RDL Associates. Dave talks with Jim this week about why we should be thinking about the economy by region and beyond the standard industry silos.

Dave Ladd: Thinking regionally

Contributing to a community foundation doesn’t require a lot of time or commitment. This week on Rural MN Radio, Jim continues his conversation with Nancy Zallek of the Mankato Area Foundation, talking about the flexibility of community foundations, not only in where they give their money, but where they get it from, too. People don’t need to give a ton to make it add up for the community.

Community foundations, pt 2