Northwest Minnesota Foundation - IMPACT 20/20 members spend day at Capitol

Pictured left to right are Tim Flathers, Missy Okeson, Nancy Vyskocil, Mike St. Onge, Karen White, and Craig Nathan. Not Pictured: Dennis Bona, Cam Fanfulik, Dan King, Kristine Anderson, Mark Finstad, Pete Haddeland, Robert Hager, Faith Hensrud, Mary Holz-Clause, Bruce Jensen, Michelle Landsverk, Jon Linnell, Jorge Prince, Edie Ramstad, Richard Sjoberg, Dan Wenner, and Delore Zimmerman.

Submitted | Crookston Times
Posted Mar 14, 2018 at 11:04 AM

Members of IMPACT 20/20 recently spent the day at the State Capitol engaging law makers about the issues impacting economic prosperity and growth in Northwest Minnesota.

IMPACT 20/20 is an influential group of Northwest Minnesota leaders representing diverse interests and working together for the region’s economic success. Established in 2008, IMPACT 20/20 members have worked collaboratively to improve economic conditions in the region by focusing on four key areas: education, workforce, broadband, and housing.

The goal of the visit was to highlight issues in these key areas and offer legislative solutions to help grow the economy of Northwest Minnesota.

IMPACT 20/20 raised awareness and discussed policy statements around access to high speed broadband and its importance in rural communities, the critical shortage of child care in our region and the impact it is having on families and employers, ideas to spur workforce and affordable housing projects in our region, and ideas to provide better access to career advising for our region’s high school students.

“The IMPACT 20/20 members had a very productive day speaking with the region’s representatives, senators and chairs of sub-committees,” explained Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s Vice President for Programs, Karen White. “It’s important we raise awareness and offer legislative solutions that will help our region grow.”

For more information about IMPACT 20/20′s policy initiatives, you can request a copy of the 2018 Economic Priorities booklet that was provided to legislators by contacting Kari at karic@nwmf.org or calling 218-759-2057. The booklet may also be accessed online via the link that can be found on the Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s homepage nwmf.org.