Regional Sustainability Project Regional Sustainability Project Planning in MinnesotaPlanning in Minnesota

A presentation prepared for the

American Planning Association Conference

Bloomington, MN April 25, 2009

by Deborah McLaren

RBR Communications, Inc.

Examples from White EarthExamples from White Earth Indian Reservation Indian Reservation

Description of White Earth and their internal assets/economic engines

Journeys with First Nations

AEO’s Regional Flavors

White Earth StatisticsWhite Earth Statistics

The White Earth Reservation is in an area of especially severe continuous unemployment.

– MN Indian Affairs

Per capita income: $4,917

Total unemployment: 24.8%

Total labor force: 765

White Earth Resources/AssetsWhite Earth Resources/Assets

Food Culture Land Wildlife People History

Traditional Anishinaabeg FoodsTraditional Anishinaabeg Foods

* beef * bison meat / products * chicken * duck * game birds * goose * maple syrup * pork

* sausage * specialty meats * turkey * venison * wild game * wild rice

Beautiful skies: sunsets and Beautiful skies: sunsets and northern lightsnorthern lights

Cross-country skiingCross-country skiing

Traditional cultural activitiesTraditional cultural activities

Journeys with First NationsJourneys with First Nations

A “Green Routes” buy-local tourism project

Renewing the Countryside

Launched September 6, 2008

Journeys GoalsJourneys Goals

Strengthen rural sustainability strategiesPromote/Preserve First NationsSupport locally-owned sustainable

businesses, organizations and eventsEducate travelers about opportunities to

support locally-owned green businesses

Description of RTCDescription of RTC

Renewing the Countryside (RTC) strengthens rural areas by championing and supporting rural communities, farmers, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, activists and other people who are renewing the countryside through sustainable and innovative initiatives, businesses, and projects.

www.Renewing the Countryside.org

2105 First Ave So., Minneapolis MN 55404 1-866-0587

FOR MORE INFO...

“Journeys” is based on a highly successful Green Routes program

Sustainable model has been implemented in seven regions Utilizes an integrated business approach (relies on other

local sustainable efforts such as farming, forestry, fisheries and even architecture)

Attracts visitors who can invest directly into the local economy through the arts, heritage, history, food and other small businesses.

www.GreenRoutes.org

FOR MORE INFO...

Long-term goalsLong-term goals

Duplicate the Journeys model in partnership with additional tribal communities and councils.

Develop a volunteer mentor program to provide support to businesses, organizations and events that need assistance fulfilling the terms of the Journeys Sustainable Destination Agreement.

Continue to support capacity building in the regions and networking between regional projects.

Association for Economic Opportunity Association for Economic Opportunity

(AEO) (AEO) Regional FlavorsRegional Flavors at White Earth at White Earth

Why Regional Flavor? As many rural communities experience a ‘loss of power’ in their traditional economic engines (manufacturing, resource extraction, etc), this project offers new hope and opportunity.

Microenterprise Employment Statistics in Minnesota

County Microbusiness Percent of Total PrivateEmployment4 County - Non-farm

Employment

Becker 4,363 18.5% 23,525Clearwater 1,133 23.7% 4,773Mahnomen 492 15.5% 3,177

- Association for Economic Opportunity

OverviewOverview

Utilizing collaborative efforts to implement a mix of rural economic development strategies that incorporate microenterprise development, regional tourism, cultural and historic assets, and agricultural product development, the Regional Flavor approach supports these entities and entrepreneurs in working together to rethink, redefine, and rebrand themselves and their regions.

Six “cluster” sites in the USSix “cluster” sites in the US

AEO has assembled six learning clusters, where organizations that are working to harness the power of rural tourism to drive economic development come together, share their efforts and establish a wealth of information and ideas to advance rural areas.

These efforts range from the Food We Love program of the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet) (www.acenetworks.org) in Athens, Ohio

To the To the Arkansas Delta Rural Heritage Development Arkansas Delta Rural Heritage Development InitiativeInitiative (www.arkansasdelta.net) which highlights the ties (www.arkansasdelta.net) which highlights the ties

between soil and soul in the history of the Mississippi Deltabetween soil and soul in the history of the Mississippi Delta..

The common thread in this work is an appreciation of rural areas and helping rural residents recognize the value of their assets, whether they are historical, geographical or cultural. The process also encourages collaboration.

Preserve and Protect Food AssetsPreserve and Protect Food Assets

Preserve and Protect SugarbushPreserve and Protect Sugarbush

Preserve and Protect Cultural Preserve and Protect Cultural AssetsAssets

Becker County Historical Society

Mingwigiji Café - a showplace Mingwigiji Café - a showplace and community gathering spotand community gathering spot

Preserve and Protect Historical Preserve and Protect Historical AssetsAssets

Internal Assets, Planning, Internal Assets, Planning, Partnerships = Preservation and Partnerships = Preservation and Strengthening a Traditional Strengthening a Traditional EconomyEconomy

Thank you. For more info:Thank you. For more info:

Deborah McLaren, ConsultantSustainable Tourism and Regional DevelopmentRBR Communications, Inc.1873 Iglehart AvenueSaint Paul, MN 55104Cell 651-983-9880 E-mail: Deborah@mm.com