Northwest Blog

The IDEA Competition announced the names of four 2013 winners on Wednesday, April 24th at the IDEA awards banquet held at the Ralph Engelstad Arena, Thief River Falls. Keynote Speaker Jorge Prince is Chief Financial Officer and part owner of LaValley Industries. LaValley Industries was a winner of the IDEA Competition in 2010 for its DECKHAND® pipe handling system, The DECKHAND®. The Bemidji-based company has since partnered with Pipeline Machinery International, CRC-Evans Pipeline International, and Vermeer Corporation to distribute the DECKHAND worldwide. Since inventing the DECKHAND, LaValley has continued to grow the product line into other markets and is now a multiple patent holder.   Following the keynote address, The IDEA Hall of Fame added Mark Larson, president and chief operating officer of Digi-Key Corporation, and Ron Stordahl, founder and chief executive officer of Digi-Key Corporation. The 2013 Winners. Bria...

              In an effort to further enhance the strong business presence in downtown Bemidji, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has established a new fund with the Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) that will offer loans up to $5,000. The mission of the revolving loan program is to assist businesses in either locating downtown or expanding their downtown business. The loans are available to any business looking to locate or expand in downtown Bemidji. “This is an excellent opportunity to increase awareness about the Downtown Development Authority and our important work,” said DDA President Ken Cobb. “We already have a great downtown, and we are always working to make it even better.  Our mission is to promote and enhance our vibrant downtown, and this loan program will encourage businesses to locate and expand here.” Loans can be used for building improvements, equipment, inventory, supplies, and working capital. The busines...

Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination The 2013 Women's History Month Lecture and Panel Presentation; "Uncovering the Past, Charting the Future: The Rise of Women in Science," will be presented at University of Minnesota Crookston Campus -  Eagle's Nest  on March 27, 2013 at 7 p.m.  The Northwest Women's Fund is sponsoring the event for anyone interested in the past, present and future of women in Science.  Keynote Address by: Sally Gregory Kohlstedt, Ph.D.  Earth Science Professor, University of Minnesota: Twin Cities. Panelists include: Rebekah Aakre, RN  Gloria Ayuck, NP Susan Bornsen, Ph.D. Pamela Elf, Ph.D Katy Smith, Ph.D Candiss O. Williams, Ph.D Vanessa Lane, Ph.D Moderator

The Bemidji Area Arts Endowment (BAAE), a component fund of Northwest Minnesota Foundation is now accepting project grant applications for its 2013 grant round. Grant applications are available at the Region 2 Arts Council office, Bemidji Community Arts Center, Headwaters School of Music & the Arts and the new Northwest Minnesota Foundation headquarters in downtown Bemidji, 201 3 rd Street NW. A copy of the grant application is also available online at www.nwmf.org . The 2013 grant deadline is April 5, 2013 .   Grants up to $1,000 may be requested. Youth orchestral string scholarships are $250. Grant recipients will be notified by May 1, 2013. Grants will be made from the following BAAE funds; H.B. & Ina T. Roholt Fund for the Arts; Richard & Pam Nelson Family Fund for the Visual Arts and the Everett Wilimek Endowment Fund for Orchestral String Studies. BAAE was established in 1998, to strengthen long-term financial viability of the Bemidji are...

201 3rd St. NW is shaping up. The new NMF Conference Center is being utilized by the region weekly. The excitement and anticipation for outside parties to book events has also been a hot topic. We are currently working to create policy and procedure regarding the new space. Please check our website, www.nwmf.org for scheduling updates. We should have a plan in place by April 1, 2013. The unveiling of the building's exterior was highly anticipated this week. The stone and brick work looks wonderful. All of the scaffolding was removed yesterday. So those working in front offices have now lost their "window treatments." No worries though- NMF Staff has been very resourceful! We do plan to host an open house in the upcoming months! So please stay tuned.....

The community of Kelliher is collaborating to improve quality of life for its citizens! And they are being recognized for their efforts. The Kelliher School and Kelliher Health and Resource Center (KHRC) have been honored with a Local Government Innovation Award (LGIA.) After the community supported a new school building, the district faced a decision regarding the fate of the old school facility. A committee was established to determine ways to repurpose the old building. After much planning, local leaders collaborated to preserve the infrastructure and develop a center that houses health care and preventive care, mental and physical therapies while providing health and information related services. Grants were written to renovate the building and a health endowment fund was established through the Northwest Minnesota Foundation to support the healthcare facility. New collaboration has been developed between the school, community and churches. A USDA grant assisted with energy ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! We have moved to our new location: 201 3rd St. NW Bemidji, MN 56601 We are thrilled to be in a location that will make NMF more visible and accessible to the region. Our conference and meeting space will add value for non profits and other partners in the area who are in need of a versatile, convenient location. We have many training opportunities beginning in January 2013. Visit our website at www.nwmf.org  --under upcoming events, to check out what NMF has to offer.