Region

We serve the west central Minnesota counties of Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin and White Earth Nation.

Our corner of Minnesota has undulating prairies in every direction, miles of fertile farmland, some flat and some on rolling hills that rise to the horizon from valleys below, and more lakes than one can imagine.

We are both stewards and beneficiaries of this stunning natural bounty and beauty. Century farms stand alongside newer, larger industrial farms. Vibrant cities grow upward and expand outward around the edges. Quintessential small towns embrace their history and heritage while determined to be open and welcoming to newcomers. Such places dot the landscape like rare jewels on a necklace, and we prize each of them as signs and symbols of progress.

The majority of our region’s 82 incorporated cities have populations under 1,000. Some towns fight to keep or have lost their grocery stores, cafes, or schools while others are passing school bonds or opening child care centers and welcoming new entrepreneurs. Competition for workers is fierce, especially in manufacturing and healthcare. Broadband access keeps newcomers connected with their old networks and connects all of us to the rest of the world economically, politically, culturally, and socially.

West Central Initiative Service Area Map