Students gather to watch a play. A character on stage struggles with what to do with an empty plastic bottle. Should it go in the recycling bin? Or the trash? Can it be reused? For the students watching, the answer might seem obvious. But that moment offers something more than a reminder about recycling. It…
When West Central Initiative began making business loans 40 years ago, the goal wasn’t simply to finance equipment or fill funding gaps. It was to invest in people, strengthen communities, and help businesses create good jobs that would last for generations. One of those early investments was Wilkens Industries in Morris. Nearly four decades later,…
How Justin Neppl Reimagined a Community Landmark in Breckenridge Justin Neppl’s days move fast. When he isn’t helping manage his and his wife’s child-care business, he’s coaching hockey or shuttling kids to hockey, baseball, or volleyball—and keeping track of another child in college. It’s a full life built around family, community, and showing up when people need you. That same mindset led Justin to one…
Looking back on Welcoming Week 2025, numbers can help paint a picture. Communities held events in every county in West Central Initiative’s region. Hundreds gathered on farms, at street fairs, in libraries, community spaces, and schools. Events revolved around food sampling, exhibitions, art, meals, and demonstrations. Collaborators ranged from towns, schools, nonprofits, and private businesses….
Caliton Ntahompagaze loves eating the African eggplant varieties he remembers from his youth. So in 2007, when Caliton and his wife Honoree moved to Fargo, African eggplant would be on the menu. Or would it? Alas, fresh African eggplant was nowhere to be found. Not in farmers markets, not in the grocery produce aisle. Eventually,…
For those who work from home, making meaningful connections in both the community and workplace might be challenging. Virtual connections just don’t work for everyone. In Alexandria, Danielle Thompson wanted to connect with her community. But as a remote worker for a national company, she missed the interactions of a local office. Think of hallway…
Ramadan is the holy month of fasting, prayer, and community for Muslims. This year, Ramadan and Lent coincided. So, we took the opportunity to learn more about the Muslim faith and Ramadan through the experiences and words of our Muslim neighbors. In Moorhead, three community organizers welcomed our inquiries about Ramadan: Fowzia Adde, Executive Director…
Victoria McWane-Creek, founder and CEO of Organization 4 Full Participation, is the go-to consultant when it comes to teamwork, collaboration, and increasing effectiveness within organizations and businesses. McWane-Creek, an entrepreneur who calls Fergus Falls home, has worked with local, state, and regional companies like Essentia Health and Great Plains Food Bank to create workplace environments…
Kim Konikow was looking for a new home. In Bismarck, she truly enjoyed her job with the state arts council but was looking to semi-retire and wanted a new forever place, a change of scene. Minnesota was among the handful of states that offered that retirement intrigue. Kim had grown up in Detroit, and while…
Schools and colleges in west central Minnesota provide a multitude of learning opportunities. One of those is the “last classroom of the day”–organized sports. Researchers note that both playing and watching sports competitions provide opportunities for social interaction and help forge a sense of belonging, which, in turn, can mitigate loneliness and boost levels of…
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