Alexandria area launches community stewardship program

excerpted from the Echo Press, 4-11-08

The Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission (AAEDC) hopes that a community stewardship program similar to Bemidji Leads! will help develop and define the area's direction. The program will be administered by the Center for Community Stewardship of Bemidji. The AAEDC received a $20,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation as well as funding from West Central Initiative to implement the study locally.

The AAEDC will initially support and staff the program with the plan of it becoming a community venture. For more information on the program and how to get involved, contact Jason Murray, (320) 763-4545 or log onto http://www.stewardacademy.com/.

New strategy for businesses: Uniting as a region

excerpted from the Alexandria Echo Press, 3-19-08

Osakis and Alexandria shouldn't view themselves as competitors for new businesses. And other communities in the county, such as Miltona, Carlos and Brandon, shouldn't think of themselves as "islands" all competing for the same prize. Instead, they should be working together as a regional center to draw new businesesses and industries here instead of losing them to Fargo, Minneapolis or another part of the country.

that was the message behind the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission's presentation at the Osakis Community Center March 12.

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