In Service to the Greater Bemidji Region: Laying the Foundation for Growth and Development

March 2026
Dave Hengel
Executive Director

As we celebrate 40 years of service to the Greater Bemidji region, we at Greater Bemidji find ourselves at a pivotal moment. Economic development is no longer as simple as offering cheap land and waiting for the phone to ring. Today’s landscape is complex, requiring a proactive approach to the “essential building blocks” of prosperity: childcare, housing, a workforce ready for the future, and an exceptional quality of life.

We recently completed our 2025 Annual Report of progress.  The CliffsNotes version of the report: (1) our region continues to grow in a slow, steady pace; (2) the result of Greater Bemidji’s work is clear and meaningful; (3) As an organization, Greater Bemidji is strong, focused, and backed by solid trust from our local and state partners; and (4) We are committed to a plan of action that serves our region well.

A Growing Economic Engine

The numbers tell a great story. Our region’s economic growth continues to be strong and steady. Over the last decade, our real GDP grew by 21.7%, adding $866 million to our economy. Real per capita income has increased over 18%. We have added nearly 1,500 workers in the workforce and created nearly 1,600 new jobs. Nationally, Bemidji’s economy is now ranked 114th out of 543 micropolitans.

We still face challenges. The number of unemployed in our region is still high and our poverty rate is still about the state and national averages. We have both a workforce housing and childcare shortage that is an obstacle to growth. But we are meeting these challenges head-on by investing in initiatives that help make this region work.

2025: A Year of Tangible Impact

In 2025, Greater Bemidji’s efforts touched every corner of our business community:

• Small Business Support: We aided 164 businesses, provided over 2,000 hours of technical assistance, and helped local firms access $3.3 million in capital. Notably, over 60% of these businesses were women, BIPOC, or veteran owned.
• Entrepreneurship: Our LaunchPad supported 36 members monthly and aided in the startup of 41 new businesses in the region.
• Placemaking: We funded three new childcare centers (one in Bemidji and two in Red Lake) and led efforts to redevelop the rail corridor downtown, including the construction of the region’s first YMCA.
• Workforce Development: Our Training Center – the Minnesota Innovation Initiative – partnered with 46 companies to train 170 workers, while our 218 Relocate initiative welcomed 17 new families to the area.

What’s Next for 2026?

We aren’t slowing down. As we look toward 2026, our strategy is clear: we will do whatever it takes to move this region forward.

• Empowering Local Business – We will serve as the regional hub for the Northwest Small Business Development Center and re-engage our “Grow Bemidji” business retention and expansion initiative with the Bemidji Chamber. By providing flexible financing and access to state and federal incentives, we will ensure our local companies have the “fuel” they need to expand.
• Cultivating Innovation- Through the Headwaters Angel Network, we will provide entrepreneurs with the risk capital necessary to turn big ideas into local jobs. The LaunchPad will remain a “one-stop-shop” for every dreamer and doer in our community.
• Strategic Infrastructure & Promotion – Infrastructure is the backbone of growth. We are pursuing the construction of a regional rail spur and developing a strategy to aggressively expand our manufacturing sector. Furthermore, we are actively engaged in the Minnesota Sustainable Aviation Fuel Hub, looking to use our region’s woody biomass to put Bemidji at the forefront of green energy.
• Quality of Life – Economic growth is meaningless if people don’t want to live here. We remain committed to fully developing the YMCA and Rail Corridor, increasing workforce housing options, and creating a community where families can thrive for generations.

The Strength of Our Partnership

To be clear, this isn’t a solo act—our success comes directly from the shared commitment and financial support of our local community. Together, we’re proving that Bemidji is Minnesota’s emerging regional center.

To everyone in our corner: thank you. We are better equipped than ever to drive growth and prosperity. Let’s keep building a region we’re all proud to call home.