An open letter to you – celebrating our 40 years together
As we gather to mark our 40th anniversary, we are celebrating four decades of community strength—and we are writing to thank you, because you are the ones who made it possible.
Our strength is in connecting people, places, and possibilities.
As a force and resource for Northwest Minnesota, we champion ideas that stabilize and strengthen communities.
Let’s learn more about one another so we can all do better together.

As we gather to mark our 40th anniversary, we are celebrating four decades of community strength—and we are writing to thank you, because you are the ones who made it possible.

The Polk County Fairgrounds had long been part of the community's story. But time had left its mark. Together, the community raised enough funds to build a new year-round event center at the Polk County Fairgrounds.

Fred Madsen did not grow up in Bemidji, nor did he attend school or begin building his career there. His connection began much more simply — with love.
