Regional economies in motion: new data tools for understanding regional connections

Rural communities are often described as being “in the middle of nowhere,” but modern life tells a different story. Most Minnesotans live, work and shop across a wide region that extends beyond local boundaries. Yet many community economic development planning efforts still rely on data tied to cities, counties, or other administrative borders.

This webinar explores how traditional data, combined with emerging mobile data such as Placer.ai, can help communities better understand regional movement patterns and connections. Featuring a rural Minnesota county case study, the session will demonstrate how more regionally informed data can strengthen economic development strategies and planning decisions.
 

Our presenters

About the presenters

Ben Winchester has been working both in and for small towns across the Midwest for around 30 years. He lives in St. Cloud, Minnesota with his wife and two children. Ben is trained as a rural sociologist and works in the Department of Community Development at University of Minnesota Extension. He conducts applied research on economic, social, and demographic topics surrounding a theme of “rewriting the rural narrative” and received the Rural Renewal Research Prize in 2021 for this work.

DeeDee LeMier is an Extension educator specializing in community economics, agritourism, and sustainable tourism development in rural areas. DeeDee leverages mobile data and cross-sector partnerships to develop resources and workshops that serve the unique needs of highly seasonal tourism economies. Her work not only contributes to the economic vitality of small communities but also strengthens the bonds among residents and celebrates the distinctive local culture. DeeDee holds a master of business administration degree and a bachelor of arts degree in communication studies from Hamline University.

Hope Williams is the new economic development director for the City of Detroit Lakes. She previously served as executive director of the Economic Alliance serving Wadena County, where she led initiatives focused on business startup, retention, and expansion, community development, and regional collaboration. Hope holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master of business administration, bringing a strong blend of strategic, financial, and community-focused leadership to Detroit Lakes economic development efforts.