Research identifies rural transit gaps in east central Minnesota
Working with the nonprofit Lighthouse Child and Family Services, the East Central Regional Development Commission, and the East Central Regional Transportation Coordinating Council, a University of Minnesota project team researched rural transportation gaps in Kanabec and Mille Lacs counties. The effort, which included an Extension community economics specialist, stemmed from the University’s Empowering Small Minnesota Communities initiative.
Using focus groups, interviews and transit data analysis, the team identified opportunities to improve mobility for underserved residents. Their research highlighted barriers such as service hours, restricted geographic coverage and challenges in maintaining volunteer driver programs.
The study also found that existing transit services are often underused due to low public awareness and insufficient outreach. Addressing these issues will require expanding service hours and coverage areas, enhancing volunteer-driver support systems, implementing legislative reforms to facilitate cross-jurisdictional coordination, and developing innovative service models tailored to rural needs.
Highlights
- RSDP impact: With support from a CERTs Seed Grant, Regency Park Mobile Homes in Mora and Energy Efficiency Outreach created an event to educate residents about how to save money, conserve energy and water, and understand utility rebates and agency programs.
- Rebecca A., a Kanabec County 4-H’er, is a Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador who also works on projects in livestock, shooting sports and wildlife, creative writing and youth leadership.
- U of M Farm Family of the Year: Rocky Acres Ranch (2026)
- Master Gardener volunteers held a free “Fall for All” horticulture education day at Sapsucker Farms in Mora, with presenters and hands-on activities that brought in visitors from across the region.
- SuperShelf: Mora Food Pantry
- In collaboration with the Initiative Foundation, the Climate Adaptation Partnership enabled the creation of a new staff position focused on community preparedness and resiliency across the central Minnesota region.
Kanabec County office
Extension has 14 regional offices supporting all 87 counties in Minnesota.
Kanabec County partners with Extension to deliver practical education and research you can use at home, at work and in your community. More about Extension in our county.
About the Minnesota 87 project
Spend time in any Minnesota county, and you will almost certainly encounter University of Minnesota Extension. Our faculty and staff, volunteers, participants, alumni and partners are woven into the fabric of rural, urban and suburban Minnesota life. This project showcases Extension in action through photos, stories and a sampling of the many ways Extension has touched the lives of people in every county.