Thrive in Thief River Strategic Plan

By Michelle Landsverk

Thank you to everyone who joined us on April 9 at Northland Community and Technical College for the public reveal of the Thrive in Thief River: 55+ Housing Strategic Plan. With strong community participation and regional collaboration, the strategic plan has now been completed and finalized.

This milestone represents an important transition—from planning to the early stages of implementation—as the community begins exploring next steps and opportunities identified in the plan.

More About Thrive in Thief River

A Community-Driven Initiative Funded by Age-Friendly Minnesota

🔍 What Was This About?

Advance Thief River led a community-driven process to develop a Strategic Housing Plan focused on residents aged 55 and older. With support from Age-Friendly Minnesota and research expertise from University of Minnesota Extension, the project explored how to support aging in place, expand housing options, and strengthen the local economy.

🏠 Why It Matters

As our population ages, the need for thoughtful, forward-looking housing becomes increasingly important. This plan provides a framework to:

• Expand life cycle housing options

• Support aging in place

• Strengthen community connections

• Enhance long-term economic vitality

The result is a shared vision for a community where residents can remain active, engaged, and supported at every stage of life.

📊 What We Did

This strategic plan was shaped through extensive community engagement and research, including:

• Community forums and public meetings

• Focus groups and listening sessions

• Grassroots outreach and stakeholder engagement

• Data analysis and housing research led by UMN Extension

Community members, local leaders, and regional partners contributed their perspectives to help inform the plan’s direction.

🚀 What Happens Next

With the plan now complete, the focus shifts to how ideas and strategies may be considered and advanced over time by local stakeholders, developers, and community partners.

Implementation will depend on a variety of factors, including interest from developers, availability of resources, and alignment with local priorities. The plan serves as a guide and resource to support those future decisions.

👥 Who Was Involved?

This effort brought together a wide range of community voices, including:

• Elected officials and city staff

• Developers, builders, and property owners

• Residents aged 55+ and their families

• Community and faith-based organizations

• Healthcare providers

• Business and economic leaders

This broad participation helped ensure the plan reflects community perspectives and priorities.

📬 Stay Connected

While the planning phase is complete, future updates or related opportunities may be shared here as they arise.

Resources and Reference Documents

• September 3, 2025 Slide Deck (Ben Winchester)
• October 7 & 8, 2025, Focus Group Report