Advance Thief River and NWRDC have been selected to recieve a national impact award for their Thrive in Thief River project.
The two organizations teamed with University of Minnesota Extension, Department of Community Development and EAPC Architects to develop Thrive in Thief River funded by Age Friendly Minnesota (AFMN). Thief River Falls and Pennington County are at an important moment of transition. Like many rural communities across Minnesota, the region is experiencing demographic shifts driven by an aging population, evolving housing preferences, and changing market conditions. The purpose of this project is to create a clear, shared strategic framework to guide future decisions related to housing for residents age 55 and older. The plan identifies community priorities, housing preferences, and guiding principles that can inform local policy, partnerships, funding strategies, and future development discussions.
Presented annually, the NADO Impact Awards honor regional development organizations and their partners for strengthening communities, building regional resilience, and enhancing local economies through creative approaches to economic and community development. NADO is a Washington, DC-based membership association of regional development organizations that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies.
This year’s cohort included 94 impactful projects led by 58 organizations across 20 states. These award-winning efforts will be recognized during NADO’s 2026 Annual Training Conference, to be held this coming October in Reno, Nevada. All selected projects are featured in an interactive StoryMap that showcases summaries, images, and key partners. The map is available at https://www.nado.org/2026-impact-award-recipients/.
“Each year, the Impact Awards celebrate the remarkable work being done by regional development organizations to strengthen communities and improve quality of life,” said 2025-2026 NADO President Matthew Dolge, Executive Director of the Piedmont Triad Regional Council in North Carolina. “This year’s honorees demonstrate how strategic leadership, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to progress can create meaningful and lasting benefits across the country.”
Michelle Landsverk, Advance Thief River Executive Director stated, “we are incredibly honored by this award, but even more importantly, we hope that the Thrive in Thief River project is a strong catalyst for development of older adult housing in this community.”
The Impact Awards are presented in memory of Aliceann Wohlbruck, NADO’s first executive director, who was a lifelong advocate for regional solutions and rural economic development.
For more information, contact Michelle Landsverk at 218-280-1755 or mlandsverk@advancethiefriver.com.
About NADO
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) promotes public policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through the regional strategies, coordination efforts, and program expertise of the nation’s regional development organizations. Learn more about NADO at www.nado.org.
