News and Stories
Business and Economic Development
Child Care Business Health Matters to Thief River Falls’ Economy
New findings from First Children’s Finance highlight the importance of child care business health and the implications for local economies. Learn why sustainable child care matters to Thief River Falls families, employers, and workforce growth—and how understanding providers’ challenges can help guide community partnerships and support lasting local economic vitality.
Manufacturers’ Breakfast Scheduled for October 27
Celebrate our area manufacturers at the free Manufacturers’ Breakfast October 29 at DigiKey from 8:30–10:00 a.m. Hear Neil Linscheid discuss attracting and retaining residents in “A Place to Come. A Reason to Stay.” Tours follow breakfast. Registration is highly encouraged to expedite check-in. Join us in appreciating manufacturing’s vital economic contributions.
Building a Business Through His Lens
Join TREK October 6 to hear Chad Donarski, owner of Impact Photography. Discover how he’s building a business through his lens, emphasizing quality, creativity, and client relationships. Connect with entrepreneurs and fellow community members from 8:30–9:30 a.m. at 102 Main Ave N in Thief River Falls. People interested in business or entrepreneurship are encourage to attend.
Community & Workforce
Looking Back on Welcoming Week and Building a Local Culture of Welcoming
Welcoming Week brought Thief River Falls residents together for concerts, tours, storytelling, and other community events. Organizations hosted activities that connected newcomers and longtime residents, highlighting the role everyone plays in building belonging and supporting workforce recruitment and retention throughout Pennington County. The celebration emphasized welcoming as a shared responsibility.
Welcoming Week Brings Community Together September 12-19
Celebrate Welcoming Week in Thief River Falls September 12–19, 2026. Enjoy live music, local shopping, a historic walking tour, community open houses, and behind-the-scenes tours of Arctic Cat, DigiKey, and Northland Community & Technical College. Everyone is invited to connect, explore, and discover what makes our community feel like home.
Welcoming Week September 12-19
Celebrate Welcoming Week in Thief River Falls, Sept. 12–19. Join us for a week of celebrating the people, cultures, and connections that make the Thief River Falls area a welcoming place to live, work, and call home. Whether you’ve lived here your whole life, or just arrived, Welcoming Week is a chance to meet neighbors, learn about different cultures, and help build a stronger community together.
Advance Thief River Updates
Nonprofit Training Event September 10
Join other area nonprofit staff and board members for this free nonprofit training event hosted by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. This free Minnesota Council of Nonprofits nonprofit training event features practical board governance training, insights on the state of the nonprofit sector, networking, conversation and a meal. Nonprofit staff, board members and volunteers are welcome.
Advance Thief River to Receive National Impact Award
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...
Thrive in Thief River Strategic Plan Rollout
Join us April 9 from 12–1:30 PM at Northland Community and Technical College for the public rollout of the new Strategic Plan. Discover key priorities, long-term goals, and actionable strategies shaping the community’s future. Connect with local leaders, partners, and residents as we move from planning to implementation and build momentum for sustainable growth.
Contact Advance Thief River
Contact Michelle Landsverk, Executive Director of Advance Thief River with specific questions or to set up a meeting to discuss your needs.
Advance Thief River
Mailing Address
PO Box 773
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Office
By Appointment Only
Spark Hub
(Inside Garden Valley Building)
1412 3rd Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(c) 2026 Advance Thief River. All rights reserved.