News and Stories
Business and Economic Development
United For Our Community
JC Castillon of Genesis Lawn and Snow and Sam Lemky of Falls Pressure Washing return to TREK November 3 to share United for Our Community. Learn how these local entrepreneurs are teaming up to support a different nonprofit each month, giving back and inspiring others to strengthen the community together.
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.
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
Theater Solo: An Evening of Laughter, Connection, and Community
No plus-one? No problem! TRFACT and Advance Thief River introduce Theater Solo on November 19, a special evening combining live comedy, a pre-show social, reserved seating, and new connections. For $20, enjoy a fun night out while meeting fellow theatergoers and celebrating local talent in Thief River Falls.
Child Care Grants Available
Advance Thief River is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity for licensed family child care providers in Pennington County and within the boundaries of ISD 564. A total of $12,500 in grant funding is available, with individual awards anticipated to average $1,250. The maximum grant amount per provider is $2,500.
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.
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.