“May you live in interesting times” is said to be an old Chinese curse.  Certainly most of us would agree we’re living in interesting times: the stock market meltdown in October and November of this past year, the precipitous decline in economic activity, and seizure of the credit market have all led to the worst recession since World War II.  Whether as individuals or as institutions, we’ve all been subject to forces beyond our control.  Yet times of challenge can also be seen as times of opportunity.

While the Headwaters RDC has not been immune to these forces, I believe we’re positioned to not only weather the storm, but to position ourselves for a solid 2009-2010 fiscal year.  Our budget for the past year is good and our coming year budget shows healthy signs.  While the credit crunch and housing market forces are causing us and our Housing Development Corporation (HHDC) some headaches, we feel like we are up to the challenge.

Even as we face up to the challenge, we cannot ignore some of the great things going on.  Internally, we’re growing the next generation of Headwaters RDC leadership, and these newer staff give us cause for optimism.  Long-time staff have found new ways to raise the bar on performance, and we’ve been able to help our customers accomplish some special things.  More detail can be found throughout this Annual Report.

Certainly, I’d be remiss if I did not thank our Commission members.  While it may be popular in some circles to criticize governing bodies, we’re blessed with the best Board in the State.

It’s good to reflect on the Commission’s work plan toward pursuit and realization of goals such as social inclusion, livable communities and inherent prosperity.  There is great strength in the partnerships we create and perpetuate.  That strength comes from the Headwaters RDC’s constituent partners being on the same page, working together in riding the bus of progress which finds us going in the same direction pursuing a shared vision.

Ours is an aggressive vision for Northwestern Minnesota.  Aggressive visions result in remarkable outcomes.  We see the importance of the partnering between and among our subsidiary HHDC and HRA companion corporations.  We are poised to have another aggressive year.  Challenges face us.  Building capacity will be important.  But the rewards can be great for our communities.

The single ingredient that binds us all together is that of social inclusion.  Headwaters RDC’s Shared Vision program is poised to bring answers to the questions centered on building community and addressing disparity between people and the races.  We hope that Shared Vision, through its mission can be “a catalyst that energizes community to work together to expand social, economic, educational and leadership opportunity for people of all races” – that our community will be a model for race relations throughout the state as one and all embrace cultural understanding and respect between the Indian and non-Indian communities, with strong participation of Indian people in all aspects of community life – a community working together to expand opportunities for all people and all races.  We see that community success can be ours through working together.

Housing of course remains a central focus.  Even with the soft housing market in these challenging economic times, the need for affordable housing and safe shelter for our area residents remains.  Needs centering around housing for individuals, supportive housing and housing for homeless families remain.  We’re also considering an initiative whereby existing housing stock can be rehabilitated.  What sustains us is the knowledge that every success we realize sets us up for further successes.

Yet another initiative to which the Headwaters RDC has lent its support is that of the Veterans Northern Minnesota Home (VNMnH).  This important initiative recognizes and acknowledges the need to provide a continuum of service whereby Armed Forces Veteran’s housing and health needs can be met through a facility which attaches to preexisting services such as Bemidji’s Veterans Outpatient Clinic – providing services to Veterans within the geographic vastness of northern Minnesota in a multi-county region within which more than 32,000 underserved or unserved have been identified.  This is opposed to veterans having to go to facilities three, four or five hours away from Bemidji alone.  As well, high emphasis is placed on the support which comes from American Indian Armed Forces Veterans from the great American Indian reservations of Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth.  VNMnH will build off the Minnesota Governor’s long-term model for veterans health care.  This is a “beyond the walls” concept in keeping veterans in-home and in-community with preplanned professional care and coordination and alternatives to institutional care.  Partnerships with federal, state, tribal and local resources in creating a “center of excellence” for chronic disease management, nursing and rehabilitation in-facility is seen.  Cultural diversity will be an important part of all program offerings.

Bring on the coming year!

From the Executive Director - Cliff Tweedale

Wow! What a year! As our Chair mentioned in his letter, external forces have given all of us quite a ride over the last 6-8 months.  While we feel good about how we’re weathering the storm, we also know, as the saying goes, that “you’re most in trouble when you think you’re doing pretty good.” So, we’re not letting our guard down.

Our lead article in this annual report provides some stories that serve to illustrate what we do, and to give examples of the past year’s successes. It is one thing to report that we made “x” loans or built “y” houses; it is quite another to reveal the communities and families that have had their lives transformed for the better because of the work we do. We hope these stories provide a richer appreciation of the Headwaters RDC’s work.

As we all know, these successes don’t just happen; they come about because of sustained, strategic, collective effort by our staff and the Commission.  I offer a great big THANK YOU! to both groups.

I am so fortunate to work with a group of people that are willing to hold themselves accountable for outcomes. Our customers don’t want us to just work on a project; they want the project to be brought to fruition to make their community better. While we can’t guarantee success, we’re willing to take the risks necessary to bring about real results.

Our Commission members are the unsung heroes in all of this.  We as staff can only stretch ourselves if we know our members are on the same page with us, allow us to take risks, and are fully supportive.  I wouldn’t trade this governing body for any other. Thanks to all of you.

I look forward to another challenging and fulfilling year!