The year 2024 was a dynamic time of transition and expansion for Northspan. We shifted from categorizing our work in terms of business, organizational, and community development, to the three focus areas of helping our clients make connections, building capacity, and accessing capital. For the calendar year, we had 65 total clients, with 14 Connections contracts, 26 Capacity contracts, and 25 Capital contracts.
We also consolidated three previously independent programs—Northland Connection, NORTHFORCE, and Welcoming Community—under the banner of Driving Access to Wealth & Networks (the DAWN program). DAWN uses a network-building approach to create a more sustainable development model for northern Minnesota and Wisconsin where mutual support and shared goals drive ongoing success.
In team news, we welcomed JL Herbert as our operations manager (and now associate consultant), Jared Dunlap as consultant and tribal liaison, and Cooper Grahek as associate consultant.
Staff Recognitions
- Elissa Hansen, Brainerd Public Schools Legendary Women Class of 2024
- Karl Schuettler, Duluth News Tribune 20 Under 40
- Amber Lewis, Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leader of the Year
Media Highlights
- Shaun Hainey, Finance and Commerce
- Zack Filipovich, Almanac North
- Duluth Mayor’s Child Care Task Force
- Carving Our Communities: Lessons from Woodcut Printmaking
- SSBCI Support Available Through DAWN Program
- RFBC Provides Support for $3.9 Million in Grant Applications
- Food Systems: We Can Fill Gaps and Address Needs
- Wilderness Health Listening Sessions: Strengthening Our Health Care Landscape
- Our View: Now’s Not the Time to Give Up on Broadband
- Northland Connection Launches New Website
- Our View: Community Building in 2024
Case Studies
- City of Rhinelander Strategic Planning
- Lake Superior Community Health Center Strategic Planning
- Life House Strategic Planning
- Itasca Sparking Change
- Itasca Economic Development Corporation, Deer River Cares Facilitation
- Child Care Task Force Facilitation
- East Range Police Department Succession Planning
We look forward to working with you in 2025! You can do a deeper dive into the details of our work on our blog.