By Jolene FarleyOn Monday, the University of Minnesota Extension Service announced the 18 Minnesota communities that will serve as regional Extension centers beginning in January 2004. Luverne is not one of them, but local Extension officials hope the Rock County Board will finance a satellite office with a support staff to provide an emphasis in 4-H and ag programming."We’re still really going to try hard to listen to the needs of the local communities," said Rock/Pipestone County Extension Director Holli Arp.Last spring, in response to state budget reductions and requests from counties for more flexibility in contracting for services, Extension shifted to a regional system.More than 100 counties and communities submitted a letter of interest hoping to be chosen as a regional center.The communities selected were: Albert Lea, Andover, Brainerd, Cloquet, Crookston, Farmington, Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids, Hutchinson, Mankato, Marshall, Moorhead, Mora, Morris, Rochester, Roseau. St. Cloud and Worthington."After careful consideration and significant consultation, we picked these communities as sites for regional centers because, across the state, they create a network to ensure all Minnesotans have access to Extension," Extension Dean and Director Chuck Casey said. The regional centers are funded by state and federal dollars, according to Arp.Each regional office will house five to 10 University of Minnesota staff. Worthington will be the closest regional center to Rock County. Rock County didn’t submit an application, because, Arp said, "They didn’t think they clearly met the criteria."Rock County Commissioners have the option of contracting with Extension Service to augment programs that the county wants, needs, and can afford. Extension officials will next determine specific office locations in the communities chosen as regional centers. Five of the new centers, those in Cloquet, Crookston, Morris, Rochester, and Grand Rapids, use existing University of Minnesota facilities and build strong program connections with university faculty.Two metro area centers, Andover and Farmington, and faculty and staff on the Twin Cities campus, will position Extension to successfully serve the needs of the densely populated area of the state. The following criteria was used to select the sights:oThe community and site supports a strong technology connection.oAn existing University of Minnesota facility will be considered whenever possible.oThe centers should be distributed geographically to ensure that Extension is available throughout Minnesota. oLocations will be sought that maximize value for anticipated costs for the employer, customer and employee.oThe location lends itself to increased collaboration with agency partners. oThere are existing acceptable facilities. oThere is an active commitment from the host community. oThere are partnership opportunities with other educational institutions. oThe site is a user-friendly location for customers and the deployment of staff.
