West Central Initiative to host May 1 event in Fergus Falls on the power of local journalism
News | Published on April 17, 2025 at 6:32pm GMT+0000 | Author: Tucker Henderson
0Steve Grove, CEO and Publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune, to deliver keynote address
West Central Initiative invites the public to attend The View from Here: Telling the Stories of Our Region, a special event exploring the power of local journalism to inform, connect, and strengthen our communities.
The event will be held on May 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls and will feature a keynote address by Steve Grove, CEO and Publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Grove will share timely perspectives on the shifting media landscape and highlight the vital role regional journalism plays in strengthening civic life.
A panel of local newspaper leaders will also share their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing regional news today—from shifting readership habits to the enduring value of hometown reporting.
Guests will be among the first to receive a copy of The View from Here: An Almanac of Life and Land in Our Region. This newly published almanac is a modern take on the traditional format, blending data, stories, and historical context into a rich resource for understanding our region’s dynamics, strengths, and future possibilities.
“We’re excited to debut our almanac as a regional view of the place we call home,” said Ben Schierer, Director of Civic Partnerships at West Central Initiative. “Regions matter—and so does how we connect to them. Stories, news, and facts shape those connections, and trustworthy local information is vital to healthy communities. This event offers a chance to hear directly from those working to provide it—and to explore what the future of journalism means for our region.”
Whether you’re passionate about journalism, community engagement, or storytelling, this event is a unique opportunity to gather, learn, and celebrate what makes our region thrive.
Lunch is provided. Space is limited, so be sure to register at wcif.org/events to save your spot.
About West Central Initiative
West Central Initiative is a place-based nonprofit, community foundation, and regional development organization dedicated to fostering a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable future for White Earth Nation and Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin Counties. Since its founding in 1986, West Central Initiative has provided funding, technical assistance, planning resources, and philanthropic services to strengthen the economic and social fabric of the region. The organization has provided more than $59 million in loans and approximately $82 million in grants to businesses and organizations.