This October of 2025, Fresh Energy hit the road for the Renew Highway 2 Tour, bringing conversations about clean energy and economic development to northwest Minnesota. Over two days, with presentations in Bemidji and Crookston, we gathered with community members, clean energy professionals, and local leaders to explore how the clean energy transition can strengthen rural economies and create new opportunities across the northwest region.
Bemidji learns about clean energy jobs and businesses, plus new opportunities
Our first stop was Bemidji State University’s Hobson Union on October 22, where attendees gathered for a full day of presentations and networking. The day kicked off with a keynote from J. Drake Hamilton, Fresh Energy’s managing director of science policy, who shared the exciting development in Minnesota’s clean energy landscape. Our electricity sector is halfway decarbonized thanks to wind, solar, and battery storage being built across the state — and communities like Bemidji can benefit from clean energy.
The morning continued with a data-driven look at renewable energy jobs in northwest Minnesota, featuring insights from Cathy Liebowitz of Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM), Anthony Shaffhauser from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and Jeff Matson, GIS director at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA).
One of the day’s standout moments came from White Earth’s “Arc of Solar” presentation. Bridget Guiza from the White Earth Tribal and Community College, George Lemelin from Global Link Energy, and Gwe Gasco from 8th Fire Solar shared the inspiring journey from workforce development to thriving small business growth in solar energy. Their success story demonstrates how the real-world impact of investing in local clean energy creates new, thriving opportunities for communities across Minnesota.
The afternoon also featured regional planning discussions led by the Headwaters Regional Development Commission, with Sami Holm, Naomi Carlson, and Elise Monson facilitating conversations about future partnerships and projects.
Crookston discusses sustainable agriculture, transmission, and local energy goals
On October 23, Fresh Energy drove to the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) for day two of the Renew Highway 2 Tour. The Crookston event brought high energy and plenty of interaction, with attendees deeply engaged in planning their energy future over the course of the day.
Fresh Energy has been partnering with Karie Kirschbaum at the City of Crookston (who was recently a panelist at our 2025 Benefit Breakfast) and Taylor Wyum at Empower Crookston as the community seeks to improve quality of life, boost the local economy, and make energy more affordable to residents. From energy rebates and tax incentives to a 4.8-megawatt hybrid renewable energy system, a groundbreaking geothermal study to upgrading the city’s homes to be clean and efficient, Crookston is an incredible example to all cities in Minnesota of how communities can benefit from the energy transition.
After J. Drake Hamilton’s keynote speech and economic data panel sharing how communities like Crookston are benefitting from clean energy projects, the afternoon sessions sparked lively discussions. Brian LaPlante, founder of 4H2 Inc., presented on the Sweet Sorghum Ethanol Revolution, exploring innovative approaches to decarbonization in agriculture. Crookston has a deep history in agriculture, and Brian’s work explores how the agricultural sector is key to helping Minnesota meet its climate targets. His presentation resonated strongly with attendees, many of whom work at the intersection of farming and clean energy.
A recurring theme emerged around agriculture’s crucial role in reaching Minnesota’s decarbonization targets, with farmers emphasizing the generational thinking and firsthand experience with climate changes affecting soil and crop management.
Mike Schowalter, Fresh Energy’s director of regional transmission organization advocacy (affectionately known as our “Transmission Man” for the tour), led an engaging session about MISO — the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, the Midwest’s electric grid — breaking down complex transmission topics directly to regional concerns, given Crookston’s place on the “edge” of the transmission grid, causing reliability concerns for residents.
The day concluded with Crystal Rayamajhi, northwest coordinator at UMC’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP), guiding participants through renewable energy goal-setting exercises. Her interactive approach had attendees actively collaborating on actionable steps for their communities.
Looking ahead
Our Renew Highway 2 Tour created meaningful spaces for conversation, learning, and relationship-building around clean energy and economic development in northwest Minnesota. Attendees left with new connections, fresh ideas and understanding, and concrete examples of how communities like Bemidji and Crookston can and are benefitting from the clean energy transition.
Stay tuned as we continue to work with communities like Crookston, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, and White Earth to help communities in Greater Minnesota benefit from the clean energy transition. We’re helping to build a better future that works for all Minnesotans, and we’re excited for our partnerships with communities in northwestern Minnesota.
