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BACKUS - Cheryal Lee Hills, Region Five Development Commission director, updated Cass County commissioners Tuesday on the progress she has made toward paying off debt the region incurred several years ago and progress toward coordinating member counties' services.

She also announced a second grant has been received to provide low interest loans to more people who need money to replace failing water wells. Persons interested in that program can obtain more information by calling the Region Five office at 894-3233.

Region Five is the recent recipient of a federal grant for more than $800,000 to use for region-wide planning, with a focus on economic development and support services needed to increase housing and public infrastructure for future business development.[[In-content Ad]]

Region Five also is spearheading planning for a recreational trail system to connect the Soo Line trail where it intersects Highway 10 south of Little Falls, traveling north around the perimeter of Camp Ripley, to connect with the Paul Bunyan Trail at Brainerd/Baxter. Cass commissioners have asked for a link from Pillager to Baxter on that system.

Potential users and routes will be identified through the study.

Second publication rights after Brainerd Dispatch.

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