Paige Meyer recently completed an internship with the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission. This is what they had to say about the experience.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to intern with the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission this summer. This was my third year working with them, and each experience has built upon the last, allowing me to deepen my understanding of regional development and planning and expand my professional skills.
During my first year, I worked primarily on the Developable Properties Inventory, ensuring that all information was accurate and up to date. In my second year, I contributed to the creation of a Housing Document that highlighted our region’s assets and developed an inventory of potential residential development sites.
This year, I continued that work while also taking on new responsibilities. One of my main projects was developing a comprehensive contact list to serve as a resource for individuals looking to build homes in the region. This list includes contact information for contractors, electricians, and other professionals essential to the home-building process. Additionally, I provided recommendations for improvements to the Housing Page on the Western Prairie Waters website. These suggestions were designed to make it easier for residents and developers to access information, ultimately helping encourage housing development and reduce barriers forbuilders.
Through these projects, I gained valuable insight into the home-building process and the challenges faced by homeowners, builders, and local officials. I also strengthened key professional skills, including communication, critical thinking, data management and organization, graphic design, and time management.
I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to work with the UMVRDC team again this year. Each summer has provided hands-on learning experiences that have enhanced my understanding of community development in ways that extend beyond the classroom.