Erica Bjelland is responsible for facilitating community development and economic development projects, with an emphasis on program implementation focused on energy, environment and pandemic planning. She assists local units of government and businesses with  various other planning and ensures that diversity, equity, and inclusion practices are incorporated into existing and new policies, rules, programs and proposals. Erica joined R5DC in July of 2020, after working several years at Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL) in Backus, MN. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Policy and Global Studies from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Erica currently serves on the 100 Rural Women board and Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) regional steering committee.