On June 18, 2026, MMCDC hosted its annual meeting at Shooting Star Casino, Hotel and Event Center in Mahnomen. This meeting brought together community members, artists, staff and leadership for an evening centered on recent progress and future goals of the company.
The event began with a showcase from several Indigenous artists, whose work added a meaningful cultural presence and set a welcoming tone for the gathering. Prior to the meeting, MMCDC staff and board members had the opportunity to enjoy the artwork and even meet the artists behind each piece.
Prior to the meeting, guests were given a special opportunity to view Indigenous art. Artists lined the exterior of the event room and were able to present their art and answer questions.
Results Driven Succuss
During the meeting, board members shared updates about overall growth. These updates were reinforced by a statistics-driven presentation from Julia Nelmark, President & CEO of MMCDC and White Earth Investment Initiative.
MMCDC President and White Earth Investment Initiative CEO Julia Nelmark presents company information at the annual meeting.
MMCDC was awarded $519,000 in NeighborWorks grants, reinforcing the organization’s strong partnerships and continued investment in community development. In addition, the planned Mahnomen multi-family housing development project received a significant Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) award of $2.8 million in tax credits, contributing to a total estimated project value of $11 million.
Affordable Housing
During the annual meeting, Mary Gagnon of Mahnomen was honored with the NeighborWorks America Dorothy Richardson Award for her exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing affordable housing opportunities in the community. As part of the celebration, Mary was presented with a plaque in recognition of her impactful work on the Prairie View Townhomes project. Her efforts in regard to outreach and coordination were extremely valuable.
VITA
The meeting also recognized a major milestone for the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program, celebrating 20 years of service to the community. During that time, the program has prepared more than 10,000 tax returns and helped bring more than $18.8 million in federal refunds. This achievement reflects the dedication of staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to provide free, accurate tax preparation services.
The White Earth Tax Site celebrated 20 years of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance at the annual meeting. Pictured are the 2026 staff and volunteers, joined by some former volunteers. Back Row (Left): Jodi Lunde, Amanda Hanson, Dorothy Heisler, Sue Trnka, Heather Anderson. Front Row (Left): Emma Mejia, Betty Ann King, Emma King, Carol Fabre, Doug Fabre.
Departing Board Members
Additionally, Julia delivered a collective heartfelt thank you to outgoing board members Breanna Adams and Paul Ihle. Both were thanked for their years of dedication and leadership, which have played an important role in MMCDC’s continued success.
It was announced that Heather Perry of Becker County and Delray Sparby of Pennington County were elected by membership to the board. Also, Maria Lindstrom of Hubbard County and Mark Finstad of Polk County were reelected.
The board approved its slate of officers for the coming year at the board meeting preceding the annual meeting. They are Lori Guenther, chair; Maria Lindstrom, vice chair; Heather Perry, secretary; and Scott Moser, treasurer.
