Otter Tail County & Otter Tail Lakes Country Announce New Hospitality Program

Otter Tail Lakes Country and Otter Tail County are pleased to announce the launch of a new program designed to help new residents of Otter Tail County feel more welcome. Titled “grab-a-bite,” the program is designed to act as a platform for individual towns and cities throughout Otter Tail County to create inclusive communities by fostering meaningful one-on-one interactions between newcomers and locals.

“In short, grab-a-bite is a way for us to make sure we roll out the welcome mat for folks who move to our area,” said Erik Osberg, Rural Rebound Initiative Coordinator for Otter Tail County. The program works through teams of locals committing to taking newcomers out for a quick meal or cup of coffee.

“A small group within the 2017 Fergus Falls Blandin Community Leadership Cohort felt it was important to the overall health of our town to set the tone for newcomers so they have access to a familiar face and a resource into the future,” said Jess Steinbrenner, a local social worker who was instrumental in the formation of the Fergus Falls grab-a-bite chapter. Joining Steinbrenner in the implementation efforts are fellow Blandin graduates Mick Siems, Theresa Lee and Emily Sivertson. “We learned that Otter Tail Lakes Country Association was also on a mission to help people feel welcome throughout the county, so we partnered and developed grab-a-bite,” she shared.

According to Osberg, “We want newcomers to feel a genuine connection to their new community. That’s why grab-a-bite was created as an open-ended platform for one-on-one interactions. Steinbrenner has already taken a few newcomers out to lunch.  “So far the feedback has been positive. In fact, one newcomer has already asked to pay it forward. The newcomers steer the conversation, there are no strings attached, just a good visit and the establishment of a familiar face.”

Osberg added that it is the program’s goal for each community in the county to have a chapter by mid-2018.  “We already believe that Otter Tail County is the best place to live and work. However, if we can have 10 groups of locals, spread out across Otter Tail County making it a priority to identify and welcome newcomers, then we will be well on our way to reinforcing that narrative.”

If you are interested in participating in grab-a-bite as a newcomer or a local, contact Erik Osberg at 218-770-7848 or [email protected].