Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Jun 15, 2024 12:00 PM Juneteenth 2024 Freedom Day-Love Wins ('diversity', 'Culture', 'NAACP') Join us and the community for a fantastic fun filled family event with the community, sponsors, and community collaborators. Juneteenth is very important to the African American community and is a day to honor the emancipation of slavery back in 1865.
Jun 13, 2024 08:00 AM 2024 Next Level Conference: TOGETHER, FASTER AND STRONGER ('Education', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship') Welcome to REIMAGINE, the annual gathering of professionals, experts, business owners, and thought leaders in the business sector. Our conference is a unique platform where people come together to exchange ideas, build networks, and foster lasting partnerships. This year’s inaugural event promises to be bigger and better than other events you’ve been to thus far, with an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops, and ending with an expo.
Jun 13, 2024 06:00 PM Homes for Our Neighbors - What if we treated housing like a human right? ('Housing', 'ISAIAH', 'key') In 2020, Olmsted County was forecast to need 18,000 additional units of housing by 2030. With higher growth due to Mayo Clinic’s expansion, the need will be even greater. Olmsted County is a leader in Minnesota for its commitment to locally-owned and -controlled housing. On June 13, come learn more about how Olmsted County is leading, and call on our county commissioners and local partners to dream even bigger to address our community’s urgent need for affordable, healthy, and climate-friendly homes.
Jun 13, 2024 05:30 PM June Valuing Others Together Thursday Night Lights ('civic engagement',) Digging Deeper...Awesome Questions to discuss with a new friend
Jun 13, 2024 03:00 PM June 2024 Rochester Vision 2050 Community Engagement ('governance', 'community', 'openbeam') Our city has undertaken a broad array of initiatives to create a bright future for her citizens and constituencies. These should be guided by a clear, optimistic, aspirational vision. 2050: Far enough for limitless possibilities; close enough to begin today to serve Rochester’s next generation and beyond. Vision 2050 Steering Committee guides this initiative A large volunteer group will put “Vision in Action”, using co-design to engage the community to share ideas and priorities for Rochester’s future.
Jun 13, 2024 01:00 PM 2Q 2024 June Health HAPP Meeting ('CHNA', 'community', 'Health/Wellness', 'Health', 'public sector work product', 'key', 'health work product') Mobilizing Olmsted Voices for Equity (M.O.V.E.) Update, LGBTQIA+ Co-Design Work Discussion, 2024 CHAP Satisfaction Survey, Community Announcements and Sharing
Jun 12, 2024 12:00 PM Investing in Community: Equitable Planning and Design Strategies in the Twin Cities and Beyond ('DMC', 'Diversity', 'Housing', 'key', 'CMRC') As Rochester continues to grow, how can equitable design and planning strategies be utilized to help communities realize the benefits of improvements that are happening in their communities? This presentation will speak to anti-displacement strategies being utilized in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul, MN, through the Reconnect Rondo initiative; equitable engagement strategies in Rochester and El Paso, and the way that culture and context can shape park design in Denton, TX. The presentation is intended to start a conversation about how Rochester can learn from these projects and other initiatives to achieve equitable and restorative development.
Jun 12, 2024 10:00 AM June, 2024 Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Alliance ('RAF', 'housing', 'openbeam', 'key') Topics: Opportunities the IRA has for home remodeling & building; City of Rochester goals, priorities, and Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding initiatives; Local Case Study: John Hardy’s House
Jun 10, 2024 05:00 PM Community Memorial Service for Our Unhoused Neighbors ('housing', 'social services') June 10 5 p.m. at Rochester Civic Theater; Community Meal to follow at The Landing. Sponsored by local faith leaders and nonprofit service providers.
Jun 06, 2024 05:15 PM MPR Connects Presents MPR News with Angela Davis ('community engagement', 'MPR') June 6th, MPR Connects Presents MPR News with Angela Davis. 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, The Chateau Theatre.
Jun 04, 2024 04:00 PM June 2024 United Way BIPOC Leaders Panel and Small Group Conversation ('Diversity', 'compassion', 'key', 'civic engagement', 'CMRC', 'united way') Join other BIPOC individuals to learn about ways to get involved in our community! BIPOC Leaders Panel and Small Group Conversation
May 30, 2024 04:30 PM CMRC May 2024 Meeting ('diversity', 'disability', 'community', 'c2c', 'key', 'CMRC', 'united way') Confirmed Topics CMRC Updates, PossAbilities DEI Outreach; C2C free FAFSA CBO support, United Way DEI Panel Convening; Potential Topic: Olmsted County Mobilizing Olmsted Voices for Equity (M.O.V.E.)
May 30, 2024 11:00 AM 2025 Minnesota Joint Disparity Study ('Diversity', 'key', 'governance') Igbal Mohammed Office of Equity in Procurement - Manager 50 Sherburne Avenue, Suite 112 Saint Paul, MN 55155 (651) 201-2421 igbal.mohammed@state.mn.us
May 29, 2024 12:30 PM Star Tribune Minnesota Matters Rochester ('networking', 'listening', 'key') Star Tribune journalists and editors are coming to Rochester to learn from you.
May 23, 2024 06:30 PM C4G: MENTAL ILLNESS AND HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS ISSUES ('compassion', 'mental health', 'Homelessness') Sarah Knispel and Lee Formella will join us to discuss the relationship between mental illness and housing and homelessness presented with facts and legislative actions. Additionally they will share how we can approach, respect and treat our brothers and sisters around us suffering from mental illness. Sarah started as a Mental Health Specialist working with social well-being in the streets of Brooklyn.
May 23, 2024 12:00 PM 2024 DMC Collaborative Session ('EDA', 'key', 'Entrepreneurship') Joint gathering of the DMCC board, DMCC EDA board, Rochester City Council & Mayor, and Olmsted County board, along with their respective staff. Goals for the meeting: Allow organizations to share ideas: Learning each group’s priorities,
May 23, 2024 09:30 AM May 23, 2024 DMCC Board Meeting ('EDA', 'key', 'Entrepreneurship') Destination Medical Center status include: metrics, DMC agency reporting, projects updates
May 21, 2024 09:00 AM Silver Lake Forum ('community engagement',) Friends of Silver Lake has scheduled a forum to discuss the proposal to replace the existing Silver Lake Dam with a new structure to allow fish and wildlife passage, along with creating additional recreational opportunities.
May 19, 2024 05:30 PM Join the Mayor ('Health/Wellness',) Join us for a fun, family-friendly day to learn more about the importance of exercise for our physical and mental health. There will be community booths/displays and kid's games.
May 18, 2024 11:00 AM Sabbath and Health ('interfaith', 'community health', 'health') Lifestyle medicine presentation in Spanish to Hispanic audience
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October 2021 Activities

FORUM  WITH INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT DR. KENT PEKEL- October 21, 6:30 to 8:00:

In the City for Good will be presenting an online forum to give all in the community an opportuniy to hear from Rochester Public Schools Interim Superintendent Kent Pekel. Dr. Pekel will give an overview of his time so far in the district, along with more information on the strategic plan he will be proposing. Interested Rochester residents may submit questions ahead of time or during the meeting to be used in a Q&A time period after his primary presentation. The October 21 forum will be from 6:30 to 8.

 

Steering Committee- Tuesday, October 5, 4:00 p.m.

Topic: In the City for Good Steering Committee

Time: Oct 5, 2021 04:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

 Join Zoom Meeting

Contact InTheCityForGood@gmail.com for Zoom info. 

 

Housing Team- Monday, October 11 7:00 p.m.

Our next In the City for Good Housing Team meeting will be on October 11 at 7 pm. We will be discussing the proposed Unified Development Code with Ryan Yetzer, Interim Deputy Director, Community Development for the City of Rochester leading the discussion along with others in the Community Development area. We will especially focus on what some of the proposed changes could mean related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and the role of ADUs in addressing the concerns around the affordability of workforce and senior housing. This will be an online meeting, with the link to be sent out later this week.

 

Age-Friendly- Oct 12th and 26th 2:30 to 4:00

Meeting Information:

Age-Friendly Olmsted County Planning Group

Tues. Oct 12 and 26

2:30pm - 4pm

 

Contact DBeal@familyservicerochester.org for Zoom info

 

Social Services/Social Justice- Watch for info of upcoming November meeting

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Purpose of the site
A sub-site of Community Beam, the City4Good website is being prototyped by openBEAM.net  to help the "In the City For Good initiative" to better collaborate.
Community Status/News

This panel displays the latest community news. For a standalone view please click this LINK.



2024-25 Positive Behavior Data Review and Initiatives Update

July 15, 2025 RPS Board Updates

AI Summary of data

PB Editorial

Last Updated August 02, 2025



Graham Park Exhibition Center Construction

Groundbreaking Construction began Wednesday on a $48.7 million project at Graham Park, Rochester. The centerpiece is an 80,000-square-foot exhibition center with a performance arena seating 1,500 people.

Last Updated August 01, 2025



Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex

July 28, 2025 City Council Study Session 

Last Updated July 26, 2025



LINK - Bus Rapid Transit New Budget Increase

DMCC Special Board Meeting July 22, 2025 Approving Budget Increase

City Council July 20, 2025 New Budget Increase: A nearly $73.2 million contract for construction of key elements of Rochester’s Link Bus Rapid Transit project is spurring a call for added transit aid.

Last Updated July 24, 2025



2024 Housing Coalition Investments

July 2025 Reports

May 2025 Reporting on 2024 Investments:

$8,491,000 supporting 11 projects totaling over $77M

Last Updated July 18, 2025



RPS 5 Year Budget Reduction Strategy

RPS Board Presentation July 15, 2025 

AI generated summary of budget reduction strategy 

Last Updated July 16, 2025



Future Development of Graham Park

OLMSTED COUNTY Commissioners to review exhibition center construction contracts

PB Editorial - Need to include Seneca Site and County/City planning together

PB Reporting on background of the project including engaging local governments 

 

Last Updated July 15, 2025



Mayflower mixed housing project

Mayflower mixed housing project summary 

North side of Second Street Southwest across the street from Ronald McDonald House.

Last Updated July 12, 2025



Life Style Medicine Podcasts

Energy Medicine

Rochester Clinic featured on The Exam Room podcast by Chuck Carroll alongside Rochester's Mayor Kim Norton.

 

Last Updated July 05, 2025



DMC 2015-2025 Review and Next 10 Years

DMC’s next decade will focus on deepening its impact—through infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and community engagement—while continuing to support Rochester’s evolution into a vibrant, health-focused destination.

Last Updated July 01, 2025



Mayo Clinic Platform 2025 Conference

June 3–4 in Minneapolis, PlatforMed 2025 Proceedings

Featuring: leaders from Google, Thrive Global, Mount Sinai, Nvidia, and the Gates Foundation. 

Last Updated June 27, 2025



MN 2025 Joint Disparity Study — External Stakeholder Group Meeting

Copilot Analysis and Summary of City of Rochester Procurement Profile Summary

Copilot Analysis and Summary of Hennepin County Procurement Profile Summary

Comparison between Hennepin County and Rochester 

Last Updated June 26, 2025



Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN)

Spring 2025 Nonprofit News

Financial Planning; Federal Funding Importance; Nonprofit Services; etc

Last Updated June 25, 2025



City of Rochester 2026-2027 Budget Planning

June 23, 20225 Study Session: 2026 Capital Improvement Plan & Outside Agency Funding Budget Update

May 27, 2025 City Council Study Session ; Apr 28, 2025 City Council Study Session Materials

Press Release: The City of Rochester is beginning its 2026-2027 budget process and invites residents to learn more about the factors shaping the City’s financial outlook.

Last Updated June 23, 2025



2025-2026 RPS Budget and 2026-27 Cut Projection

The Rochester School Board has officially approved a $445 million budget for the 2025–26 school year, setting the stage for a year of stability and strategic investment in local education. 

RPS 2026-2027 Budget Cut Projection

 

Last Updated June 22, 2025



Rochester International Relations Committee

Activities

1H 2025 Meeting Materials

Sister City Trip Log 

Last Updated June 21, 2025



NAACP, Rochester Chapter

Juneteenth 2025 Celebration Report 

Rochester NAACP Statement on Racist Hate Incident Targeting Black Child in Public Park

Last Updated June 20, 2025



Multicultural Center Concept Enablement

One Page Summary of Concept - Fact Sheet

Detailed Project Description

Last Updated June 17, 2025



Financial Aid Support Sessions

2025 Summer Financial Aid Sessions  

Locations: RCTC, Rochester Public Library

Information for CBO hosting Financial Aid Sessions

Last Updated June 14, 2025



State Funding Supports Silver Lake Skate Park and Traffic Calming Grants

June 10, 2025 – ROCHESTER, MINN. – The City of Rochester is grateful for state funding and legislative actions this session that will help enhance public spaces and improve quality of life for residents.

Last Updated June 11, 2025