Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Sep 20, 2023 02:00 PM Rochester Public Schools Technology Referendum Meeting convened by Rochester Area Nonprofit Consortium ('Education', 'npc', 'governance') Superintendent Kent Pekel will speak on the referendum that the Rochester School Board has voted to place on the ballot in November to generate funding to enhance technology upgrades, operations, and academic initiatives in Rochester Public Schools.
Sep 16, 2023 05:00 PM C.E.R.T. 2nd Annual Gala ('public safety', 'Diversity', 'cmrc', 'civic engagement') A Night of Soulful Jazz
Sep 16, 2023 12:00 PM Latino Fest 2023 ('culture', 'Diversity', 'cmrc', 'community') Saturday, September 16: Latino Fest – Join the Alliance of Chicanos, Hispano, and Latino Americans (ACHLA) on September 16th from 12pm-10pm for art, food, music and community coming together in a dazzling celebration! Experience the richness of Latin culture inside the historic Chateau Theatre and out at the vibrant Peace Plaza. Let's dance, enjoy and come together for an unforgettable day of unity and fun! There is no cost for this event.
Sep 14, 2023 11:30 AM MPR Rochester RDAC 3Q 2023 Meeting ('diversity', 'MPR', 'openbeam', 'key', 'Diversity') Our speaker is Liwanag Ojala, the Senior Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer at American Public Media Group.
Sep 14, 2023 07:30 AM 3Q 2023 September HAPP Meeting ('CHNA', 'community', 'CHAP', 'Health', 'openbeam', 'key') CHAP Communications Project Recap; CHIP Collective Impact Update; Core Agency Updates; Community Announcements and Sharing
Sep 13, 2023 10:00 AM September 13, 2023 Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Alliance (By Invitation) ('RAF', 'Housing', 'openbeam', 'key', 'housing') State Housing Tax Credit Program and Contribution Fund, Local Option Sales Tax
Sep 13, 2023 10:00 AM Mayor Norton: Short Term End Childhood Hunger Taskforce Convening ('food', 'youth', 'Financial Stress') As part of the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health and the Mayor’s Alliance to End Childhood Hunger by 2030, Mayor Norton is coordinating a short-term City-wide task force to develop a blueprint to achieve the goals. There will also be an opportunity to share what is already happening in our community as well as sharing ideas for partnership and promoting other’s activities. (Resources noted below.)
Sep 12, 2023 10:00 AM RPS: September 12, 2023 Monthly District Family Engagement Meeting ('rps', 'education', 'diversity', 'youth', 'Culture', 'openbeam', 'key', 'Education', 'cmrc') Family Engagement Success Sharing from RPS Sites (10:05) Family Engagement Districtwide Updates (10:15-10:30) Discussion Groups (10:30-10:45) RPS and Community Updates (10:45-11:00)
Sep 09, 2023 10:00 AM FSR: Rochester's First Walk Audit! ('aging', 'Civic Equity') A Walk Audit is a fun, interactive way to assess the pedestrian experience in our neighborhoods. While walking together, we identify potential improvements to sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, traffic flow, and assess the pedestrian friendliness and walkability of the neighborhood.
Sep 06, 2023 04:30 PM Journie Open House 2023 ('arts', 'diversity', 'CMRC')
Aug 26, 2023 10:00 AM Pamoja Women Cultural Day ('Diversity', 'CMRC', 'Entrepreneurship') Pamoja Women is celebrating African women in Rochester by hosting the first “Pamoja Women Cultural Day” on the 26th of August 2023. This is an opportunity for the Rochester community to explore the diverse and rich local African communities.
Aug 25, 2023 06:40 PM The Health Bridge: US-China Health Industry Innovation Cooperation Conference ('STEM', 'Entrepreneurship')
Aug 23, 2023 12:00 PM August 2023 DMC: Let’s Spill the T.E.A. ('DMC', 'Diversity', 'CMRC', 'key') How Transformative Equity Analysis can unveil critical insights and elevate organizational efficacy.
Aug 22, 2023 01:00 PM Commitment to Racial Justice Undersigned Quarterly Meeting ('Diversity', 'CMRC', 'npc') Topic: Discussing the Future to the Commitment to Racial Justice
Aug 19, 2023 03:00 PM India Day ('Culture', 'Diversity') Cultural Association of the Bengalis in Rochester, MN presents India Day.
Aug 17, 2023 05:30 PM Journie: Let's Talk About It ('arts', 'diversity', 'CMRC') Stigmas from a biracial P.O.V.
Aug 17, 2023 04:30 PM CMRC August 17 2023 Meeting ('diversity', 'Diversity Council', 'welcoming', 'CMRC', 'openbeam', 'key', 'Diversity', 'cmrc') How to use tech platforms to bring visibility and revenue. CMRC Updates: Engagements - RCTC/Perkins, NIH ComPASS grant scoring, NIH Build UP Trust Challenge, Mayo Clinic: Social Health Impact Digital Innovation, CMRC Future, Member Announcements
Aug 10, 2023 08:00 AM Mayo Clinic RISE for Equity: Reflect, Inspire, Strengthen & Empower 2023 ('youth', 'diversity') Prioritizing and addressing diversity, equity and inclusion in workforce development and organizational culture is essential to providing optimal patient care, achieving health equity,
Aug 10, 2023 02:00 PM DISCOVER THE FUN OF MINNESOTA SUMMERS WITH FAMILIES ABROAD ('youth', 'Culture', 'Diversity') A series of FREE multi-cultural opportunities for families to experience many of the summer activities Minnesotans love! Each day will focus on different activities that Minnesotans love to participate in all summer long. From building campfires to fishing, from S'Mores to corn on the cob, attendees will get a sampling of our Minnesotan culture.
Aug 09, 2023 10:00 AM August 9, 2023 Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Alliance (By Invitation) ('RAF', 'Housing', 'housing', 'openbeam') Housing Amendment Proposal, outcomes of the state housing funding as well as the local option sales tax details, amongst other items.
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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 Groundbreaking

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