Community Events/News

Start Date Title Tags Description
Aug 05, 2023 06:30 PM Listen stories of those who forced to flee () Join local community members on Saturday, August 5 at 125 Live for a powerful evening of stories shared by panelists from West Africa, East Africa, and Afghanistan who were forced to flee their homelands and who have resettled in the Rochester area. Somali dessert, tea and coffee will be served.
Aug 05, 2023 11:00 AM Isaiah Forum with Rochester Area Legislators ('faith', 'ISAIAH', 'covid', 'sustainability') Join ISAIAH and the Muslim Coalition of ISAIAH for a housing forum with Senator Lindsey Port, Senator Liz Boldon, and Representative Mike Howard, leaders of the MN Senate and House Committees on Housing and Homelessness Prevention. The Minnesota legislature passed $1 billion in funds for housing this year, the state's largest-ever investment. What was in the bill, and what will it mean for Minnesota and Olmsted County? This will be a full-room
Aug 02, 2023 09:00 AM RAF Coffee & Conversation: 2023 Legislative Session ('RAF', 'governance') We have invited representatives to provide an overview of the 2023 Legislative session. We will learn what area projects have been funded and how will these projects impact our community
Jul 31, 2023 10:55 AM Mayo Social Innovation Grant Due ('mental health', 'community health', 'Health') Mayo Clinic is now accepting applications for a new Social Innovation Grant poised to address health care disparities in Olmsted County. Visit the Mayo Clinic Community Engagement page for application materials and additional information. Applications are due July 31, 2023.
Jul 28, 2023 02:00 PM Community Dental Care Fundraiser () $1 from every pint purchased will be donated to Community Dental Care, Rochester. Donations will support our efforts to provide high-quality, comprehensive dental care for people in need.
Jul 28, 2023 10:30 AM Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate Cohort 3 Showcase ('STEM', 'Entrepreneurship') A dynamic event featuring presentations by each of the 12 innovative health care AI startups that participated in Cohort 3 of the 20-week accelerator program. Every company will have 10 minutes to present their progress and outcomes from the program, providing a glimpse into the future of medicine.
Jul 26, 2023 12:00 PM DMC: July 2023 Equity Series Community Wealth Building ('DMC', 'Diversity', 'wealth', 'key', 'Financial Stress') Community Wealth Building (CWB) is an exciting new model and practice of economic development that is fast growing within the United States as well as many places across the world. CWB focuses on rewiring wealth and investment flows to build an economy that is inclusive, resilient, and equitable by design.
Jul 26, 2023 09:00 AM RAF Training for Good: Thinking of a Gala? ('RAF', 'funding', 'npc') Join Rochester Area Foundation's own Ellen Hegge at the Rochester Nonprofit Consortium's next 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 session on "𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧" Wednesday, July 26! Ellen will co-present with Liz Dorn of Jeremiah Program Rochester on how to skillfully approach fundraising through events that will engage donors with the mission of your organization.
Jul 25, 2023 03:30 PM MCLA Town Hall ('Diversity', 'governance') State agencies to present implementation of newly pass laws that impact our community.
Jul 24, 2023 09:00 AM Jeremiah Program Rochester: 2023 Charity Golf Outing, Warriors Fore Women ('funding',) Get a team together and join us on July 24th. Men and women golfers welcome!
Jul 20, 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.
Jul 20, 2023 04:30 PM CMRC July 2023 Meeting ('diversity', 'Diversity Council', 'welcoming', 'CMRC', 'openbeam', 'key', 'Diversity', 'cmrc') Topics: Olmsted County Updates - Joint Study on Race and Racism impacts on BIPOC Health
Jul 18, 2023 03:00 PM DBE Barriers Study Capacity-Builders Workshop Part 2 (By Invitation) ('Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship') 3:15 – 3:45 p.m. DBE Barriers Study Presentation – Lynn Pingol, MaKee Company 3:45 – 4 p.m. City/DMC 2023 DBE capacity-building strategies – Jorrie Johnson, City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center 4 – 5 p.m. DBE capacity-builders collaboration workshop – Lynn, MaKee Company
Jul 14, 2023 06:00 PM The Village Agricultural Cooperative: Research Demonstration Event ('food',) Come to learn about organic pest prevention methods applied to manage production. Join us for a discussion followed by Kenyan foods. Bring something to share if you are able.
Jul 12, 2023 08:30 AM Collider: 5 Steps to Starting a Business in Minnesota ('commerce', 'networking', 'community engagement', 'Entrepreneurship') Join us for a roundtable and coffee to discuss the requirements and steps to start a business in Minnesota.
Jul 11, 2023 03:00 PM DBE Barriers Study Capacity-Builders Workshop Part 1 (By Invitation) ('Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship') I hope you will be able to join us tomorrow afternoon at Rochester Area Economic Development Center. We shortened the meeting to 1.5 hours. Here’s the revised agenda: 3-3:15 p.m. Welcome and Introductions 3:15 – 3:45 p.m. DBE Barriers Study Presentation – Lynn Pingol, MaKee Company 3:45 – 4 p.m. City/DMC 2023-2024 DBE capacity-building strategies – Jorrie Johnson, City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center 4 – 4:30 DBE Capacity-builders workshop – Lynn, MaKee Company
Jul 10, 2023 02:00 PM ICR and Nonprofit Shared Space Conversation ('icr',)
Jun 30, 2023 04:00 PM Somalia Independence Day Celebration ('Culture', 'Education', 'Diversity') July 1st Somalia Independence Day at the Peace Plaza
Jun 29, 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.
Jun 28, 2023 12:00 PM Wellness on Wednesday ('Health/Wellness', 'Health') Free Virtual Arthritis Health Talks
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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