Olmsted County leads the way in affordable Housing

 

 

The Olmsted County Board and Housing Redevelopment Authority has completed the first of 10 houses in a Pilot Project to prove that more modest size houses of approximated 1100 – 1200 square feet will sell in Olmsted County.  I supported this project because most builders thought they could not make a profit on building smaller houses.  These homes are more affordable not only because of the size but also because they are built on smaller lots.  The homes meet all codes and are very energy efficient which will lower the costs of heating and cooling which also makes them more affordable.  Five houses will be slab on grade with two bedrooms.  Another five houses will be a split entrance and have 4 bedrooms; the cost is kept down by not finishing the lower level.  Bigelow Homes is the contractor for the 10 houses.  Olmsted is collaborating with another community partner, First Homes, to also help low-income families own a home.  I am hopeful that this project will create interest and zoning opportunities that can replicate this project and reduce the housing shortage in Olmsted County and Minnesota.  For more information see:  https://www.olmstedcounty.gov/government/county-news-events/county-news/olmsted-county-hra-board-awards-construction-bid-affordable-housing-development

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program

In order to make it more convenient for families to access Olmsted County WIC program, Olmsted is partnering with Olmsted Medical Center to host pop-up clinics.  I support this effort to make it easier for women to enroll in the WIC program and access its benefits.  This initiative is part of the national Food is Medicine movement.  To learn more or to scheduling an appointment at the pop-up clinic, please contact Olmsted County WIC at 507-328-7555

140 Households – Food Scrap Compost Pilot

Currently 140 households participate in the food scrap pilot.  So far, about 5,000 pounds of food have been collected and composted.  I participate in this program.  If you are interested in participating, please call Olmsted County Environmental Resources:  507.328.7070.  Please note there is a $25 cost to participate; this covers the instructions and the biodegradable bags that are used.

5.57 %

The Preliminary 2025 Levy set at the September 17, 2024 meeting.  This levy is projected to raise $137,862,741 of which $5,172,068 is the amount from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA).  This amount cannot be exceeded when the final levy is set on December 17.

Important projects are included in this levy including development of the Justice Center (court rooms and Jail), Construction of the multipurpose building at Graham Park, Improvements at the waste to energy facility, and design and construction of the County Road 44 and Highway 14 interchange.

Truth in Taxation

December 5, 2024, at 6:00PM is Public meeting on Olmsted’s proposed levy.

December 17, 2024, at 6:00PM the County Board will adopt the final 2025 budget and levy.

Details about these  public meetings are available on the Olmsted County website.  The meetings are accessible in person or virtually via the internet.

Travis Gransee – New County Administrator Selected

Travis Gransee was the unanimous decision by the county Board to serve as County Administrator at the October 7 Board Meeting.  Gransee has served Olmsted County residents in various capacities since 2004.

Chesterwoods Park is closed for the Disabled Veterans Hunt

Olmsted County Parks Department is hosting a Disabled American Veterans (DAV) shotgun hunt at Chester Woods Park November 14-17.  The park will be closed to the public during this event.  The purpose of the hunt is to harvest enough animals to keep the herd healthy and manageable.

Be a part of a County Advisory Board

Several new members have been appointed to County advisory boards.  Thank you to the new members for their time and talent in providing their input to the county.

Public Health Services Advisory Board:  Wayne Miller, Michael Burke, Denise Fisher, Faye Haris, Chris Roberts.

Parks Commission: Carola Arndt

Zoning Board of Adjustment: Wade Dugstad

If you are interested in joining a county advisory board please use the following link on the County website: advisory board or commission.

Economic Development in Stewartville

A permit was granted for a research facility to be built in Stewartville.  In August 2024, United Therapeutics submitted a building foundation permit for a 49,000-square-foot research facility, designed to be the site of a $100 million research farm in Stewartville’s Schumann Business Park. The site will be the biotechnology company’s second research facility engineering organs for the first-ever pig to human heart and kidney transplants. The valuation on the foundation construction permit is $2.9 million. The full building permit is expected later this year.  This represents economic development that is good for Olmsted County and Rochester.  Other smaller cities in Olmsted County also have land, resources, and employees available for economic development.