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Oct 25, 2023 08:00 AM Next Level Conference: Inspiring Beginnings ('Education', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship') Organized in Rochester, Minnesota, each year in cities across the United States, Small Business Forum will host a two-day event that brings together hundreds of restless minds united by their passion for business. 1 Learn from and be inspired by renowned individuals from business and beyond – a blend of content comprised of CEOs, entrepreneurs, innovators, thinkers, and celebrities. 2 The conference focuses on the issues most relevant to today’s businesspeople, stimulating new thinking and inspiring action. 3 It provides a unique exclusive networking environment to connect with business leaders.
Oct 26, 2023 10:00 AM 2023 Fall Co-design Leadership Training Session 2 Option 2 ('diversity', 'dmc', 'co-design') Co-design has become a valued and effective community-centric approach to developing healthy and equitable projects, policies, and practices in the Rochester region. However, we have also seen what can happen if co-design is co-opted as just another “box” to be checked. If you are not familiar, co-design is an approach to encourage, compensate, and prioritize the inclusion of diverse populations throughout the design and development process. We would like to invite you to participate in training sessions designed to proactively ensure that those leading organizations and projects are able to create meaningful co-design opportunities and structures for shared decision-making in the work that you do.
Oct 25, 2023 12:00 PM Data-informed tools to drive racial equity and inclusion within organizations ('DMC', 'Diversity', 'Housing', 'key', 'data', 'CMRC') Data-informed tools to drive racial equity and inclusion within organizations: the Racial Equity Dividends Indices
Oct 24, 2023 01:00 PM 2023 Fall Co-design Leadership Training Session 2 Option 1 ('diversity', 'dmc', 'co-design') Co-design has become a valued and effective community-centric approach to developing healthy and equitable projects, policies, and practices in the Rochester region. However, we have also seen what can happen if co-design is co-opted as just another “box” to be checked. If you are not familiar, co-design is an approach to encourage, compensate, and prioritize the inclusion of diverse populations throughout the design and development process. We would like to invite you to participate in training sessions designed to proactively ensure that those leading organizations and projects are able to create meaningful co-design opportunities and structures for shared decision-making in the work that you do.
Oct 23, 2023 04:30 PM October 23, 2023 CMRC Meeting ('Diversity', 'CMRC', 'key') Topics Include: NIH Build UP Trust Challenge, Protect Minnesota, City of Rochester Sales Tax, RCTC CTE Feedback, Olmsted County Park Co-design
Oct 23, 2023 12:00 PM Nonprofit Consortium: Commitment to Racial Justice Updates ('Diversity', 'npc') An informational meeting to discuss the upcoming changes to the Commitment to Racial Justice. The undersigned are strongly encouraged to attend!
Oct 22, 2023 02:30 PM Isaiah: October 2023 Rochester Area Summit ('faith', 'ISAIAH', 'cmrc', 'key') Summit of neighbors, leaders, and elected officials. We're expecting 200 attendees so far and 13 elected officials serving in the city, county, school board, and state legislature!
Oct 19, 2023 06:30 PM In the City for Good: School Referendum ('governance',) Superintendent Kent Pekel will join us to share information and address the upcoming School referendum. Index cards will be provided for questions from the audience.
Oct 19, 2023 05:30 PM Redlining & Racial Covenants ('Housing', 'Diversity') Phil Wheeler Presentation on history of racial covenants in Olmsted County, the homeownership gap, and impacts to affordable Housing
Oct 17, 2023 10:00 AM NIH Build UP Trust Grant Webinar ('co-design', 'health', 'openbeam', 'key', 'Diversity') The Build UP Trust Challenge will host a live Q&A Webinar at noon Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. During the webinar, we will provide an overview of the competition, walk through the website, and answer questions.
Oct 12, 2023 06:00 PM SBDC: How Do I Start a Business - Session 2 ('cmrc', 'Entrepreneurship') What do I need to start a business?
Oct 12, 2023 11:00 AM 2023 Fall Co-design Leadership Training Session 1 Option 2 ('diversity', 'dmc', 'co-design') Co-design has become a valued and effective community-centric approach to developing healthy and equitable projects, policies, and practices in the Rochester region. However, we have also seen what can happen if co-design is co-opted as just another “box” to be checked. If you are not familiar, co-design is an approach to encourage, compensate, and prioritize the inclusion of diverse populations throughout the design and development process. We would like to invite you to participate in training sessions designed to proactively ensure that those leading organizations and projects are able to create meaningful co-design opportunities and structures for shared decision-making in the work that you do.
Oct 11, 2023 10:00 AM October 11, 2023 Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Alliance (By Invitation) ('RAF', 'Housing', 'openbeam', 'key', 'housing') Zumbro Ridge Estate 5-Year Updates; Local Real Estate Update; Community Organizations Looking for Housing; Round Table from Members
Oct 10, 2023 01:00 PM 2023 Fall Co-design Leadership Training Session 1 Option 1 ('diversity', 'dmc', 'co-design') Co-design has become a valued and effective community-centric approach to developing healthy and equitable projects, policies, and practices in the Rochester region. However, we have also seen what can happen if co-design is co-opted as just another “box” to be checked. If you are not familiar, co-design is an approach to encourage, compensate, and prioritize the inclusion of diverse populations throughout the design and development process. We would like to invite you to participate in training sessions designed to proactively ensure that those leading organizations and projects are able to create meaningful co-design opportunities and structures for shared decision-making in the work that you do.
Oct 10, 2023 10:00 AM RPS October 10, 2023 Monthly District Family Engagement Meeting ('rps', 'education', 'diversity', 'youth', 'openbeam', 'key', 'Education', 'cmrc') Family Engagement with Special Education
Oct 06, 2023 08:00 AM October 2023 Rochester Area Foundation: Fall DEI Practitioner Convening and Luncheon (By Invitation) ('RAF', 'Diversity', 'openbeam') A retreat that will focus on equipping DEI practitioners with practical tools to manage stress and invest in their overall wellness through practices focused on mindfulness, self-love, restoration, and healing.
Oct 05, 2023 06:00 PM SBDC: How Do I Start a Business - Session 1 ('cmrc', 'Entrepreneurship') Introduction to starting a business
Oct 05, 2023 10:00 AM 2023 DMC Emerging Developer Expo ('Housing', 'DMC', 'Diversity', 'openbeam') One of aims of the Expo is to disrupt the systemic racial barriers to real estate investment and development. The Expo is an opportunity for organizations, government, and community partners to showcase the resources offered in service of creating equity in development and investment of housing in our communities.
Oct 04, 2023 10:00 AM 2023 C2C Annual Education Summit ('diversity', 'c2c', 'C2C', 'Education', 'boys & girls') Learn, Reflect and Connect with us at this free event as we come together to support children and youth from cradle to career
Oct 03, 2023 07:00 PM October 2023 Co-Design Summer Cohort Graduation ('diversity', 'DMC', 'co-design', 'openbeam') Celebrating the graduation of 2023 summer cohorts
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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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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.



Olmsted County Health Focus Topics

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Overdose SPIKE, Mental Health Club House

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Rochester Learning Center Mural Night

UMR and ALC Collaboration Research Study Introduction

The Artist Mindset Research Study

 

Last Updated March 14, 2026



City SUPPORTING TRANSFORMATION - BOLD. Forward. Unbound.

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Mar 2026 Video Recording, Presentation

Feb 2025 Video Recording Link, Presentation, Collaboration Commitment

Last Updated March 10, 2026



America's City for Heath and Older Adults Needs

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Oct 2025 AI Summary of Dave Beal's PB Op Ed: "Include older adults in Rochester's Plans"

Last Updated March 09, 2026



Braver Angels News

Listen to (and learn from) the other side

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Last Updated March 06, 2026



2025-26 RPS Superintendent Goals Check

Feb 3 2026 Midyear Review: 

  • Video Clip
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Last Updated March 04, 2026



Development Assistance Agreement Relating to the Citywalk Apartments for Tax Increment Financing

Mar 2, 2026: Rochester Economic Development Authority 

Approving and Authorizing the Execution of Development Assistance Agreement (Citywalk Project)

Last Updated March 03, 2026



Downtown Mobility Network

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Sep 2025 Press Release: City of Rochester Launches “Reimagining Sixth Avenue W” to Reconnect Downtown Mobility Network

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RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Design

Mar 3, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Background Memo, Video Clip, Presentation 

Last Updated March 03, 2026



Public Office Candidate Trainings

Two sets of candidates training programs: 

1. Ready to Run: Community Partners Training: March 11, March 25, April 1

2. Chamber of Commerce Sponsored Training: March 7, March 28 

Last Updated February 28, 2026



City Council and Mayor-Better Public Hearing Meeting

Feb 9, 2026 Study Session: Report, Video, Presentation

Summarizing interviews, survey responses, scorecard and public forum 

Last Updated February 27, 2026



Hope at Home

Nearly $60,000 has been distributed to help prevent evictions

The Hope at Home Fund, created by Family Promise Rochester

Last Updated February 26, 2026



2026 and 2025 Action Plan Updates

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Jan 2025 City of Rochester’s Action Plan, first implemented in 2021, serves as our roadmap for success. It outlines current initiatives aimed at advancing City Council's Strategic Priorities. 

Last Updated February 26, 2026



Downtown Historic District Investment

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DMCC Board Meeting Dec 10, 2025

  • Request Memo
  • Video Recording
  • Presentation 

Last Updated February 26, 2026



Olmsted County Press Release:

We are Water MN Traveling Exhibit Feb 25 thru Apr 20, 2026: A statewide partnership that deepens connections between Minnesotans

and the water we rely on.

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Rochester Area Volunteer Administration

2026: April 15 Volunteer Fair

2023: RAVA October 19 2023 Meeting Notes; RAVA Meeting Notes: 6/15/2023 featuring inclusive language and use of pronouns; 2. 2021 survey announcement 

2021: Survey

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DMC 2025 5 Year Plan Updates

Feb 5, 2026 DMC Board Meeting: Final DMC Plan Update

Dec 15, 2025 DMC Board Meeting  :Request for Action; Video Recording; Presentation';2025 5-year plan draft

References: Nov 2025 City Council Study Session Materials; Feb 2026 DMCC Annual Report

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MDH 2026 Announcements

MDH Regional Listening Sessions March 5, 2026 

Feb 2026 MDH Minnesota Health Equity Networks Newsletter

 

Last Updated February 07, 2026



Rochester as a Compassionate City

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Council Initiated Action - Reaffirming Rochester as a Compassionate City

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