 Dear neighbors,
As we move through 2024, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the progress and accomplishments for the East Side that we have achieved together last year. It was a year filled with challenges, but also one marked by resilience, unity, and a shared commitment to making our county a better place to live.
As the Chair of Ramsey County's Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA), I oversaw the county's first disbursement of HRA levy funds. These funds enabled the HRA to launch and expand several initiatives supporting both new construction and the preservation of current affordable housing units. We will continue working to increase the availability of housing units affordable to households with incomes at 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
In addition to my leadership on the HRA, I have remained steadfast in ensuring our county services are being delivered effectively and timely to meet the very pressing and dire needs of our most vulnerable community members. After receiving several residents’ complaints about the long processing times on their applications for food and cash assistance, I learned from county staff leaders that Ramsey County experienced an unprecedented amount of new applications due to the pandemic and also due to the State’s new MNbenefits online webpage, making it easier for residents to apply for assistance. This overwhelmed our system and required staff leaders to implement several changes within the department to decrease the backlog. We launched the Operational Statistics Dashboard to share weekly updates on the backlog and volumes of calls the center receives. I’m proud to share that as of today, the backlog has decreased by more than 80% since last year. This would not be possible without the hard work and diligence of county staff working together.
Additionally, we have made significant strides in workforce development, public safety reform, public transit, and public health initiatives. As these programs continue to be implemented, I will share updates on my social media channels and throughout my future newsletters.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the residents of District 6 for your active participation and support throughout last year. Your input and feedback have been invaluable and critical in shaping our county's policies and decisions. Together, we can continue to build a brighter and stronger community.
Sincerely,
Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong (District 6)
In 2023, the HRA allocated over $11 million of the HRA levy to strengthen funding for affordable housing and redevelopment efforts.
Emerging and Diverse Developers Program
 In 2023, we launched the Emerging and Diverse Developers program to address the barriers in real estate and to provide a fair and equal opportunity to completing the development process.
This program provides one-on-one technical assistance and cohort group learning to emerging and diverse developers interested in developing affordable housing. Eligible participants were individuals or entities that owned and/or developed no more than five housing properties in the last 10 years.
 In December, we approved 11 projects that will create or preserve affordable housing across Saint Paul, with several being on the East Side. The next round of solicitation will begin later in Fall 2024.
Learn more at Emerging and Diverse Developers Program.
 The future of the workforce is already here, and it's changing the way we think about employment, careers, and the workplace. Digital equity is key to better education, income potential, and social inclusion. Using information we collected with our Connectivity Blueprint evaluation, we are committed to harnessing the transformative power of technology to create a level playing field, especially in places like District 6 where many households live on low incomes and have limited access to the internet.
Ramsey County has a robust Workforce Solutions department that operates youth employment service programs for low-income youth and young adults ages 14-24. Together, we've made new strides in technology and digital equity that will benefit the East Side directly.
We've also worked to create greater access to the trades because we know that expertise in construction and trade industries can lead families to good-paying jobs, homeownership, and union benefits.
Milestone Tech Program
In 2023, we piloted the Milestone Tech Program using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. This eight-week certificate program provided young adults coursework to upgrade their skills in new technologies. After completing classes, the students participated in a four-month internship with employer partners, including United Healthcare, Mall of America, and Stearns Bank. Many went on to secure full-time work after the internships. All of the students came from underserved communities and earned their industry-recognized certifications in Information Technology (IT).
The Minnesota legislature, using Direct Appropriation funds, provided Ramsey County $950,000 to allow this program to graduate four cohorts through 2025!
Tech Squad Program
Ramsey County, like the rest of the state, is behind much of the country when it comes to diverse representation in IT. The nuances here are deep: only 1 in 4 Ramsey County residents of color have the connectivity they need in this post-pandemic world; only 5% of the IT workforce within Ramsey County are Black or African American and only 3% are Latinx. Yet, this industry is growing in high demand. We asked ourselves, how can we prepare our underserved youth to exceed in this industry while making internet and technology more accessible to our residents? Using that framework and with direct appropriations from the legislature, we created the Tech Squad program.
This program, which has since launched in January 2024, trains young adults from low-income census tracts in and outside of the East Side. The students complete internships, receiving IT Helpdesk Training certifications, and paid work experience. The squads will work in locations across Ramsey County to help residents of all ages with IT support, helping with tasks like setting up a new laptop, troubleshooting technology, and even connecting on social media.
East Side Summit 2023
 The East Side is on track to undergo rapid changes in all sectors of development, and I want our families to be ready to take on the rise of infrastructure jobs. In partnership with Workforce Solutions, City Councilmember Nelsie Yang, and Carpenters Local Union 322, we hosted the first-ever East Side Summit. Dozens of community members attended to learn more about apprenticeships, apply for job training opportunities, and tour the training facilities.
First Annual Building CommUnity Event
 In 2023, my office hosted the first East Side Building CommUnity event at the Arlington Hills Community Center.
Joined by Minnesota State Representative Liz Lee, former Saint Paul City Councilmember Jane Prince, Saint Paul City Councilmember Nelsie Yang, Saint Paul School Board Chair Jim Vue, and Saint Paul School Board Member Uriah Ward, community members filled the room to discuss the issues facing our neighborhoods. Staff from Congresswoman Betty McCollum's office, Governor Tim Walz's office, and State Senator Foung Hawj's office were also present and engaged in conversations with residents.
This event was the first of its kind bringing in city-, county-, and state-level officials to partner directly with community and solve problems in a more wholesome and effective way. We talked about copper wires being stolen from our streetlamps, homelessness and mental health, public education and free lunch for kids, and so much more.
 As an East Sider, it is my honor to serve as a county commissioner who works to ensure that we are heard, engaged, and INVESTED in. When neighbors, residents, and electeds come together to listen to one another, we have meaningful conversations that validate each other’s lived experiences and go on to shape policies.
 The East Side deserves better transit options! My priority is to secure more state and federal funds to reconstruct our roads, expand our transit network in the East Metro, and redesign our roads to make it safe for all of us.
By providing efficient and affordable transportation options, residents from all walks of life can access essential services, employment opportunities, and educational institutions. Major projects on the East Side include the Purple Line, Gold Line, and revitalization of Arcade Street.
Purple Line
Metro Transit is currently developing the Purple Line route, a bus rapid transit (BRT) line that will connect the Union Depot to Maplewood Mall transit center. Although originally planned to run north- and southbound on the Bruce Vento Trail Corridor, Metro Transit is exploring an alternative route that will use Maryland and White Bear avenues instead. The Federal Transit Administration is expected to cover nearly half of the entire cost. With the potential support of over $450 million in federal funds, the reconstruction required to establish the BRT route will result in a complete transformation of Maryland Avenue and White Bear Avenue that may otherwise never be possible.
Not only will the Purple Line better serve existing businesses and residents that currently use the corridor, but it also creates a safer White Bear Avenue for future residents that will reside or work in the new residential and commercial developments to come. For example, in 2023, Ramsey County granted $300,000 to fund the environmental clean up of The Heights on White Bear Avenue. Once complete, the development will bring in over 1,000 jobs and 1,000 new units to White Bear Avenue. Additionally, the HRA also granted over $400,000 to support the pre-development of GloryVille, a 2-acre lot on White Bear Avenue that will bring in over 25,000 square feet of commercial space and three stories of affordable rental housing, with anticipation that at least 87 units will be designated for households earning 60% AMI or less.
The current state of White Bear Avenue is not in a safe condition, and the addition of thousands of residents, bikers, customers, and the dozens of businesses over the years will add increased use of this corridor. We have the opportunity, now, to ensure we shape the design and route of the Purple Line. To get involved, provide feedback to MetroTransit today.
Gold Line
 In April 2023, the Ramsey County Board voted to secure $239 million in federal funding to build the Gold Line. Construction has been ongoing. In fact, if you've seen big construction on the side of I-94... that's the Gold Line!
As Minnesota's first BRT line, this 10-mile project will run alongside I-94 and connect Saint Paul to Woodbury. It will run seven days a week with buses coming and going every 10 to 15 minutes, connecting riders to the Green Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) line, the proposed Purple Line, Riverview corridors, and other arterial BRT lines. The Gold Line will serve the 13% of corridor households that do not have an automobile and the 16% who live in poverty.
In November 2023, the Bielenberg Drive bridge was completed and opened for use. The bridge has dedicated lanes for the Gold Line buses, vehicles and pedestrian facilities, and will provide direct connection between Woodbury and Oakdale.
Please note that this project is ongoing through 2024 with service beginning in 2025.
2024 Housing Development Solicitation
 Private developers, nonprofits and local governmental entities have an opportunity to apply for funding for new or existing housing projects that aim to increase and/or preserve affordable units for residents across Ramsey County. Local and federal funds are offered in a consolidated application through a competitive solicitation process. Priority is given to projects that include deeply affordable units at 30% Area Median Income (AMI) and commit to long-term affordability.
Responses are due March 15.
Learn more at Affordable Housing Infrastructure Investments.
Opioid Response Community Grants
Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health has multiple grants available for community-led organizations whose work addresses the opioid crisis. The Opioid Response Community Grants program will invest up to $1,000,000 in grants for organizations whose work aligns with the county’s Opioid Response Initiative priority areas.
Grants are available for organizations whose work addresses the following priority areas:
-
Pregnant people, parents and babies: Four grants up to $55,000 each will be awarded.
-
Culturally-specific approaches for treatment and recovery: Four grants up to $55,000 each will be awarded.
-
Health education, awareness and outreach focused on prevention: Four grants up to $50,000 each will be awarded.
-
Treatment and support for people involved in the justice system: Four grants up to $40,000 each will be awarded in this priority area.
-
Education and engagement with young people: Four grants up to $50,000 each will be awarded.
All applications for the Opioid Response Community Grant program must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on March 1st.
Find more information at ramseycounty.us/OpioidGrants.
Ramsey County Means Business
Did you know that we have a site solely dedicated to helping Ramsey County residents in business? Ramsey County Community & Economic Development has a useful Incentives Dashboard that serves as a one-stop spot for grants and funding opportunities across Saint Paul and other Ramsey County cities.
My office has directed several constituents to our Open to Business program, which provides technical assistance and other forms of support to small business owners and entrepreneurs for FREE. At no cost, you can receive help in business plan development, financing projections, city and state licenses, loan packaging, and more! These services are provided in partnership with the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, which also offers capital loan services for qualifying businesses.
Service Centers
Ramsey County has several Service Center locations and five community partner sites that provide Navigator services. A Navigator is a county staff member that helps residents access a wide range of services and programs including financial assistance services, social services, employment assistance, and voter registration.
For more information about the service centers, click here: Service Centers | Ramsey County
To submit a Service Center Navigator Referral Form for yourself or for another person, click here: Service Center Navigators Referral Form | Ramsey County
Winter Warming Spaces
 Additionally, our Winter Warming Spaces will be open every night through March 31, 2024. Free transportation is provided. If you are in need of or would like to refer someone to a place to warm-up overnight, call 651-266-1050 or email ColdWeatherReferrals@ramseycounty.us. Ramsey County staff are available from 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. to help refer people to the nearest warming space or extra available shelter beds. Additional warming space locations will be added as needed.
Bridge to Benefits
The Children's Defense Fund Minnesota has a useful Bridge to Benefits tool that connects people to public work support programs and tax credits. You can use this tool as a guidelines to determine what programs you may be eligible for. |
