Dear neighbors,
Pictured above, the Metropolitan Council received $4 million from the federal government to invest in the construction and preservation of affordable housing. As Chair of Ramsey County’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority, I was honored to share that Ramsey County would be receiving $1.4M of the grant to invest in the affordable housing units to those making 30% of the area median income or below. For our region, that is $26,000 or less. We thank our Ramsey County's Community and Economic Development team and our partners for submitting and obtaining this grant!
Additionally, I am also excited to share that I have been selected as one of the two representatives from the Association of Minnesota Counties to the State’s Task Force on Long-Term Sustainability of Affordable Housing. This task force’s charge is to provide recommendations relating to affordable housing sustainability, including displacement of tenants, preservation of housing previously developed with public financing, and long-term sustainability of new housing developments. I am eager learn, share, and expand the critical work of preserving and expanding affordable housing in our state.
Last month, the HRA also moved forward with Critical Corridor awards and Environmental Response Funds. These investments are crucial in revitalizing key urban areas, addressing environmental contamination, and promoting sustainable development. By targeting critical corridor developments, the HRA aims to enhance connectivity, support economic growth, and improve the quality of life for residents. The Environmental Response Funds will facilitate the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites, ensuring that these areas are safe and ready for new, beneficial uses. Together, these initiatives represent a strategic approach to fostering resilient and thriving communities.
Sincerely,
Mai Chong Xiong
Ramsey County Commissioner (District 6)
 Ramsey County declared June 2024 as Pride Month to recognize the history of the Gay Rights liberation and ongoing efforts within the county to create a safe and inclusive workplace culture for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and two spirit Ramsey County employees and allies.
We also greatly invested in our regional parks, homelessness prevention and assistance, and our Urban Agriculture Program. As the Chair of the County HRA, I am proud to also share news about our awards in Environmental Response Funds and Critical Corridors grants.
Board Action: Partnership with the Hmong Tuj Lub Association of Minnesota to Construct Tuj Lub and Sepak Tekraw Courts
 Through the Metropolitan Council's Equity Grant Program, the Board voted in favor of a partnership with the Hmong Tuj Lub Association of Minnesota to invest $200,000 in tuj lub and sepak takraw courts at Keller Regional Park.
Tuj lub is a traditional Hmong top-spinning game that incorporates elements of strategy, precision, and timing. Sepak takraw, or "foot volleyball," is a Southeast Asian sport that combines elements of soccer, volleyball, and even gymnastics, using a rattan ball that players kick over a net with their feet, knees, chest, and head.
Existing tuj lub courts will be significantly improved, and sepak takraw courts will be added. With these additions, Keller Lake Regional Park is set to have the most premiere courts in the Metro Area.
To secure a spot on the Tuj Lub courts at Keller Regional Park, reservations can be made by contacting 651-266-0300. The City of Saint Paul has free sepak takraw courts, including an outdoor location at Marydale Park.
Residents may be interested in learning more about Ramsey County's Parks & Recreation by reviewing the 2023 - 2024 State of the Parks Report or watching the previous recording.
Board Action: Accepted over $3 million for Homeless Prevention and Assistance Services
We approved a grant agreement with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) to expand the Minnesota's Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP). MHFA awarded Ramsey County $3.2 million, in addition to a previous award of $6.5 million, for a total of $9.8 million. In this round, seven organizations were selected as award recipients:
- American Indian Family Center
- Merrick Community Services
- Minnesota Community Care
- Neighborhood House
- Solid Ground
- YMCA
These investments are incremental investments that in the next coming decades will transform how residents receive basic needs and services here in Ramsey County. I am excited to share that several of the seven organizations operate directly within District 6!
Board Action: Accepted $345,000 to Expand Urban Agriculture Program and Environmental Initiatives
We accepted $345,000 from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BSWR) to invest in Ramsey Countys' Soil and Water Conservation division (SWCD). The funding will be used to expand our Urban Agriculture Program, increase sustainable forest management, and expand initiatives in private gardens, community gardens, and urban farms. A portion of funds will also be used to support youth development programs with partner organizations.
(July) Board Action: Accepted $4 Million for Construction of Bruce Vento Regional Trail
Although this board action occurred in June, I do want to share that the Phase 1 Bruce Vento Regional Trail Extension will be receiving $4 million in federal funding. The overall project budget for the Phase 1 construction project is estimated at $10,000,000. The project budget is comprised of $4,000,000 in federal funding administered by MnDOT federal aid, $5,000,000 in state funding administered through a Metropolitan Council grant agreement, and $1,000,000 in local county funding. Overall, 90% of the estimated construction funding needed is being provided with federal and state funds. Ramsey County local match funding in the amount of $1,000,000 comprises 10% of the estimated funding that is needed to complete this phase of the project.
Learn more about the Phase 1 design project here: Bruce Vento Regional Trail Extension – Buerkle Road to Whitaker Street | Ramsey County.
HRA: Approved Spring 2024 Critical Corridors Projects
As HRA Chair, I approved the use of $156,500 of levy funds to support four housing and redevelopment projects. The Critical Corridors programs were created in 2022 to enact three key strategies from the Economic Competitiveness & Inclusion Plan that address these needs: (1) fostering inclusive economic development -
including affordable housing -- within county transit, economic, and cultural corridors; (2) developing pathways to entrepreneurship and business ownership in racially and ethnically diverse communities; and (3) supporting communities in equitable site development.
Critical Corridors funds (1) Planning and (2) Commercial Corridor Initiatives. Planning recipients are:
- Rice Street Corridor, District 6 Planning: $50,000
- Little Mekong Market Sustainable Stormwater Management, Asian Economic Development Association: $50,000
- City Center Northeast Quadrant Small Area Plan, City of Vadnais Heights: $25,000
The Commercial Corridor Initiative recipient is Foundations of Belonging: Building Community Spirit and Connection in Little Canada, City of Little Canada: $31,500.
HRA: Authorized Environmental Response Funds Awards
Redevelopment in Ramsey County often means addressing legacy environmental issues or “brownfields." An Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grant program provides resources to offset the cost of environmental assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites.
The recommended projects are all located in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency environmental justice areas of concern and also represent significant place-based investments in racially and ethnically diverse communities.
I authorized awards to the following organizations:
- 892 East 7th Street (Project for Pride in Living, Inc.): $24,084
- Ain Dah Young Center Shelter Rehabilitation: $83,100
- Gloryville: $200,000
- East End Apartments (JB Vang): $200,000
The next round of applications is expected to open in Fall 2024.
A Ramsey County District Court judge ruled that struck down most of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) court order that limited Northern Iron's operating hours and melting quantities to lower emissions. However, Northern Iron must immediately install new pollution capture equipment and regularly submit monthly reports to the MPCA on its operations, including reports on levels of lead.
The MPCA intends to submit a motion to dismiss the legal action and to reinstate the administrative order at the next court date, August 22, 2024. Read the latest statement from the MPCA here: Northern Iron court ruling allows for regular operations (govdelivery.com).
The Saint Paul Port Authority's report include ongoing updates. Ivy Ave remains closed starting at Orange Ave E with limited access to driveways during work hours, and there are lane shifts along McKnight Road between Hoyt Ave and Nebraska Ave.
Grading crews will continue mass grading throughout the project site. You may also notice that retaining walls will be removed and additional grading will occur on the east side of McKnight Road.
See the latest video: The Heights 10 June 2024 (youtube.com)
Arcade and Neid Street Station
Metro Transit is in the process of its Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) feasibility analysis at Arcade and Neid. The site redevelopment feasibility study may result in an alternative station location and design. This study is ongoing as staff continue to develop the design options. Staff are working with project partners to determine if the project should add a new trail to bettre connect LEAP High School to Neid Lane while also possibly accommodating plans to daylight the Lower Phalen Creek. For more information, please see the concept renderings.
White Bear Ave Alternative
Staff are still collecting public feedback as to whether the Purple Line should run along Bruce Vento Regional Trail or White Bear Avenue. Provide your feedback or learn more at an upcoming community event!
Upcoming Meetings
IN-PERSON MEETINGS
Maplewood YMCA Community Center
Wednesday, July 17, 5–7 p.m.
- 2100 White Bear Ave.,
- Maplewood, MN 55109
- Heritage Banquet Room D
Hazel Park Recreation Center
Tuesday, July 30, 5–7 p.m.
- 945 Hazel St. N, St. Paul, MN 55119
Come and go anytime. There will be no formal presentations during the in-person meetings.
VIRTUAL MEETING
Microsoft Teams Meeting
Wednesday, August 14, noon–1:30 p.m.
- Meeting link will be available here in advance of the meeting.
Upcoming Events
Dragon Festival
Saturday, July 13, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Phalen Lake
- 1600 Phalen Dr., St. Paul, MN 55106
Maplewood Celebrate Summer
Wednesday, July 24, 6–7:30 p.m.
- Upper Afton Park
- 63 N. Sterling, Maplewood, MN 55119
National Night Out
Multiple locations in the community
Tuesday, August 6
Maplewood Celebrate Summer
Wednesday, August 21, 6–7:30 p.m.
- Edgerton Park
- 2001 Edgerton St. N., Maplewood, MN 55109
Can’t make the meetings?
View more information about the evaluation of the two corridors via the Community Meeting Boards and provide your feedback now through August 30, 2024 on the interactive map and survey.
Please read this excerpt from County Manager Johanna Berg regarding the county's latest updates on discharging racial covenants:
About two years ago, the county board voted to join the Just Deeds coalition in an effort to highlight the importance of discharging and releasing historical racial covenants on property records. This vote also exempted residents from paying a filing fee in order to discharge a restrictive covenant.
Discriminatory covenants are clauses embedded in housing titles that explicitly prevent homeowners from selling their property to people of a certain race, religion, creed or other protected class. These covenants were once used to keep people of color from buying houses in many Minnesota neighborhoods and have resulted in a century of segregated communities.
Though we have made great progress thus far, there are still more than 5,000 restrictive covenants to be discharged. This month, county employees will collaborate with a door-to-door approach to distribute additional information and continue to work with our cities and community members to advance this important work.
Note that these covenants are unenforceable, and homeowners can discharge them free of charge. Find out if your home or property has racial covenants and take action to removing them by visiting our link: Discharging Racial Covenants.
The application period for the Small Business Cohort in East Side Saint Paul hosted by Twin Cities Local Initiatives Support Corp and Rooted Philanthropic is now open!
The Small Business Cohort aims to support entrepreneurs by growing their social capital and business mindset through a series of workshops and learning opportunities, as well as access to capital. We are excited to invite applications from entrepreneurs and small business owners who share our commitment to advancing the economic ecosystem on the East Side of Saint Paul.
Key details about the cohort application process:
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Application Deadline: August 2, 2024, at 5:00pm Central Time
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Eligibility Criteria: Live in East Side of Saint Paul, Work in East Side of Saint Paul or Children attends school in East Side of Saint Paul
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Application Guidelines: Must show proof of one year in operation, current with Minnesota Secretary of State, be in operation for the next 4 years and committed to attending each course, provide updates semiannually to Rooted Philanthropic on your business operations.
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Subject Areas: Personal Finance, Business Finance, Business Planning, Digital Marketing, Business Relations, Leadership, Business Operations and Family Business
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Compensation: $200 stipend will be provided each workshop attended by cohort members; a total of $1,600 stipend can be obtained by attending all workshops. In addition, at the end of the 8 training sessions, each cohort member will have the ability to apply for up to $20,000 in a grant towards their business operations. A total of up to $21,600 could be earned for each entrepreneur who gets selected and completes this workshop series.
If you believe you’re eligible and your business operations align with our mission, we encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.
Please visit the Small Business Cohort Application link or our website Now Accepting Applications for the Small Business Cohort to access the application form and learn more about the submission requirements.
If you have questions or concerns, please email vong@rootedphilanthropic.org.
Ramsey County provides a large range of services.
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
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.
Sign up to contract with Ramsey County!
The county acquires goods and services through a cost-effective, competitive and fair process accessible to all businesses. The county seeks vendors who share its commitment to equal opportunity, diversity and inclusiveness. Vendors interested in providing goods and/or services to the county and its residents must first register to use DemandStar, an internet purchasing network. DemandStar offers immediate and automatic notification of purchasing opportunities with the county, solicitation documents and results, and prior solicitation information. Subscribing to DemandStar is free.
Bids and RFPs are provided online via DemandStar. View what procurement opportunities are available by visiting our Ramsey County Procurement site.
Questions or comments about doing business with Ramsey County? Contractors, business owners and community members can email or call the Purchasing and Contracting Service Desk and connect directly with our staff.
Phone: 651-266-PACT (7228) from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Email: pachelp@co.ramsey.mn.us |
