 Dear Neighbors,
As Chair of the Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), I’m proud to share that this week, we voted to approve the Spring 2025 Obligation of Housing and Redevelopment Authority Levy Toward Critical Corridors! These awards are a major step to support economic vitality, racial equity, and community resilience across our county. These six projects, totaling $300,000 in funding, are made possible by your County HRA levy and reflect our commitment to equitable, community-rooted development.
These investments advance inclusive growth in both urban and suburban areas of Ramsey County. I’m excited to highlight the projects we funded through this action:
Planning Projects ($200,000 total):
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African American Cultural Corridor – Rondo Community Land Trust ($50,000)
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Snelling and University Vision Plan – Union Park District Council ($50,000)
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Como/Front/Dale Urban Design Framework – North End Neighborhood Organization ($50,000)
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New Brighton Town Center Vision – City of New Brighton ($50,000)
Commercial Corridor Initiatives ($100,000 total):
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Rice Street Corridor Business and Community Investment – Rice and Larpenteur Alliance ($50,000)
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Downtown Economic Vibrancy – City of White Bear Lake ($50,000)
From revitalizing the historic Selby Avenue in Saint Paul to supporting downtown vibrancy in White Bear Lake, these projects represent our shared vision of thriving, connected neighborhoods. Each initiative was selected not just for its economic potential, but for its alignment with community values, such as affordability, racial equity, and sustainability.
While these particular investments are funded through our County HRA levy, other essential housing and community development work in Ramsey County relies on federal support from programs like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. Unfortunately, these programs are once again at risk, as President Trump has signaled renewed efforts to eliminate them.
Cuts to CDBG and HOME would threaten affordable housing and neighborhood investments that many families depend on. That’s why we must continue to advocate for these federal programs even as we maximize the impact of our local levy.
Let’s keep working together to build a Ramsey County that is prosperous, inclusive, and prepared for the future.
In partnership,
Mai Chong Xiong
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We’ve officially launched our monthly in-person and virtual office hours! |
 Whether you prefer to connect face-to-face or from the comfort of your home, we’re here to meet you where you are. If our scheduled times don’t work for you, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to find a time that does.
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Ramsey County’s push for legislation to create an Economic Development Authority (EDA) has PASSED both the Minnesota House and Senate floors. Now, it awaits Governor Walz' signature.
For the first time, cities across our county will have the choice to use existing HRA levy funds to invest not only in affordable housing, but in the small businesses, job creation, and neighborhood revitalization efforts that make housing truly sustainable.
Let’s be clear: this doesn’t raise the levy! It raises our impact. Housing is not a standalone investment. It’s deeply connected to economic opportunity, and now we have the tools to act on that truth.
Thank you to every city, community partner, and advocate who stood with us, including Minnesota State and Local Government Chair Senator Tou Xiong, Minnesota State Government Finance and Policy Co-Chairs Representatives Ginny Klevorn and Jim Nash, and the original bill sponsors, Chief Authors Senator Foung Hawj and Representative Liz Lee for moving the bill through the legislature. We are looking forward to Governor Walz' support in to make the future of Ramsey County more flexible, more responsive, and more inclusive.
As part of my continued efforts to address environmental justice on the East Side, my office has convened a joint discussion with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and our Public Health Department to improve outreach and engagement with impacted residents.
We focused on coordinating targeted efforts around soil testing, air quality monitoring, and access to lead testing programs. Our goal is to ensure families not only have the data they need but also the support to take protective action.
Following that meeting, our Public Health department is leading several upcoming efforts:
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Soil Testing (SoilSHOP): Join us on July 15 at the East Side YMCA for the Soil Testing & Healthy Homes Expo! In partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), we are organizing a Soil Screening, Health, Outreach, and Partnership (SoilSHOP) event this summer. Residents will be able to bring soil from their gardens or yards to be tested for lead, free of charge.
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Indoor Soot Advocacy: We are working to advocate for independent third-party indoor soot testing. Many residents have reported black soot entering their homes, and while outdoor contamination has been documented, there has yet to be coordinated testing of indoor exposure. We are initiating conversations with MPCA and continuing to engage MDH on this critical health concern.
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HEPA Vacuum Rentals & Soil Remediation: Through a new partnership with the Minnesota Tool Library, Ramsey County is developing a no-cost HEPA vacuum rental program to help residents reduce indoor lead dust. Additional remediation efforts include raised garden bed support and free food-scrap compost for impacted households.
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Education and Outreach: Ramsey County staff will be present at the SoilSHOP event to deliver in-person education and distribute customized materials about soil contamination, gardening safety, and lead exposure. Public Health is also compiling a full suite of fact sheets and resources in multiple languages to distribute through our outreach team.
More details will be shared as these programs are finalized. In the meantime, our office remains committed to making sure East Side families have access to science-based health protections, multilingual outreach, and meaningful agency accountability.
The Saint Paul Children's Collaborative plans to award approximately $2 million to community organizations targeting services to young people experiencing gaps in opportunities and outcomes included in our Youth Outcomes Plan.
The average grant amount in previous years was approximately $115,000 total over a two-year grant period, but SPCC does not have a minimum or maximum grant amount. Grant funds may only be used to support direct services to young people and families living in Saint Paul.
Deadline is 5:00 p.m. CST on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Our Work: Grant-Making - Saint Paul Children's Collaborative
We are excited to announce that the 2025 Housing Development Solicitation is now OPEN!
Eligible projects in the 2025 Solicitation will include:
- The new construction of affordable rental housing
- The acquisition and rehabilitation of rental housing
- The preservation and rehabilitation of existing affordable housing
- The acquisition/rehabilitation or construction of affordable owner-occupied housing.
An online information webinar will be held on May 1, 2025. Applications are due May 29. Learn more at www.ramseycounty.us/housinginvestments.
Please email askCED@co.ramsey.mn.us with any questions!
Accessing Arcade Street during Construction
Yes, Arcade Street is currently under construction, but businesses remain open and accessible!
We recognize that road work can make travel more difficult, and we appreciate your patience and continued support. Local businesses and services are still here for you, and your efforts to visit and support them during this time mean a great deal.
Here’s how you can stay connected and plan your visit:
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Call the location for assistance or personalized directions
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Check current road closures at 511mn.org
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Sign up for project updates at MnDOT’s webpage: mndot.gov/metro/projects/e7th-arcade
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Use nearby side streets for parking and access in closure areas
Thank you for showing up for our local businesses and neighbors. Your commitment helps keep our community strong through every phase of improvement.
Seeking Volunteers for Ramsey County Advisory Boards and Committees
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners is currently seeking individuals to serve on various advisory boards and committees.
Details about these opportunities are listed below. Interested applicants may apply online. View more information and access online application.
Community Health Services Advisory Committee (CHSAC)
Community Health Services Advisory Committee advises the Ramsey County Board and the Saint Paul City Council on public health programs and services, actively participates in policy development, determining community health needs and engages in public health advocacy.
For questions regarding CHSAC, please contact Cathy St.Michel.
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Ramsey County Parks & Recreation Commission advises the Parks & Recreation department and Ramsey County Board of Commissioners on matters relating to the planning, development and operation of the county's parks, trails, open space and recreation facilities.
For questions regarding Parks and Recreation Commission, please contact Angie Marlette or Mark McCabe.
Personnel Review Board
Board members' duties include: to hear disciplinary appeals by veterans relating to discharge or suspension to review other disciplinary appeals after an Administrative Law Judge has heard them to hear non-disciplinary appeals and to review the Human Resources department as directed by the county board.
For questions about the Personnel Review Board, please contact Molly Hoffman.
Ramsey County Charter Commission
- 1 vacancy for each of the following districts: District 2, District 4, District 6, and District 7.
The Charter Commission is a 17-member body responsible for maintaining Ramsey County's Home Rule Charter.
The charter is like the constitution for county government, spelling out its duties and responsibilities. Ramsey County is the only one of Minnesota's 87 counties to be governed by home rule - all others are governed by state laws.
The commission's duty is to periodically review the charter and propose necessary amendments and recommends proposals from the public. The commission has the authority to submit proposed amendments to an election.
For questions about the Ramsey County Charter Commission, please contact Chief Clerk.
Click here to apply today!
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