Ramsey County, Minnesota sent this bulletin at 08/22/2025 12:49 PM CDT
Serving residents in the following east Saint Paul neighborhoods: Eastview, Conway, Battle Creek, Highwood, Greater East Side, and most of Payne-Phalen and Dayton’s Bluff.
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.
Ramsey County Means Business provides a central hub for businesses and job seekers. It provides access to financial incentives and hands-on business support while acting as the first stop for site selectors searching for community information and available sites.
The Ramsey County Children's Mental Health Collaborative provides FREE services to families with children and teenagers struggling with mental health. There are also several resources available online.
Ramsey County's own Mental Health Center provides short-term and ongoing care.
For immediate care, our mobile crisis team provides stabilization services, de-escalation, crisis intervention, mental health assessments and initial crisis plans. Call the 24/7 crisis line at 651-266-7900.
Stay connected with Commissioner Xiong by following her on Facebook and Linkedin.
Dear Neighbors,
This week, County Manager Ling Becker and I had the honor of being selected as honorees of HAP's 35 Leaders Over 35 Years award. It is deeply humbling to be recognized alongside so many trailblazers who have shaped opportunities for our communities over the past three and a half decades. For me, this moment is a reminder of the sacrifices and vision of the first generation of Hmong leaders who paved the way so that the generations after would have more access to opportunities and prosperity.
However, this work is not done. As your commissioner, I have the core responsibility to ensure that our county budget reflects the priorities and values of our residents. That's why I am inviting you and our District 6 neighbors to join me on Thursday, September 4 at 5:30 p.m. at Sun Ray Library.
The programs and services residents use, such as medical assistance, transportation, public safety, health care, libraries, and even waste management, are shaped by the choices we make in our budget. That’s why I want to make sure this process is more open and transparent, so you can see how your input directly influences the investments we make.
As we prepare this year’s budget, we know that possible federal cuts and policy changes could impact programs many families count on. That’s why your feedback is so important by guiding us in safeguarding and prioritizing the services our community values most. Please save and share the flyer below, and I hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Mai Chong Xiong
SAVE THE DATE: September 4, 2025 - District 6 Discussion on the Ramsey County Budget
The County Manager will present the budget to the Board and public on September 2, 2025, which is also the first day of Saint Paul Public Schools. To accommodate this, the public board meeting will start at 9:30 a.m. County Board budget hearings are scheduled for September 17, 18, 19, and 22, with the first public hearing taking place on September 22. The Board will set the maximum property tax levy on September 23.
As briefly shared above, I had the honor of receiving HAP's 35 Leaders Over 35 Years award. For 35 years, HAP has been a pillar of strength and opportunity for Hmong and Southeast Asian communities. With a nearly $20 million annual budget, HAP has built a powerful network of programs and services that help families find housing, secure jobs, access education, improve health, and strengthen cultural pride.
County Manager Becker and I were joined by other East Side leaders who received the award, including Saint Paul City Council Members Cheniqua Johnson and Nelsie Yang.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to HAP for this recognition, and for their decades of dedication to uplifting our community and building pathways of opportunity for the next generation.
County Funding Streams Presentation
At this week’s meeting, we received a presentation on where Ramsey County’s funding comes from and how it is invested back into our community. The 2025 county budget totals nearly $872 million, with the largest share supported by property taxes. Additional funding comes from state and federal aid, service fees (like parks, courts, and public health), and other revenue sources.
We also reviewed special local levies that make key investments in our future. These include the Regional Rail Authority levy, which supports bus rapid transit and Union Depot operations; the Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy, which funds affordable housing, down payment assistance, and redevelopment programs; and the half-percent sales tax for transportation, which helps us improve roads, sidewalks, bike paths, and transit.
Understanding where our county dollars come from and how they’re used is essential to making sure our budget reflects the values of our residents. Watch the board presentation here.
The Heights: Going Platinum!
The Heights has been named LEED Platinum for Communities!
“Saint Paul’s Greater East Side is a vibrant mosaic of cultures and hardworking families that has for too long been overlooked,” said Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong. “This LEED Platinum certification proves what’s possible when neighbors, partners, and government unite. We create opportunity, spark investment, and grow a future rooted in equity and sustainability. The Heights is living proof of that transformation.”
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.
The St. Paul Public Housing Agency (St. Paul PHA) is now accepting online applications for Multifamily Housing apartments with 0-5 bedrooms and for scattered site homes and duplexes with 5-bedrooms beginning on July 21, 2025 and continuing until further notice.
The Public Housing Program provides homes with reduced rent (based on income) to households with low incomes.
We are pleased to share that Ramsey County’s Re-imagination Resource Center initiative is looking for local business community organizations (BCOs) who provide resources, training, or mentoring to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
BCOs may apply for grants lasting two years awarding approximately up to $150,000 per year, however, final awards will depend on the evaluation of eligible applications. Ramsey County anticipates awarding up to $2M in total grants.
The following are not requirements. However, these organizations are encouraged to apply:
Organizations with a primary office in the local community they serve.
Organizations with a demonstrated understanding of the unique needs of Ramsey County.
Organizations with an annual operating budget below $1M.
Ramsey County invites you to apply for CEO Next, a dynamic peer-learning program designed for business leaders ready to take their companies to the next level. This program brings together CEOs to address the challenges of scaling and provides access to high-quality research and expert support.
Through a partnership with Dakota, Scott and Hennepin counties, CEO Next is available at no cost to individuals leading companies with annual revenues over $1 million and between 10 to 99 employees. Get more details and apply at ramseycounty.us/CEONext.
Applications due August 30, 2025.
Ramsey County – Climate Storytelling Project
Climate Change Storytelling – Connecting climate data to Ramsey County residents’ experience
Are you a Ramsey County resident with a climate change related story you’re willing to share? Join Ramsey County’s Climate & Health team in helping to connect personal stories to highlight climate change impacts on health. Participants will video record their stories and share about their individual experiences with climate change impacts and/or climate change action they are taking in their communities. These can relate to extreme heat, extreme cold, flooding, poor air quality, change on ecosystems, climate migration or related stories. These videos will be published along with Ramsey County’s 2025 update to the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment.
Commitment & Compensation:
Meet at least once with Climate & Health team to flesh out story.
Attend recording day in the fall.
At every meeting or for time taken to develop story, participants receive a $25 gift card.
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:
Call the location for assistance or personalized directions
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.
Earl Street Reconstruction
The City of Saint Paul will reconstruct Earl Street between Maryland Avenue and Burns Avenue in 2026 and 2027. Phase 1 - Earl Street from Maryland Avenue to Minnehaha Avenue will be constructed in 2026 and Phase 2 - Minnehaha Avenue to Burns Avenue will be constructed in 2027.
This is a full reconstruction, meaning it will completely rebuild the road. It will include work on water and sewer, land grading, adding curbs and gutters, improving drainage, paving the street, installing signs and lights, landscaping, and improving the sidewalks and bikeway connections.
