 Dear neighbors,
Next week, Ramsey County will begin its 2026-2027 County Budget Discussions with a presentation from County Manager Ling Becker. Here, the Board of Commissioners will have the opportunity to review and discuss the 2026-27 budget for the first time. Please note that this public hearing begins at 9:30AM to accommodate Saint Paul Public Schools district's first day of school.
To engage with District 6 residents, I am hosting a public discussion about the county budget at Sun Ray Library on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. to share more about the budget process and to, most importantly, consult with community about what our concerns and priorities are as we head into unprecedented times.
Although the Board of Commissioners makes the final decision in December, your ideas and concerns will shape what I champion. I want to know what services you rely on, what outcomes matter most, where we should protect funding, and where we can be more efficient. Some pieces are set by law or contract, like state and federal mandates, labor agreements, debt service, and previously approved obligations. However, community input will help inform our discussions on priorities, including service levels, when investments might occur, and how resources align with equity and measurable outcomes.
I hope you’ll join me for this conversation and add your perspective. Save and share the flyer below, and please consider registering so that our office may better prepare for a smooth event. Register for the District 6 budget discussion here.
Sincerely,
Mai Chong Xiong
 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. View the budget schedule here.
 Photo: Elizabeth Flores / Star Tribune.
Our nation is grieving after the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, August 27. As Hennepin's neighboring county, we hold the families, classmates, educators, parish community, and first responders in our thoughts. May we meet this moment with compassion, care, and steadiness for one another.
If you would like to help donate to the church, you may contribute to the Annunciation Hope and Healing Fund | Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota.
If you or your family need mental health support, help is available 24/7 for adults and children.
- Under 18 years old? Call the Children's Mental Health Crisis Line: 651-266-7878
- Over 18 years old? Call the Adult Mental Health Crisis Line: 651-266-7900
- Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org
- If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
 I am incredibly grateful to be named SPAAR’s August 2025 Realtor® Champion of the Month. Thank you, Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS, for uplifting our shared work to ensure Ramsey County families have stable, affordable places to call home. Homeownership is a path to stability and generational wealth, and we still have gaps to close. I remain committed to adding homes across incomes, protecting renters, supporting first-time buyers, and investing in our neighborhoods.
To the realtors who help families put down roots every day: thank you. Let’s keep building together.
Critical Corridors Development + Infrastructure: Applications open Sept. 2
 Ramsey County’s Critical Corridors Development & Infrastructure program is opening a new funding round to support inclusive redevelopment and public infrastructure in our transit, economic, and cultural corridors. Projects should use land efficiently, create compact and walkable places, and connect residents to housing, jobs, retail, and services.
Application window: Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025 through 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 (CT)
Downtown Saint Paul is now eligible for Critical Corridors funding.
How to apply: We are moving to a new application portal: Neighborly. ZoomGrants will no longer be used.
Who can apply
- Developers (for-profit and nonprofit)
- Government agencies and related development authorities
Available funding
- Up to $500,000 per project
- Project completion within two years of award
- Depending on the project, funding may be offered as a loan rather than a grant.
Emerging and Diverse Developers (EDD) Solicitation open Sept. 8
 Ramsey County will begin accepting applications for the 2025 Emerging and Diverse Developers (EDD) Solicitation on Sept. 8, 2025, for the acquisition, rehabilitation and the construction of affordable housing units. This exclusive solicitation is for developers with less than 25 units of housing and/or 15,000 sq. ft of commercial space.
Responses are due by 5 p.m. Oct. 31, 2025.
Applications must be submitted via Neighborly and have all required components to be eligible for review. All proposed housing developments must include units at/or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) and the overall average of rental limits must be at or below 80%. Technical assistance will be offered through NEOO Partners LLC starting Sept. 8, 2025.
Join us for an in-person informational session for the 2025 Emerging Diverse Developers solicitation. This is for individuals interested in housing and community development with less than 25 units of housing or 15,000 sq. ft of commercial space.
Session 1 Sept. 3 3-5 p.m. Roseville Ramsey County Library 2180 Hamline Ave N Roseville,MN 55113
Session 2 Sept. 18 4-6 p.m. Rondo Community Library 461 N. Dale Street Saint Paul, MN
Environmental Response Fund: Applications open Sept. 15
 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.
Who can apply?
Local governmental organizations, developers, for-profit and not‐for‐profit organizations are eligible for ERF grants. ERF grants are not available to non-local government responsible parties.
How to apply: Applicants who are requesting funds for building demolition/deconstruction must submit a detailed waste management plan (PDF). Applicants must also provide a letter or resolution of support from the relevant local unit of government.
Before applying, please contact Community & Economic Development to discuss your project and application requirements.
September information sessions
Learn about county, regional, and state brownfield grant options at one of these in-person sessions:
Session 1 Time: 2–3 p.m. Date: Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 Location: Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., Plymouth, MN 55447
Session 2 Time: 9–10 a.m. Date: Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025 Location: Inver Grove Heights City Hall, Council Chambers, 8150 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
CEO Next Business Institute
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.
Minnesota Humanities Center Grant Opportunities
The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC), by virtue of funding provided by the Minnesota Legislature, will be making several humanities grant opportunities available in the next two weeks.
The following grant opportunities will be available:
- $3,000,000 to support cultural festivals and events for organizations and local governments,
- $600,000 to organizations responding to crisis and emergencies,
- $1,500,000 to Children’s Museums, and
- $1,500,000 to organizations to support Museums, Exhibits, and Collections.
Learn more here: Grants - Minnesota Humanities Center
Rooted Philanthropic 2025 East Side Small Business Cohort Program Now Open
In collaboration with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation – Twin Cities, Rooted Philanthropic is excited to announce that the application portal for the 2025 Small Business Cohort is still OPEN!
This two-year program is designed to equip small business owners located in East Side Saint Paul with the tools and support needed to strengthen and grow their operations for long-term success.
Benefits for selected participants include:
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Up to $800 stipend for workshop attendance
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$20,000 grant to support your business
- Access to legal, accounting, and marketing services valued at $30,000
- A dedicated business mentor for one year
That's a total investment of over $50,000 per business in the 2025 cohort!
Due to the highly competitive process only 5 businesses will be selected in 2025.
If you're ready to take your business to the next level, we encourage you to learn more and apply here: https://rootedphilanthropic.org/news/2025-east-side-saint-paul-small-business-cohort-application-is-now-open/
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.
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.
Learn more here.
Saint Paul PHA Waitlists Now Open
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.
Learn more here. |
