 May 2026
As we enter May, I’m reminded of the many ways our workforce landscape continues to grow stronger through partnership, innovation and community connection. This month brings several important moments of recognition: American Indian Month, Tech Month, Hire a Vet Month and National Mental Health Awareness Month. Each of these highlights the diverse talents and experiences that contribute to a vibrant Ramsey County economy.
In this issue, you’ll find updates on new county initiatives, community celebrations, expanded resources for employers and opportunities for job seekers of all ages. I encourage you to take a moment to explore the newsletter and to stay engaged in the work of building an inclusive, resilient workforce for the residents and businesses that call Ramsey County home.
The Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County (WIB) remains committed to leading this work and is grateful for your ongoing partnership in helping all residents access opportunity and thrive.
- Yolanda Y McIntosh, WIB Chair
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The Ramsey County Government Center is a civic hub redesigned to improve access to services and support collaboration among county staff. Formerly the Metro Square building, it has been renovated and renamed to reflect a more welcoming, accessible and efficient government experience in downtown Saint Paul.
Conveniently located along major transit routes, the building is easily accessible by bus and light rail, with parking vouchers available for residents receiving county services.
The facility brings together public-facing services, state and county programs and internal departments in one central location. This includes CareerForce, the statewide workforce network that offers employment and career support services, including:
- Job search assistance and career counseling.
- Resume and interview support.
- Skills training and workshops.
- Access to computers and employment resources.
 Members of the WIB joined county, city and local business leaders for the Ramsey County Government Center Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony.
The WIB joins colleagues across the county in recognizing the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners’ declaration of May as American Indian Month. This month honors the deep histories, living cultures and ongoing contributions of American Indian people, the original stewards of Mni Sota Makoce.
Ramsey County continues to strengthen relationships with American Indian communities through meaningful action. Recent milestones include the Second Judicial District’s Tribal flag ceremony acknowledging Tribal sovereignty, the launch of the Maawandoobiwag Employee Resource Group and the establishment of a permanent American Indian Relations Administrator to serve as a dedicated liaison with community partners.
This year, county leaders and American Indian community representatives will participate in a learning cohort focused on shared understanding, collaborative strategy and collective impact work that aligns closely with the WIB’s priorities around inclusion, workforce access and economic opportunity.
Throughout May, community organizations will host open houses, powwows and cultural gatherings. WIB members and partners are encouraged to participate, build relationships and deepen our understanding of the communities we serve.
Learn more about local American Indian Month events.
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 We are celebrating Tech Month by highlighting the growing talent, training, and career pathways that fuel our region’s tech economy. As technology continues to reshape nearly every industry, from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and government, digital skills remain central to economic mobility and business growth. Tech Month 2026 focuses on expanding access to these skills and ensuring our local workforce is prepared for an increasingly tech‑driven economy.
Visit the Tech Month page to explore the events and resources that support both tech employers and emerging talent.
Learn more about Tech Month.
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. As we navigate the many challenges that plague our lived experience, let us not give up hope! Mental health challenges is no exception. It does not discriminate in person, places or work classifications. In addition to existing company resources, please take a moment to review the following links in the Inclusive Employer Toolkit:
If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:
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On April 15, CareerForce in Saint Paul was highlighted on Nyob Zoo Ramsey County, the county’s cultural media program produced in partnership with 3HMONGTV. The episode featured Sara Garbe, CareerForce Supervisor, and Christopher Walls, Ramsey County Employment Counselor, who shared information about CareerForce services, job seeker resources and the support available to residents navigating employment and training opportunities.
Nyob Zoo Ramsey County airs twice a month and brings forward county programs, services, and community connections through conversations with new guests each episode. The feature provided a platform to reach Hmong community members and other residents with information on how CareerForce can assist with career exploration, skill building and accessing in‑demand employment pathways.
Watch the CareerForce episode of Nyob Zoo Ramsey County.
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 The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners recently unanimously approved a new, forward-looking economic development initiative. The “Building Stronger Together” plan makes strategic investments to accelerate downtown development and ultimately stabilize residential property taxes throughout Ramsey County. The plan will invest more than $320 million into the county’s future without additional property tax increases.
Learn more about the Building Stronger Together plan.
A generational breakdown in the Metro Area
 According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), the Seven-County Metro Area had a population of 3.2 million people in 2024. At the same time, data from Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI) shows that the region had 1.8 million jobs. Zooming in on both sets of data reveals a complex and multigenerational mix of people and workers in the region.
There are now at least six generations living together in the Metro Area. Born between 1981 and 1996, Millennials are the largest generation, with about 734,500 people, surpassing both the younger Generation Z (657,100 people) and the older Generation X (628,400 people). Baby Boomers, ranging from 60 to 78 years of age in 2024, make up the 4th largest generation in the region with a population of about 556,400 people. Generation Alpha, with about 481,100 people, will continue to grow until a new year is established for whatever the next generation is named. Rounding out the Metro Area's population, the combination of the Silent Generation (those born between 1928 and 1945) and the Greatest Generation (those born between 1901 and 1927) accounted for an estimated 141,700 people in 2024.
Continue reading the Local Look blog.
Workforce Solutions and the WIB continue to support employers in creating welcoming, inclusive workplaces where all employees feel valued. One key resource in this effort is the Inclusive Employer Toolkit, designed to help organizations strengthen inclusion across recruitment, hiring, onboarding and retention. The toolkit offers practical strategies and guidance to help employers build environments where every worker can succeed.
Newly added updates expand the toolkit’s reach even further. Employers can now find information on Minnesota’s upcoming Paid Family and Medical Leave law, as well as fresh resources on supporting workers with disabilities and promoting mental health in the workplace. These additions provide timely, relevant tools that help employers adapt to changing workforce needs and ensure that all employees, regardless of ability, caregiving responsibilities, or mental health needs, have the support necessary to contribute and thrive.
Learn more about the Toolkit.
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Visit Ramsey County's Workforce Training Dashboard to learn more about how the county is connecting residents to the training programs needed to get people started or advancing in a career.
Providers of free or low cost workforce training programs can submit their program information for inclusion on the training dashboard through an easy to use self-submission form. The training dashboard includes nearly 100 training programs in and near Ramsey County across a wide range of in-demand industry sectors.
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Ramsey County has launched a redesigned website to better serve residents, businesses and partners with improved navigation, accessibility and mobile responsiveness.
As part of this update, the county’s web address has changed from ramseycounty.us to RamseyCountyMN.gov. Be sure to update your bookmarks and links to reflect the new RamseyCountyMN.gov URL.
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