Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ramsey County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
6 issues in business jobs with high priority
CareerForce Center Operations and Funding
The county and state signed a three-year cost-sharing deal to keep the downtown St. Paul CareerForce center running. It's the busiest comprehensive job center in Minnesota, serving 3,242 job seekers this year, with 77% from low-income ZIP codes. It sits next to county service desks so residents can handle employment help and other services in one trip.
Upcoming Economic Development Authority and program flexibility
The new EDA — created by the Legislature and funded through the county's HRA levy, with no taxing authority — now covers all 18 participating cities. Planned supports include expanded technical assistance, learning cohorts, capacity building for business support organizations, and direct investment in mixed-use projects. A detailed spending plan comes to the board this fall.
Rice Creek Commons Development (MicroControl)
Commissioners celebrated the grand opening of the first company at Rice Creek Commons — MicroControl — with jobs already surpassing original estimates, on the first ten acres of a 40-acre site with quick access to 35W.
Growing the tax base — Building Stronger Together
The county is betting on economic growth to ease future tax pressure: a stronger downtown St. Paul and redeveloping county-owned land like Rice Creek Commons, where a 150,000-square-foot headquarters just brought 200 jobs.
Construction impacts and business support
Commissioner Xiong pressed for technical assistance and a business resiliency inventory for corridor businesses facing years of construction — similar to Rice Street lessons. Staff floated a business-preparation manual and coordination with CED, but no grants or loans are currently funded.
Countywide EDA business programming
The new EDA — created by the Legislature and funded through the county's HRA levy, with no taxing authority — now covers all 18 participating cities. Planned supports include expanded technical assistance, learning cohorts, capacity building for business support organizations, and direct investment in mixed-use projects. A detailed spending plan comes to the board this fall.