On Tuesday, November 2, 2021, the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners approved a plan to spend $5 million of Olmsted County’s nearly $31 million in allocated funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The funding will be used to incentivize the construction of new, affordable homes through the Growing Affordable, Inclusive Neighborhoods (GAIN) in Olmsted County program. 

Becoming a child foster care provider can be a fulfilling and life changing experience. Olmsted County has a great need for foster parents in our local communities; so, if you have ever considered becoming a foster parent, now is a great time to learn more.

There are several types of foster care providers needed: emergency shelter, family foster care, resource family homes, and respite care. 

Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) is working with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to adjust COVID-19 response resources to focus on areas most urgent and relevant to the current stage of the pandemic.

Mayowood Apartments offer permanent supportive housing for 30 homeless adults who struggle with behavioral health issues. Comprehensive supportive services will be available on-site for all tenants, including case management, transportation, 24-hour front desk staff and advocacy, and referral to community resources.

Community transmission of COVID-19 remains high in Olmsted County. Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS), Mayo Clinic, and Olmsted Medical Center want to remind the public what treatments are approved for COVID-19.

On Wednesday, October 20, 2021, members of the media were invited to attend a virtual event on homelessness and housing solutions in Olmsted County. Updates were given on the Rochester Community Warming Center, the Empowering Connections and Housing Outreach Center, and what the future holds for Olmsted County and its efforts to create housing solutions for people in the community.

(Photo courtesy: MN DPS)

While the county and the city are required to have their own separate processes, the organizations will collaborate to help ensure community members have the pertinent information they need by providing an educational campaign, as well as joint community engagement efforts. The process will occur between November 2021 – April 2022.

The Ear of Corn Water Tower in Rochester, Minnesota is gaining national attention. The water tower, along with hundreds of other water towers in the United States and Canada, was nominated for the People’s Choice Award in the Tnemec Company’s Water Tank of the Year contest.