Month: January 2022

ROCHESTER, MINN. – In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 17, 2022 and National African American/Black History Month in February 2022, the City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center are hosting an event for aspiring and current minority construction entrepreneurs on Thursday, January 27, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Kenneth Bush, founder of Minnesota Minority Trades Council, will be co-hosting the event. He comments, “Anybody can start a business with a positive attitude, willingness to learn and the right resources. The Minnesota Minority Trades Council helps entrepreneurs create a roadmap in order to get their business started by utilizing the resources that are in our community.”

Entrepreneurs will learn about the exciting economic growth of downtown Rochester driven by Destination Medical Center. Minnesota Department of Administration Office of Equity in Procurement and Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights will present on Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification and benefits of being certified.

Prime contractors and project sponsors are invited to attend the event from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, Yolanda McIntosh will be the lunch keynote speaker. Videos featuring our local DBEs will be shown. This is a great opportunity to increase exposure for our current and future DBEs. In the afternoon, local business development resources (RAEDI, Collider and SBDC) and private business consultants will present.

The event is being planned with both in-person and virtual options. The decision to host or cancel the in-person will be made on Monday, January 24. A complimentary lunch will be provided for pre-registered entrepreneurs attending in-person.

Minority community members working in construction (residential or commercial) or entrepreneur-minded individuals interested in owning/operating a construction business are invited to attend. Participants must pre-register by Monday, January 24, 2022 with Jorrie Johnson via email at [email protected] or 507-328-2016.

For more information about the City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center Targeted Business and Workforce Participation Plan program visit City of Rochester, Administration WBME & WF webpage.

The City of Rochester is hosting two public information sessions on the upcoming Downtown Sidewalk Experience Enhancement Project. This project, expected to occur in 2022, will replace the deteriorated brick inlay pattern sidewalks along Broadway from 2 Street North to 4 Street South, and also along Historic 3rd Street SW. Information about the project is available on the project website.

“This project is focused on improving the experience for those moving around our downtown. The sidewalks will be safer and the current blight of the deteriorated and patched brick will be eliminated. This is one of those important infrastructure projects that will have benefits for residents, visitors, and downtown businesses,” shares Cindy Steinhauser, Deputy City Administrator – Development Services & Infrastructure.

Patrick Seeb, Executive Director of Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency highlights, “This project is a vital infrastructure improvement for our downtown. We listened to our community and made this project a priority. We are looking forward to working with local businesses and stakeholders on a Business Forward strategy to minimize the impact of construction on their operations.”

Downtown Sidewalk Experience Enhancement Project – Meeting 2
            January 13, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Microsoft Teams Link: https://bit.ly/3z78cVk
Call-in Number (Audio Only): 347-352-4853; Conference ID: 358 766 514

Downtown Sidewalk Experience Enhancement Project – Meeting 3

January 13, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Microsoft Teams Link: https://bit.ly/31cyQQe
Call-in Number (Audio Only): 347-352-4853; Conference ID #: 629 945 453

*The content presented at these sessions will be identical, so stakeholders do not need to attend both meetings.

One session, including the attendee Q&A, will be posted to the project website.