A recent report from Chartio shows Minnesota has jumped 13 spots to No. 15 as the best market for venture capital in the United States in 2017 – and Rochester was a major contributor.
At the same time as Minnesota saw the increase, states like Colorado, Tennessee, Texas, and Illinois have lost market share. California retains the top spot, though its lead is slipping as investments tap into booming startup hubs around the country.
This spring, Rochester is proud to welcome the Bike+Walk Minnesota conference (April 29 – May 1), bringing together planners, professionals, and advocates from across Minnesota to explore connections between biking and walking, discuss how communities are creating better public spaces for all users, and address the open-ended question of what comes next for transportation and recreation options in Rochester and around the state.
Opportunities to network begin the evening of Sunday, April 29 with conference programming and breakout sessions running from Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon.
Recently, I had a day when I was stopped several times by people who wanted to talk with me about how excited they are about DMC and its potential.
I spoke with a baby boomer couple who moved downtown and are amazed at the progress.
I talked with a team of sisters who are small business owners – they have lived through 15 years of changes in Rochester’s downtown and are confident about their business’ future success.
I visited with an entrepreneur who moved here because of what she heard about DMC activity.
I heard from a physician at Mayo who is looking forward to hiring a new doctor in his department who wants to live downtown and feels there are good job opportunities for his spouse.
I talked with a Mayo Clinic patient who heard about DMC and wants to talk to me about investing in Rochester for retail development.
All of these conversations about how DMC is impacting our community happened in just one day.
The historic Chateau Theatre in downtown Rochester may breathe new life – soon. The Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMCC) Board, at its March 22 meeting, authorized up to $1 million in 2018 capital improvement funds to enhance the beloved theatre by providing necessary building repairs, ensuring code compliance, and initiating renovations.
“This solution will allow activation of the Chateau in the short-term, while long-term planning among public and private partners to create a true destination in Heart of the City continues,” says Lisa Clarke, Destination Medical Center (DMC) Economic Development Agency’s Executive Director.
The University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) has been an increasingly influential presence in downtown Rochester since it first opened its doors in 2006. The institution is dedicated to inspiring and empowering its students to solve healthcare challenges of the 21st century by engaging them in a one-of-a-kind, hands-on learning experience.
Just south of Destination Medical Center’s (DMC) Discovery Square sub-district, UMR will serve as the cornerstone of DMC’s Education & Recreation sub-district focused on the innovation, creativity, and education that sets Rochester apart from other cities of its size.
UMR welcomed its second chancellor, Dr. Lori Carrell, in February 2018 after the university’s inaugural chancellor Dr. Stephen Lehmkuhle retired at the close of the 2017 school year. As progress at UMR keeps pace with the rest of downtown, Dr. Carrell’s leadership will be integral to the future of the institution and the forward-thinking minds it produces.
With spring officially underway, warmer days are on the horizon! With those temperature changes come some additional options on the horizon: walk or bike to work, create a home garden, or attend some local events going on in Rochester moving forward.
Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency and City of Rochester’s Energy and Sustainability Director Kevin Bright offers seven “Bright Ideas” to help you save energy as we head into spring and summer. Hopefully, you are able to find one or more of these ideas that may be applicable to your commute, home, or day-to-day activities.
Destination Medical Center proves the Economic Development Model is working as board members applaud efforts
Rochester, Minn. (March 22, 2018) – The impact of Destination Medical Center (DMC) is being felt throughout the southeast Minnesota region, and DMC Corporation (DMCC) board members recognized considerable progress toward several private developments and previewed some proposed projects that continue to showcase Rochester as a prime market for investors, developers and entrepreneurs.
Airports are more than just a center through which people travel. They play a vital role in social and economic development, and, in a health-focused community like Rochester, a quality travel experience is vital for patients, visitors, and community members.
With up to 13 flights daily, Rochester International Airport (RST) is home to three of the “Big Four” airlines: American, Delta, and United. The regional hub has seen a 27% passenger growth over the past year, serving more than 290,000 passengers. A $12-million-dollar airport renovation to provide new, improved services and amenities for travelers is almost complete.
Autonomous vehicles are at the forefront of the transportation and mobility conversations, including in Rochester, where this technology has been considered by many as a potential addition to public transportation as part of the Destination Medical Center and City of Rochester’s planning efforts.
The Easy Mile 12-passenger autonomous vehicle is coming to downtown Rochester on Thursday, March 22 for a public demonstration at Peace Plaza. The public is invited to take a test ride between 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Ranked as one of the Top Ten Cities for Entrepreneurs by Livability in 2018, Rochester is not a stranger to innovation. Spark DJ is a Rochester-based music streaming service co-founded by John Boss and James Jones. The duo utilizes artificial intelligence to power their Spark DJ mobile application and deliver personalized music directly to smartphones nationwide, offering users a musical experience tailored specifically to their preferences. Spark DJ was recently selected as one of only ten startups to participate in the 2018 Techstars Music Class.
DMC recently connected with co-founder John Boss to find out more about the business and why Rochester is a great place to launch a startup of your own.