In 2017, Rochester was ranked by ZipRecruiter.com as “One of the 10 Easiest Cities to Find a Job,” proof that the city is not only attracting new investment – it’s also the ideal place to build your career.
DMC planning estimates indicate that more than 30,000 jobs could be created in Rochester by 2035. Supporting this job growth will require sustained efforts from education, business, labor, and civic leaders.
While health care will account for many of the jobs, hospitality and construction will be important components in supporting the growth of America’s City for Health.
Rochester is alive with activity. We keep residents moving with more than 85 miles of paved walking and biking trails, scenic Bluff Country, Blue Ribbon trout streams, more than 100 parks, immaculate golf courses, cross-country skiing, and so much more. Rochester is also a huge draw for sporting events, hosting major tournaments in soccer, hockey, softball, basketball, and volleyball.
To help illustrate the many ways individuals are transforming Rochester, DMC has created a video series called “DMC Rochester, MN Storyteller Videos.” These snapshots of forward-thinking people and approaches showcase the opportunities that exist in Rochester as DMC sets in motion a new future for America’s City for Health.
In the Middle of Recreation
Nicole Rawlings
Nicole Rawlings is a Worksite Wellness Coordinator for the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center at Mayo Clinic who gets to live out her passion every day by empowering clinic employees to be healthier and happier.
“I took a chance on Rochester to pursue my dream job at Mayo Clinic,” Rawlings says. She thought packing up and moving away from family and familiar surroundings of St. Paul would be difficult, but it wasn’t long until she found her place in the community.
We love where we live. DMC will make sure of it. Small-town vibe. Big-city amenities. Rochester is a vibrant urban center for people to live, work, and play, full of entertainment, arts, and culture. Plus, it’s easy to get around with safe, walkable streets, a network of bike trails, and efficient public transportation. In fact, the average commute time to work is only 15 minutes. Add in the fresh, local foods, quaint neighborhoods, and job opportunities, and you’ve got an ideal place to call home.
Sunny Prabhakar
To help illustrate the many ways individuals are transforming Rochester, DMC has created a video series called “DMC Rochester, MN Storyteller Videos.” These snapshots of forward-thinking people and approaches showcase the opportunities that exist in Rochester as DMC sets in motion a new future for America’s City for Health.
Rochester Framing & Fine Art Printing has called America’s City for Health its second home since April 2014, but owners John and Valerie Becker didn’t anticipate how much opportunity there would be for a non-medical business as the DMC initiative takes flight.
“DMC is an animal,” says John Becker. “There’s an energy that comes with the growth of the city. We see it right outside of our window every day.” Rochester Framing & Fine Art Printing is located at the intersection of 4th Street and Broadway in the Riverside Building, which is also home to Cambria, Limb Lab, and Winona State University-Rochester.
The Beckers opened their first framing store in Red Wing, Minnesota in 2002. They had considered expanding into Rochester for some time but wanted to ensure they selected the right location. Finding the Riverside space – a small footprint with high visibility – sealed the deal for them. “We came in at the same time as Cambria,” John said. “They have premium customers – so do we. They do countertops – we do walls. It was very deliberate.”
With all the activity taking place in the Destination Medical Center (DMC) District, the recent DMC Corporation Board of Directors meeting agenda was a full one and included updates on DMC’s top development priorities, such as Discovery Square and Heart of the City.
Financial update
At the end of 2016, private investment in the DMC district surpassed $200 million, the threshold required to trigger the release of State dollars to support Rochester’s infrastructure needs. It was reported at the meeting that the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) certified the report and has authorized the release of $2.6 million of the state money for local infrastructure improvements by September.
“This is the reason we’ve been doing this for the past several years,” says DMCC board vice-chair R.T. Rybak. “I encourage the staff to take time to celebrate this achievement.”
Discovery Square Developments
One of six DMC sub-districts, Discovery Square will be a live-work environment organized around attracting and retaining the best and brightest to our community. While there is progress taking place in all of six sub-districts, Discovery Square is a board-identified priority for DMC, as are Heart of the City and transportation.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (July 27, 2017) – The Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMCC) Board of Directors voted to approve the $35 million Mortenson project in the Discovery Square sub-district under the DMC Development Plan. The building is one in a series of DMC projects in the sub-district. The project will receive $4.9 million in DMC tax-increment financing.
“Today we take an important step forward with Discovery Square, a place where Minnesota’s next successful medical technology start-ups will be launched. This project will help diversify Rochester’s economy, create great jobs, and ensure Rochester remains America’s City for Health,” said Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, Chair of the DMC Board of Directors. “I thank Mortenson, Mayo Clinic, and the Rochester community for their work on this Discovery Square project. We have taken another important economic development step for the Destination Medical Center, Rochester, and Minnesota.”
Rochester is primed for dramatic growth and development. We are building office space, contemporary living environments, education centers, and retail space to attract start-ups, small businesses, expansions, and the great minds to go with it all.
Nick Pompeian
To help illustrate the many ways individuals are transforming Rochester, DMC has created a video series called “DMC Rochester, MN Storyteller Videos.” These snapshots of forward-thinking people and approaches showcase the opportunities that exist in Rochester as DMC sets in motion a new future for America’s City for Health.
DMC is changing the face of Rochester, and the state of Minnesota is taking notice.
The past few months have brought a new visibility to America’s City for Health as statewide publications have begun to share the story of Destination Medical Center.
Photo credit: Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune
In May, journalist Matt McKinney and photographer Glen Stubbe from the Star Tribune joined DMC Economic Development Agency executive director Lisa Clarke on the 189-foot Kraus-Anderson construction crane at the site of the future Titan Hilton Hotel to get a birds-eye view of the development taking place across the city of Rochester and discuss what’s to come for the burgeoning city.
For more than 150 years, Mayo Clinic has cultivated a culture of collaboration in working to discover new medical innovations. Researchers and physician-scientists work side-by-side to turn knowledge into breakthrough therapies and critical advances in patient care. Access to the highest quality care sets Rochester apart. State-of-the-art medical facilities and the world’s brightest minds answer the unmet needs of patients to provide expert, whole-person care.
To help illustrate the many ways individuals are transforming Rochester, DMC has created a video series called “DMC Rochester, MN Storyteller Videos.” These snapshots of forward-thinking people and approaches showcase the opportunities that exist in Rochester as DMC sets in motion a new future for America’s City for Health.
You are invited to attend the Discovery Square: Phase One Community Open House and Project Presentation on Tuesday, July 18.
Jeremy Jacobs, Development Executive with Mortenson, says the open house will be the first opportunity for the developers and designers to engage the community about the work being accomplished for Phase 1 of Discovery Square.
“We recognize that what we are building will be part of the fabric of the community and the DMC District for decades to come,” Jacobs says. “We will share information about the philosophy, design, and what we hope to achieve, then gather feedback from attendees.”
Jacobs says the event will also present an opportunity to introduce the project team. “We want to let people get to know those of us working diligently behind-the-scenes on this project that will affect the entire community.”
