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What brought about the CNG network?

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About CNG

Convening regularly since April 2013, the CNG is comprised of non-profits, human and social service providers, local philanthropies, citizens and elected officials who meet to discuss the scope and impact of anticipated growth on our overall quality of life. We have been especially focused on how initiatives such as Destination Medical Center, Journey to Growth and the city's comprehensive plan can help us advance as a healthy and inclusive community where opportunity and responsibility are broadly shared.

CNG typically meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 7:30AM to 9:00AM at the Rochester Area Foundation.

 

History

 

The following June 13, 2013 by the Post Bulletin provides some background information for this network.

While promoters of Mayo Clinic's Destination Medical Center initiative has focused largely on the economic benefits of the proposed 20-year expansion plan, a community group is meeting to focus on the societal impacts the growth will bring.


While promoters of Mayo Clinic's Destination Medical Center initiative has focused largely on the economic benefits of the proposed 20-year expansion plan, a community group is meeting to focus on the societal impacts the growth will bring.

 

"There's so many things that growth will produce that are positive; there's also challenges that growth produces," said Olmsted County Commissioner Sheila Kiscaden, who attended last week's meeting.  

Mayor Ardell Brede also joined the group last week, and he said he plans to reconvene it sometime in July. It includes representatives from local nonprofits, city and county government, Mayo Clinic and  business organizations and the University of Minnesota Rochester.

 

The school district and many other organizations that support the community are going to have to make  adjustments to how they operate, Kiscaden said.

 

"It's everything from do we need more schools? Do we need more law enforcement personnel? Do we need more housing? How are we going to deal with all of these various challenges and demands for service that come with an expanding population," she said.

 

Also, as Brede pointed out, not all of the 35,000 new jobs projected for Rochester over the next 20 years are high-paying positions. In fact, a large portion will be in the hotel and restaurant industry, paying lower wages, and that means more people in Rochester struggling to get by.

 

Also, as Brede pointed out, not all of the 35,000 new jobs projected for Rochester over the next 20 years are high-paying positions. In fact, a large portion will be in the hotel and restaurant industry, paying lower wages, and that means more people in Rochester struggling to get by.

"So, that will put some pressures on the community" and county's social services, Brede said.

 

Brede and Kiscaden said some of the other people involved in the group are: Dave Beal of the United Way of Olmsted County; Jay Hesley of the University of Minnesota Rochester; former Olmsted County Sheriff Steve Borchardt, who is with the Rochester Area Foundation; John Wade, president of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce; and Rochester-Olmsted Planning Director Phil Wheeler.

The group has discussed ways it might share information and coordinate planning, Kiscaden said.

"I think rather than having every group go off and work on their own, it's really helpful to be able to share what's being learned along the way ... and look for opportunities for synergy, not only in the planning process but in the future for service delivery," she said.

Brede said two members of group will be talking with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, which is part of the University of Minnesota, to inquire about possible consulting services.

 

About Al Lun

About us

 

 


About Al Lun 

Retired from IBM, Al Lun has worked in the computer industry for over 3 decades. He has worked in technology development in various capacities including architecture, project management, software/hardware development and people management.

Active in Rochester-area philanthropic boards, Al is also building out the Community Beam website to co-create a healthy and inclusive community where opportunity and responsibility are broadly shared

He believes in the 4P principle of running an organization: People, Process, Product, Profit, in that order. And people must be first.

 

Read more ...


 

About Community Beam

The Community Beam portal was built to help create a healthy and inclusive community where opportunity and responsibility are broadly shared.

If you find the information contained here useful, please consider making donations to the following non-profit organizations 

 

 

For Youth Development® For Healthy Living For Social Responsibility

Minnesota Public Radio

 

 

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Purpose and Goal

Purpose

Change power dynamics to create a pluralistic and intercultural community where all people benefit equitably. 

Goal

Create equitable access to community resources and civic involvement. 

 

Community Status/News

This panel displays the latest community news. For a standalone view please click this LINK.



Mayo Clinic Platform 2025 Conference

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Featuring: leaders from Google, Thrive Global, Mount Sinai, Nvidia, and the Gates Foundation. 

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MN 2025 Joint Disparity Study — External Stakeholder Group Meeting

Copilot Analysis and Summary of City of Rochester Procurement Profile Summary

Copilot Analysis and Summary of Hennepin County Procurement Profile Summary

Comparison between Hennepin County and Rochester 

Last Updated June 26, 2025



Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN)

Spring 2025 Nonprofit News

Financial Planning; Federal Funding Importance; Nonprofit Services; etc

Last Updated June 25, 2025



City of Rochester 2026-2027 Budget Planning

2026 Budget Update

May 27, 2025 City Council Study Session ; Apr 28, 2025 City Council Study Session Materials

Press Release: The City of Rochester is beginning its 2026-2027 budget process and invites residents to learn more about the factors shaping the City’s financial outlook.

Last Updated June 23, 2025



2025-2026 RPS Budget

RPS Budget Cut 

The Rochester School Board has officially approved a $445 million budget for the 2025–26 school year, setting the stage for a year of stability and strategic investment in local education.

 

Last Updated June 22, 2025



Rochester International Relations Committee

1H 2025 Meeting Materials

Last Updated June 21, 2025



NAACP, Rochester Chapter

Juneteenth 2025 Celebration Report 

Rochester NAACP Statement on Racist Hate Incident Targeting Black Child in Public Park

Last Updated June 20, 2025



Multicultural Center Concept Enablement

One Page Summary of Concept - Fact Sheet

Detailed Project Description

Last Updated June 17, 2025



Financial Aid Support Sessions

2025 Summer Financial Aid Sessions  

Locations: RCTC, Rochester Public Library

Information for CBO hosting Financial Aid Sessions

Last Updated June 14, 2025



Future Development of Graham Park

PB Editorial - Need to include Seneca Site and County/City planning together

PB Reporting on background of the project including engaging local governments 

 

Last Updated June 14, 2025



State Funding Supports Silver Lake Skate Park and Traffic Calming Grants

June 10, 2025 – ROCHESTER, MINN. – The City of Rochester is grateful for state funding and legislative actions this session that will help enhance public spaces and improve quality of life for residents.

Last Updated June 11, 2025



May 2025 DMCC Board Meeting Reports (10-Year Milestone)

May 2025 DMCC Board Meeting Report

10-Year DMC Looking Back

 

Last Updated May 29, 2025



Discovery Square Shared Lab Infastructure

Biolabs as shared space partner

A shared lab space for a community of like-minded entrepreneurs associated with one or more academic research partners

Last Updated May 28, 2025



Three Housing Projects with DMC Assistance

DMCC Board Meeting Approval May 2025: Civic Center North (Sherman), Looms, West Transit Village 

Last Updated May 28, 2025



DMC Equitable Economic Development

May 2025 DMC Board Meeting Report

Feb 2025 DMC Board Meeting Report: Community Co-design, Equity Alliance Topics, Community Connection & Capacity Building, Pitch Event, Targeted Business Metrics, Affordable Housing

Last Updated May 24, 2025



Minnesota Main Street Economic Revitalization Program

May 2025 DMC Board Meeting Report

(1) Third Phase Grant Ann; (2) Second Phase Grant; (3) DMC Announces First Recipients of Main Street Grant Funding 30 Businesses ($1.6M) ; (4) Launching of Main Street Grant 

Last Updated May 24, 2025



West Transit Village DMC Board Meeting

May 2025 DMCC Board Meeting Report

Feb 2025 DMCC Board Meeting Memo

PB reporting re Jan 6 City Council Meeting

"A final plan for dividing a 14.1-acre Mayo Clinic parking lot into developable sections is expected to be reviewed Monday by the Rochester City Council. The site, being dubbed “West Transit Village,” sits between Second Street Southwest and Cascade Lake. It is currently used as a Mayo Clinic employee shuttle lot, and Mayo Clinic plans to construct a 2,500-stall parking structure."

Last Updated May 24, 2025



Rochester Public Library - Master Plan Study

Community Survey Request 2025-05-19

Rochester City Council Study Session 4/1/42025

Post Bulletin Reporting

 

Last Updated May 19, 2025



Downtown Waterfront Southeast: 6th Street Bridge

May 2025 City Council Updates

May 2024 Online Survey for Community Inputs and Asian Community Inputs Outreach

Last Updated May 18, 2025



2024 Housing Coalition Investments

2024 Investments:

$8,491,000 supporting 11 projects totaling over $77M

Last Updated May 17, 2025