Journey to Growth Plan

Collaborators 

Lead Organization: Journey to Growth Partnership

Contact: Heather Holmes ; Email: info@j2gmn.com ; Phone: TBD

Known/Likely Collaborators: Albert Lea Economic Development Agency (ALEDA) ; Diversity Council ; Journey to Growth Diversity and Inclusion Committee ; Journey to Growth Partnership ; Port Authority of Winona ; Red Wing Port Authority ; Rochester-Area Economic Development Inc (RAEDI) ; Rochester-area Chamber of Commerce ; Southeastern Minnesota League of Municipalities (SEMLM)

Potential Collaborators: Community Networking Group (CNG)

Related Projects

Community Health Assessment Process ; Create a regional brand and communication platform ; Destination Medical Center (DMC) ; Rochester Master Plan (2010) ; SE Mn Together: A regional community growth initiative ; Update Intercultural Cities Initiative (ICI) Index ; We are More

Impacts 

Major Impact:  Economic Development

PlanScape Impacts :

Level 1: Business Process, Children & Youth, Diversity and Inclusion, Economic Development, Education, Governance/Public Policy, Workforce Development, Vision/Identity

Level 2: Education, Education, Business Process, Civic Engagement, Children & Youth, Diversity and Inclusion, Economic Diversification, STEM, Vision/Identity, Workforce Development

DMC Impacts:

Livable City, Arts & Culture, Technology, Health & Wellness, Education/Learning Environment

Community Health Impacts:

Type of Project

Planning, Programming  

Links:     RAEDI Website on J2G

Presentation

Updates

2014-12-20

Misc Info

Key Points:

• 501C3 formation to drive execution of the plan
• Staffing of agency

Key Initiatives Include:

• Create a regional brand and communications platform
• Create Leadership Teams to oversee development of the Rochester Area's target business sectors
• Formalize a best-practice startup acceleration program at the May Clinic Business Accelerator
• Develop a comprehensive graduate-retention program
• Identify, enhance and promote capital-formation resources
• Conduct a regional workforce gap
• Form a coalition to create a regional talent retention and attraction campaign
• Pursue regional transit service for high-volume weekday commuting periods
• etc ...

PB: "As part of J2G, lawmakers from Southeast Minnesota are seeking to create a $25 million revolving loan fund to spur business and entrepreneurial activity in the region’s towns and cities."

More than 100 representatives from area cities and economic development organizations participated in the discussion about how J2G can accomplish its mission of diversifying the workforce and promoting towns surrounding Rochester as the Destination Medical Center (DMC) initiative, a medical tourism venture, attempts to draw people to visit, work and live in Rochester. J2G is a five-year regional economic growth strategy developed by Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. (RAEDI) and the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce in which the cities of Chatfield and Spring Valley, among others, are partners.

PB Reporting Apr 21, 2025

Apr 2025 Updates

The Early Childhood Resource Hub, a collaboration between C2C and IMAA, aims to connect Olmsted County families with young children to various resources and services.

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.

The Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL) is thrilled to announce the launch of CAAL Ignite, a new grant program offering $10,000–$15,000 to individuals, nonprofits, and small businesses in Minnesota’s Asian American community.

Mayo Clinic re-names its diversity and inclusion office as ‘Office of Belonging’ 

Breathing Study: Enhancing Brain and Mental Health through Breathing Practice

 Apr 2025 Mayor's YouTube Rochester Voices Channel  

Mar 2025: City of Rochester Mayor Kim Norton to attend the National League of Cities (NLC) 2025 Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C. from March 8-12, 2025.

City of Rochester Mayor Kim Norton to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) 93rd Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C.

"Building relationships of trust with community members"

Post Bulletin Reporting

PB Reporting:  Rochester’s nearly $4.4M seeks to grow housing opportunities; A pair of housing developments is seeking to help first-generation homebuyers start building wealth, rather than continuing a cycle tied to paying monthly rent.

PB Reporting

Results Report with links to raw data and Copilot AI analyses

City Council Study Session

Annual Report to DEED Prep 

PB Reporting

" Overall private investment related to the Destination Medical Center initiative bounced back in 2024, but non-Mayo Clinic development continued to decline in the DMC district for the sixth year."

DMC Updates