Saint Paul, MN
Betting on and investing in the people of Saint Paul's high-potential communities.
Key Strengths
- Saint Paul is one of the most racially diverse cities in Minnesota, with more than 100 languages and dialects spoken by public school students and their families, as well as a tribally diverse American Indian population.
- Highly-educated workforce, with the second highest number of colleges and universities per capita in the country.
- The Rondo community is a historically Black neighborhood with a rich, enduring history.
- For nearly 2 centuries, the city’s east side has served as a key point of entry for immigrants seeking jobs, homes and community.
- The city’s west side neighborhood is home to a bustling Latino/a/x commercial district and community.
Key Challenges
- I-94 inflicted irreparable harm on residents and small business owners of the Rondo Community by physically dividing the neighborhood and creating a generational wealth gap evidenced in today’s home ownership rates.
- Income inequality is great between Caucasian Saint Paul residents and their neighbors of color, despite comparable labor market participation.
- Significant racial disparities in areas of health, environment and housing.
Stakeholders
- Merrick Community Services’ mission is to support individuals and families to navigate life transitions, find health and stability, and promote independence. Support is provided across a wide spectrum of life experiences and includes nutrition services, mental health diagnoses, domestic violence prevention, employment and career, as well as senior services.
- Office of Mayor Melvin Carter.