Community-led organizations dig into regional policy

Young leaders presented their recommendations for policy to the Met Council at a Committee of the Whole meeting. Their recommendations were informed by conversations with their communities.

Met Council grants help address region's need for affordable housing

This month, we approved grants that focus on affordable, safe housing in our region. Our homeownership and multifamily rental housing grants will result in new affordable homes and housing units. 

Grants to clean up polluted sites lead to jobs, prosperity

Our investment in cleaning up polluted land has resulted in the reuse of hundreds of acres. This month, we awarded $2.8 million to communities to continue brownfield cleanup work.

Met Council grants promote efficient land use in affordable housing development 

Our latest grant round of Livable Communities grants will contribute to projects in Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Edina, Maplewood, Minneapolis, and Saint Paul.

Met Council grants connect people and place 

We awarded nearly $5 million in grants to Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Richfield to develop affordable housing and job opportunities along major transit routes.

Grants support cities to achieve equitable development

Cities awarded grants in this round: Brooklyn Center, Chaska, Fridley, Minneapolis, New Brighton, Saint Paul, and St. Louis Park, totaling $1 million.

$1 million federal grant will help region reduce polluting emissions

The EPA grant will create a regional plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and partner with local governments to implement prioritized strategies as the region heats up.

Met Council approves grants for job creation, housing, and economic development

Nearly $3.4 million in Livable Communities grants will contribute to economic opportunity, redevelopment, and job creation in the seven-county metro area.

Young leaders share their visions for the region

Young people will help guide the creation of the 2050 regional development guide, ensuring the guide is informed by those who will be most affected by its policies.

Pandemic and decline in migration result in changes to forecasted regional growth

A lot can change in a few years, especially when a pandemic disrupts the global, national, and local economies. We now project slower growth in the number of people and jobs than previous updates.

Met Council to make $27.5 million available in Livable Communities grants in 2023

Helping cities and townships prosper to ensure a thriving, vibrant region is at the core of the Livable Communities program.

Grants support brownfield cleanup and affordable housing

15 initiatives will receive Livable Communities program grants totaling more than $5 million for to help them achieve their goals of economic prosperity, job creation, housing choices, and mobility.

Grants support affordable housing and transit-oriented development

13 development projects received Met Council grant awards totaling nearly $15 million.

Livable Communities grants support innovation and equity

Four are predevelopment grants for development that conserves energy and supports diverse communities; two of the grants support local policies on zoning and sustainability.

Grants support jobs, housing, and economic development

The Metropolitan Council has awarded $2.6 million in polluted-site cleanup grants to nine projects that promote redevelopment and economic opportunity in the region.

Predevelopment planning grants awarded to BIPOC-focused projects

Four Livable Communities grants total $475,000 are from an account in the Livable Communities program that funds project feasibility studies, site planning, and community engagement work.

Local officials to review preliminary population estimates

Officials have the opportunity to compare the data with their own knowledge and observations and collaborate with our staff to fine-tune and certify the estimates to meet state requirements.

Income grows but inequality persists, new data show

Median household income increased by almost $8,000 in the 15-county Twin Cities metropolitan area, but income inequality was largely unchanged between 2011-2015 and 2016-2020.

Met Council allocates $25 million for Livable Communities grants

Hundreds of metro area developments have received Livable Communities funding over the last 25 years to support local development investment.

Council awards record $8 million for affordable housing

The grants will fill project funding gaps and help create 557 new affordable homes and preserve another 113 affordable housing units.

New tool helps cities preserve and enhance tree canopy

Serving our communities better requires a targeted, intersectional, and equitable approach to tree canopy management.

Grants support affordable housing and transit-oriented development

Nearly $14 million will contribute to development that improves connections between where people live, work, shop, and recreate. The grants are part of the Met Council’s Livable Communities program.

Brownfield cleanup grants continue to produce results

Nearly $3.2 million in grants will result in jobs, redevelopment, and more housing in the region, including housing affordable to families with low and moderate incomes.

That’s a wrap: Solar-for-Vouchers pilot program concludes

Planners are now considering the next steps toward advancing the dual goals of more affordable housing and less reliance on traditional energy sources.

Growing equitable shade and fighting climate change, one tree at a time

We're working with the Nature Conservancy and Tree Trust to build an app that helps communities track where tree canopies are thin and then prioritize where to get the most impact from new planting.

Grants lay foundation for future development

These Livable Communities grants support planning, analysis, design, and engagement activities to help ensure the success of future development projects.

Grants lead to jobs, housing, and economic development

Redevelopment of polluted sites will create jobs and invite investment in market-rate and affordable housing, as well as industrial and commercial space at vacant and idled properties.

Local leaders plan for healthy, resilient communities

Staff partnered with the Minnesota Department of Health and the Public Health Law Center to analyze what plans reveal about considerations and steps communities are taking to address public health.

Predevelopment grants lay the groundwork for urban developments

Predevelopment grants are intended for planning, analysis, design, and engagement activities to support successful development projects.

New regional dataset has equity focus

Broad topic areas include demographics, migration, historic discrimination, housing, environment and climate, amenities, and many more.

What local comprehensive plans tell us about future growth and development

A look at 2040 local comprehensive plans submitted to the Met Council shows how local governments are planning for shifts in market demand and growth, as well as issues like climate change.

Met Council makes $25 million available for Livable Communities grants

2021 grants will be available to eligible and participating cities to help fund affordable housing, development that promotes mixed-use and connected land uses, and brownfield site cleanup.

Council grants help create jobs, housing, and economic development

The Metropolitan Council awarded $3 million in polluted-site cleanup grants that promote redevelopment and economic opportunity in the region.

Council awards grants for affordable housing

The Metropolitan Council awarded $5.5 million in grants for affordable housing, the largest award from the affordable housing fund in the 25-year history of the Livable Communities program.

Council awards grants for affordable housing

The seven grants will go to projects in Brooklyn Park, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and St. Louis Park.

Council offers solar assistance to rental property owners

A pilot program will offer assistance to rental property owners who install solar panels in exchange for renting a small share of their units to Section 8 Housing Choice voucher holders.

Council awards grants for housing near transit

The grant awards help make it possible for people to live near transit services that help them get to jobs, school, appointments, shopping, and other destinations.

Council awards grants to create jobs, housing, and economic development

The Livable Communities program grants help communities invest in economic development and housing choices, and promote connections between transportation options and land use.

Council offers new resources for changing suburbs

Suburban local governments in the Twin Cities metro have new resources to help them plan and program more effectively for the way their communities are changing.

Region’s population continues upward; housing challenges remain

Population growth continues throughout the region, according to the Metropolitan Council’s community-level preliminary population estimates for 2019.

Council releases greenhouse gas emissions tool

It will provide local governments with high-quality data about greenhouse gas emissions from several key sectors.

Affordable housing investment nearly doubles

Metro area cities can apply for $24.5 million in 2020 through the Livable Communities Fund. That includes an expansion of the funds targeted specifically to preserve and expand affordable housing.

Council awards $3.3 million to local projects promoting economic development, affordable housing

We awarded one contamination investigation and 10 contamination cleanup grants to will help clean up 46 acres.

The Census is coming!

A complete and accurate census count is crucial for funding from the federal and state governments.

New projects add housing, demonstrate connected land uses

A $6.5 million investment will support six cities to create development that links housing, jobs and services, and demonstrates cost-effective use of land and infrastructure.

Decades-old program helps preserve metro area ag land

Farming is important business in the Twin Cities metro area, and the Metropolitan Agricultural Preserves Program is helping to keep it that way.

Regional forecast: Household growth revised downward; population growth expected to slow

The Twin Cities region will gain 803,000 residents between 2010 and 2040, bringing the region’s population to 3,653,000.

Growing cities meet regional density targets

The Council’s net residential density target is a minimum of 3 units per acre for cities and townships designated as either suburban edge, emerging suburban edge, or rural center.

Cities, Met Council advance solar energy development

Local governments and the Metropolitan Council have expanded the region’s solar capacity by an estimated 50 megawatts since 2015.

Regional and local planning go hand-in-hand

Local comprehensive plans reflect the vision of metro area cities and townships. The Met Council reviews the plans to ensure planned growth is compatible with regional infrastructure investment.

Tax-base sharing supports more orderly development and improves equity

After more than 40 years, the region’s Fiscal Disparities program continues to support orderly and efficient development, equity, and economic competitiveness of the Twin Cities area.

Council awards $3 million to local projects promoting jobs, economic development

The grants are part of the Council’s Livable Communities program, a voluntary, incentive-based approach to helping communities achieve their regional and local goals.

Council grants get things rolling on planned development in four metro area cities

The Metropolitan Council, on June 12, approved Livable Communities grants to set the stage for planned development in Brooklyn Center, Hopkins, Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Planning resilient communities to confront climate change

Rising temperatures. More rain and extreme weather. Changes in wildlife, environment, foliage, and habitat. Longer allergy season. The signs of climate change are all around us.

Jordan: Small in size, but ambitious

A 3.3-square-mile rural center community of 6,200 with a good understanding of Mother Nature’s reign; with much of the city located in a floodplain, it is vulnerable to flooding.

Belle Plaine: Healthy people, healthy city

The city of Belle Plaine has big aspirations in its Destination Belle Plaine 2040 plan, with goals of stewardship, long-term economic prosperity, social equity, livability and sustainability.

Public health guides Osseo resiliency planning

Healthy generations: It’s a phrase that defines the City of Osseo’s vision for growth and development.

Shoreview: Resilient, Responsive and Ready

In its Destination Shoreview 2040 Plan, the city focuses on energy efficiency, water quality, water conservation, waste reduction and new infrastructure technology.

White Bear Lake: Envisioning a resilient community

The goal of the city's 2040 Comprehensive Plan is to “become more resilient in the face of an evolving climate.”

From students to advocates: St. Louis Park students lead the way

Local officials will be the first to tell you where the Climate Action Plan, which was adopted in 2018, got its start – with students.

Solar saves money in Woodbury

Woodbury takes seriously its responsibility of demonstrating best practices, using renewable energy sources to provide the equivalent of 100 percent of the energy needs at city facilities.

Metro area growth continues, housing challenges remain

Preliminary population estimates show Minneapolis and Saint Paul continue to lead growth in number of new residents.

Council designated “SolSmart” for solar leadership

Silver designation highlights achievements in expanding solar across the region by offering resources and technical assistance on solar planning, and market development and finance.

Council makes $21.4 million available in 2019 for local investment and regional opportunity

The funds promote livability, a mix of housing choices and affordability, jobs and local economic development.

Council awards grants supporting jobs, housing and economic development

A majority of these grants will help clean up contaminated sites for future development; one grant was awarded for contamination investigation.

Council grants promote economic development and housing opportunities

Nearly 850 new homes and more than 1,100 jobs will result from $9.6 million in Livable Communities grants.

2020 census has big stakes for states, local governments

At stake is the number of representatives each state will get in Congress, and distribution of billions of dollars to and within states for the upcoming decade.

Twin Cities metro area stands to gain by eliminating racial and ethnic disparities

Council’s new interactive data visualization tells the story.

New online mapping resource pinpoints 1.2 million ‘address points’

The information will benefit a wide range of public services from emergency response to municipal planning.

Council rolls out flood risk tool as part of climate vulnerability assessment

The Climate Vulnerability Assessment will plan for public infrastructure to increase its lifespan and reduce costs.

Council awards $3.3 million to local projects promoting jobs, economic development

The Council awarded three types of grants, for investigating and cleaning up contaminated sites, and for improving redevelopment opportunities in an existing or former area of concentrated poverty.

Metro area grows 8% between 2010-2017

Preliminary population estimates show Minneapolis and Saint Paul had the highest population gains.

Neighborhood takes a novel approach to planning for its future

This month’s local planning feature focuses on an innovative approach taken by a Saint Paul neighborhood to chart its future in a “small area plan.”

Maplewood’s sustainability efforts strengthen city’s livability

Maplewood boasts a host of natural amenities, connections to major transportation corridors, strong commercial and business hubs, and residents who are active in the community’s public life.

Council awards more than $5 million to local communities to expand affordable housing.

Livable Communities grants support job growth and economic opportunity, as well as leverage millions in private investment.

Preserving the past, Hastings mounts major effort to plan its future

Hastings city officials are drawing on 21^st century techniques to engage community members in planning for its future.

Metro Cities: Watchdog, liaison and partner to Council

Metro Cities monitors the Council to make sure city interests are represented, informs cities about Council actions and programs, and shares Council information useful in local planning.

Council grants support community planning

The city of Carver, a historic Minnesota River town in Carver County, is looking to the future.

Regional collaboration delivers sustainable energy

The Council played a central role as partner and leader helping to form the Governmental Solar Garden Subscriber Collaborative and bring the project to life.

Livable Communities grants help ‘nail down the deal’

Program helps cities throughout the region create affordable housing for area residents.

Council members focus on the big picture

The Regional Growth Strategy Work Group is intended to create an ongoing forum for Council Members to consider the impact of long-term trends, opportunities and challenges on regional systems.

Metropolitan Council invests in job growth, development, and housing near transit

Council has awarded nearly $4.6 million in Livable Communities funds to transit-oriented development (TOD) projects along transit corridors.

Disabilities affect economic status, create disparities

A new Council MetroStats research report finds that people with disabilities have fewer opportunities for employment, housing and economic well-being.

The cost of persistent racial and ethnic disparities in the Twin Cities region

Longstanding and persistent trend will cost the region opportunities for continued growth, economic prosperity, greater livability, improved neighborhoods.

Savage: Small-town feel, global industrial connections, plentiful open space

Located on the Minnesota River bluff in northeastern Scott County, Savage is a city filled with suburban neighborhoods, natural features, and history.
 

Cottage Grove: Suburban edge where urban meets farmland and open space

Bordering the Mississippi River in southern Washington County, Cottage Grove is a community where “city” meets “nature.”

Regional forecasts update

The Twin Cities regional forecast to 2040: Steady growth and big changes ahead.

Metro area continues to grow; Carver County hits a milestone

The estimates are the official population and household estimates for state government purposes, including how local government aid (LGA) and local street aid allocations are determined.

Rosemount: Growing suburb offers active lifestyle

Set in the rolling landscape of north-central Dakota County, Rosemount was originally established as a township in 1858, the same day Minnesota became a state.

Poised for more growth, Carver engages residents to guide planning

Carver's population grew from 744 people in 1990 to 4330 in 2015, and is forecast to grow to 15,500 by 2040.

Council commits $1 million to land bank for affordable housing

The TCC Land Bank is a nonprofit community lender that helps government agencies, nonprofits, developers, and others to quickly buy properties and sell them to developers of affordable housing.

Council adopts forecasts for local comprehensive plan updates

The Council releases forecasts for population, households and employment in cities and townships in the metro area, as it gears up for the next round of local comprehensive plan updates.

Poverty is spreading and becoming more concentrated

As poverty spreads, it is becoming increasingly concentrated.  In some areas, 40% or more of residents' incomes are below 185% of the federal poverty threshold. 

Metro Council leading collaboration to spur community solar development

Local governments in the metro area soon will have the opportunity to subscribe to solar energy generated at one or more proposed community solar gardens through an innovative collaboration. 

More poor people living in Twin Cities suburbs than in central cities

Twin Cities suburban and rural areas are now home to more people living in poverty than the central cities. Learn what’s behind the trend.

Metro Council report provides updated regional forecast to 2040

With metro area cities and towns preparing to start their decennial local planning processes, the Metropolitan Council is fine-tuning its regional forecast. 

Council will offer planning grants to communities

Starting in 2016, the Council will make a total of $1.38 million available for grants to eligible communities and counties to support the upcoming round of comprehensive plan updates.

Council revs up economic research and assistance to communities

Workshops sharpen projects applying for Council TOD grants

Creating a high-quality, transit-oriented development project is not easy. The Council’s Livable Communities (LCA) staff help communities and developers move their projects from concept to success.

Council steps up role in transit-oriented development (TOD)

TOD improves mobility, enhances connections between destinations, creates efficiencies, and generates economic vitality.