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Rochester Area Economic Development tells Kasson City Council region growing fast, housing gap persists
Summary
John Wade of Rochester Area Economic Development told the council the four‑county MSA grew about 6.7% in employment through June, creating nearly 7,000 jobs, and said the region faces a housing shortfall of roughly 10,000 units; RAED plans a $20,000 regional study to guide city planning and support services.
John Wade, president of Rochester Area Economic Development, told the Kasson City Council that the four‑county metropolitan area has seen rapid job growth and substantial development that is straining housing supply and local services.
Wade said the region grew roughly 6.7% in employment through June — nearly 7,000 new jobs — and that the local market is adding many apartment units as developers try to close an estimated shortfall of about 10,000 housing units. He said banks’ recent regional surveys show an optimistic investment outlook and that the health care sector and multifamily construction have driven much of the expansion.
Wade described RAED’s role in coordinating cities across the MSA, including staffing support and an effort to form a communities council. He said RAED will advance a roughly $20,000 study of regional economic development needs to give city leaders better data for planning and asked Kasson City to continue its financial and staff support for that effort.
The presentation underscored workforce and housing pressures facing the region and framed RAED’s proposed study as a tool to help city officials make informed choices about infrastructure, land use and economic development incentives. The council did not take formal action on the presentation.
