Intergenerational Prosperity for Racial & Economic Inclusion

Ramsey County will create pathways to intergenerational prosperity for racially and ethnically diverse communities that have historically experienced wealth extraction, with an emphasis on Black/African American, American Indian and other racially/ethnically diverse communities. This countywide approach will focus on racial and economic inclusion in racially and ethnically diverse communities with intentional and strategic investments in residents and businesses.

Overview

Why is this a priority

Ramsey County is committed to addressing systemic and institutional racism that has created barriers to workforce participation, family sustaining wages and affordable housing by cultivating economic prosperity and investing in neighborhoods that have historically experienced wealth extraction. Black, Latinx, American Indian, and People of Color experience deep disparities in homeownership, income, business opportunities and business ownership that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is imperative that Ramsey County work with community to eliminate the racial and ethnic wealth gap and create new prosperity that can be passed down to future generations.

Past work

While this is a new strategic priority for Ramsey County in 2022, it builds of past priorities of procurement as a tool for business inclusion, stability starts with a place to call home, and Ramsey County’s Economic Competitiveness & Inclusion Plan to prioritize future investments in housing, job creation, and workforce development.

Racial equity and shared power

The county is centering racial equity with investments in Black/African American, American Indian and other racially/ethnically diverse communities, while also collaborating with residents on specific program offerings and action steps by leveraging the county’s participation in the Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Cohort to co-create a Mobility Action Plan for addressing racial and ethnic disparities with community and coordinating with community leaders to reframe Ramsey County’s community indicators.

happy illustration home, education and family

Key actions and projects

The preservation of existing affordable housing and the construction of new multifamily housing developments for our lowest-income residents.
Expanded homeownership opportunities and assistance for first-generation homebuyers, as well as new rehab funds for emergency repairs.
Business support and growth with emphasis on technical assistance for racially and ethnically diverse developers and equity funding for local entrepreneurs.
Contracting and procurement with a focus on removing barriers for small, woman, minority business enterprises.
Implementation of Earn and Learn workforce development models that ensure holistic workforce supports for all residents with a focus on entrepreneurship and family sustaining wage careers.

Outcomes and measures

Increase in Black/African American, American Indian and other racially/ethnically diverse communities homeownership in Ramsey County.
Increased usage of homeownership opportunity funds (FirstHOME – down payment and home rehab funds)
Deeper affordability levels in new construction and preservation taking place in the county. (currently 50%-60% AMI goal to move to 30% AMI).
Aspirational diverse spend goals for county procurements to increase usage of small, woman, and minority business enterprises.
Earn and learn programs with emphasis on registration in Black/African American, American Indian and other racially/ethnically diverse communities.