MN Communities | rccip

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Our Work in

Minnesota

Communities

Active Projects

Alexandria Area

Alexandria, located in the heart of West Central Minnesota, has breathtaking clear blue lakes, serene countryside, and a rapidly growing community. Hard-working residents, close-knit communities, and scenic countryside are some of the area’s unique characteristics. The 2021 census reported 13,705 residents living in Alexandria.

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City of Eagle Lake

Eagle Lake is in the southern part of Minnesota. This small city is home to a family-friendly environment, beautiful natural landscapes, and several nearby lakes and rivers. The 2022 census reported 3,229 residents living in Eagle Lake.

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Grant County

Grant County is located in west central Minnesota and encompasses a terrain of low rolling hills dotted with lakes and agricultural land. The county was created in 1868 and named after the Civil War General and eighteenth President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant. The 2021 census reported 6,050 residents living in the county.

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Montevideo

Montevideo, with a population on 5,383, is a hub for many small towns in the region. Located in
Southwest MN, the community is proud, hardworking, and family-oriented. Montevideo was recently granted a Minnesota Veteran’s Home, a process that took over 15 years.

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City of Park Rapids

Park Rapids is a city in and the county seat of Hubbard County. Located in the Northwoods of Minnesota, it is a heartfelt, welcoming, quaint town with beautiful scenery. The 2022 census reported 4,269 residents living in Park Rapids.

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Red Lake County

Red Lake County is situated in the northwest corner of Minnesota and was named after the Red Lake
River in 1896. It is the only landlocked county in the United States to be surrounded only by two
neighboring counties.

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City of Becker

The City of Becker is in Sherburne County and is situated between the Mississippi and Elk Rivers. The city is located 19 miles southeast of St. Cloud and 46 miles northwest of Minneapolis. The 2022 census reported 4,970 residents living in Becker.

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Fergus Falls

Fergus Falls, located in west central Minnesota, is a picturesque town with clean lakes and wooded areas. The city is located in Otter Tail County, has a total area of about 15 square miles, and is near the North Dakota border. Family-oriented communities and small, yet serene landscapes are some of the area’s unique characteristics. The 2021 census reported 14,119 residents living in Fergus Falls.

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Houston County

Houston County, located in southeastern Minnesota, has picturesque landscapes, historic towns, and farmland. Hard-working residents, close-knit communities, and stunning scenery are some of its unique characteristics. The 2021 census reported 18,778 residents living in Houston County.

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Nobles County

Nobles County is located in southwestern Minnesota and is part of the Buffalo Ridge geological structure. A significant amount of Nobles County's historical character is preserved, while the county has evolved into a remarkably diverse community. The 2021 census reported 22,183 residents living in Nobles County.

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City of Pipestone

The county of Pipestone is located in southwestern Minnesota and is home to the historic Pipestone quarries, beautiful tallgrass prairie, manmade reservoirs, and the picturesque Winnewissa waterfall. The 2021 census reported 4,190 residents living in the City of Pipestone.

Past Projects

Austin

Austin, MN is a rural community in Southeastern MN with a population of approximately 24,000. The city is home to numerous employers including a Fortune 500 company.

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Bemidji

Surrounded by pristine lakes and deep forests, Bemidji is a friendly, family community
with a population of about 15,300.

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Becker County

Becker County is located in West Central Minnesota, and has a population of approximately 34,100 people

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Brainerd Lakes Area

Brainerd is a city in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, United States. Its population was 13,592 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Crow Wing County, and is one of the largest cities in Central Minnesota.

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Carlton County

Carlton County is located in North East Minnesota, south of Duluth and is one of the fastest growing counties in NE Minnesota- home to just over 35,000 people.

Clay County

Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 58,999. Its county seat is Moorhead

Dawson- Boyd

Dawson, Minnesota is a progressive community located in Southwestern Minnesota with a population of 1,540. The city is a thriving town positioned on the Lac qui Parle River and U.S. Highway 212.

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City of Warren

Warren is in the Northwest corner of Minnesota, named for Charles H. Warren, a railroad official. With a population of 1,600 residents, agriculture continues to hold a predominate role in its local economy.

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Cook County

Cook County is in Northeastern Minnesota, surrounded by Lake Superior, the Boundary Waters
Wilderness Area and Canada. The 2010 U.S. Census reports that 5,176 people make their permanent
home within the county.

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East Grand Forks

East Grand Forks, located in the Red River Valley region, has a population around 9,176. The community includes the city as well as the hinterlands of Northwest Minnesota.

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Fairmont

The City of Fairmont, located in south central Minnesota has a total population of 10,593. According to the labor market profile, the county is experiencing a rapid increase in industrial job creation.

Itasca County

Itasca County is a county located in the State of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 45,058. Its county seat is Grand Rapids.

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Koochiching County

Koochiching County is on the far Northern edge of Minnesota, sharing a border with Canada, with only about 13,000 residents county wide.

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Hutchinson

Hutchinson, located in southwestern Minnesota, is a cozy, hometown community that nestles along the South Fork of the Crow River. Hutchinson is 9.02 square miles and is the largest city in McLeod County. The 2021 census reported 13,935 residents living in Hutchinson

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Kandiyohi County

Kandiyohi County with a territory of 800 square miles, and a population of approximately 42,510 is located in west central Minnesota

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Madelia

Madelia is a small rural community located in Southern Minnesota. The city, located along the
Watonwan River, has a population of 2,308 according to the 2010 census. The largest industries in the
community are food processing, health care and agriculture.

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Meeker County

Meeker County is in West Central Minnesota with a total population of just over 23,000 and is home to some of the state's largest dairy and poultry operations as well.

Northwest Area

Our analysis of the Northwest Region included the following counties: Marshall, Norman, Pennington, and Polk.

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New Ulm

New Ulm is a city in Brown County, located in Southern Minnesota, near the Minnesota River and
Cottonwood River. The population is 13, 522 according to the 2010 Census. New Ulm is home to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and Martin Luther College.

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Ortonville

Ortonville is a city in Big Stone County at the southern tip of Big Stone Lake, along the border of South Dakota. The community has many strong features including an amazing 18-hole golf course,
booming lake economy, hometown feel, top scale health care system, and real estate opportunities that are growing every day.

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Quad Cities

The rural communities located in St. Louis County and referred to as the Quad Cities, include Virginia, Eveleth, Gilbert, and Mountain Iron. The Quad Cities have a combined population of 19,350.

Redwood County

Redwood County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,059. Its county seat is Redwood Falls, located along the Redwood River near its confluence with the Minnesota River.

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Red Wing Area

The community of Red Wing is the seat of Goodhue County and has a population of about 16,000. It is located 50 miles SE of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

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Renville County

Renville County is a rural community located in South-Central Minnesota, along the Minnesota River, roughly 90 minutes west of Minneapolis. The county’s population is approximately 15,730.

Roseau County

Roseau is a relatively small community with a population around 2,800. It is home to world-class manufacturing, research and development, medical facilities, and excellent public school district.

Southwest Region

Our analysis of the Southwest Region included the following counties: Big Stone, Chippewa County, Lac Qui Parle, and Swift.

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Wadena County

Wadena County is located in central Minnesota and has a population of almost 14,000. The community prides itself on its educational systems including strong support for school district referendums and two Community and Technical Colleges.

Sibley County

Sibley County is located in southcentral Minnesota. The population at the 2000 census was 15,356.

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Stevens County

Stevens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 9,726.

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Winona County

Winona County is located in Southeast Minnesota on the picturesque bluffs of the Mississippi River. The county has incorporated old-world charm with sophisticated restaurants and family activities.

©2020 Rural Child Care Innovation Program

A program of First Children's Finance sponsored by Minnesota Department of Human Services

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