Press Releases
Media: View Olmsted County's latest press releases
Olmsted County HRA Board awards construction bid for affordable housing development
Olmsted County HRA Board awards construction bid for affordable housing development
On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Board awarded a construction bid for the development of 10 affordable, single-family homes to Bigelow Homes LLC.
Voting absentee in the August primary election
Voting absentee in the August primary election
Beginning Friday, June 28, 2024, eligible voters in Minnesota can vote absentee for the August 13, 2024, primary election.
Chester Woods Park celebrates grand opening of new amphitheater
Chester Woods Park celebrates grand opening of new amphitheater
Olmsted County is excited to announce the opening of its new amphitheater at Chester Woods Park. To celebrate, Chester Woods is hosting a grand opening on June 22, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring four captivating musical and dance acts.
“Be in the Know” campaign raises awareness about the dangers of substance use
“Be in the Know” campaign raises awareness about the dangers of substance use
Olmsted County is proud to announce the launch of the "Be in the Know" campaign, a comprehensive community initiative designed to inform residents about the dangers of substance use.
Conservation field day: Creating a soil health legacy
Conservation field day: Creating a soil health legacy
The Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), in collaboration with Wabasha SWCD and Winona SWCD, announces the upcoming Conservation field day: Creating a soil health legacy. This event will occur on August 1, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Larry and Ross Greden Farms at 16764 County Rd 114, Altura, MN. All attendees are invited to enjoy a complimentary lunch.
Olmsted County hosts 66th annual rabies vaccination clinic
Voucher available for $20 vaccine after event
Olmsted County hosts 66th annual rabies vaccination clinic
Voucher available for $20 vaccine after event
Olmsted County Public Health Services announces its 66th annual rabies vaccination clinic, scheduled for June 12, 2024. This important event, held in collaboration with local veterinarians, is an opportunity to protect our pets, families, and community from the threat of rabies.
Contractors encouraged to submit bids for affordable housing project
Contractors encouraged to submit bids for affordable housing project
Interested contractors have until June 14, 2024, to submit their bids online.
County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5, and CSAH 25 construction
County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5, and CSAH 25 construction
Roadway reconstruction work on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5, and CSAH 25 starting Monday, June 10, 2024.
Permanent absentee voter status update
Permanent absentee voter status update
Beginning June 1, 2024, Minnesota will introduce a permanent absentee voter list.
Mobilizing Olmsted Voices for Equity (M.O.V.E) community council launches in Olmsted County
Mobilizing Olmsted Voices for Equity (M.O.V.E) community council launches in Olmsted County
In a significant stride toward fostering a more inclusive and equitable community, Olmsted County proudly announces the creation of the Mobilizing Olmsted Voices for Equity (M.O.V.E.) community council.
State Aid Highway 21 Reconstruction Project Open House on May 30
State Aid Highway 21 Reconstruction Project Open House on May 30
Olmsted County held an open house on May 30, 2024, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Cascade Township Hall (2025 75th St NW Rochester, MN 55906), to inform the public more about the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 21 Reconstruction Project. A project location map is located below.
Concrete work on County State Aid Highway 7 starting May 9, 2024
Concrete work on County State Aid Highway 7 starting May 9, 2024
Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following road construction project beginning Thursday, May 9, 2024. Interstate Improvements, Inc. is the prime contractor for the project. The work is anticipated to be complete by June 14, 2024.
Pavement preservation and restriping on County Road (CR) 146 (3rd Avenue SE) starting the week of April 29, 2024
Pavement preservation and restriping on County Road (CR) 146 (3rd Avenue SE) starting the week of April 29, 2024
Olmsted County is announcing the following pavement preservation and restriping project starting the week of April 29, 2024.
Culvert replacement work on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 3, starting Monday, April 29, 2024
Culvert replacement work on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 3, starting Monday, April 29, 2024
Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following culvert replacement project beginning Monday, April 29, 2024.
Friends of Oxbow reaches $1 million fundraising goal for Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo nature center
Friends of Oxbow reaches $1 million fundraising goal for Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo nature center
This significant milestone marks the final step in funding the new facility which opened to the public in May 2023.
Olmsted County recognized as a Certified Age Friendly Employer™
Olmsted County recognized as a Certified Age Friendly Employer™
Olmsted County proudly announces its designation as a Certified Age Friendly Employer™ by the Age Friendly Institute. This distinction recognizes Olmsted County’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment for individuals 50 and above.
County Road (CR) 44 and Highway 14 Interchange Project public meeting on April 23, 2024
County Road (CR) 44 and Highway 14 Interchange Project public meeting on April 23, 2024
Olmsted County, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), invite residents to attend a public meeting on the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 44 and Highway 14 Interchange Project.
Culvert replacement work on County Road (CR) 102, starting Monday, April 15, 2024
Culvert replacement work on County Road (CR) 102, starting Monday, April 15, 2024
Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following culvert replacement project beginning Monday, April 15, 2024.
Olmsted County releases new multi-year strategic plan
New mission, vision, values, priorities, and goals
Olmsted County releases new multi-year strategic plan
New mission, vision, values, priorities, and goals
The county is releasing its 2024 – 2028 strategic plan to the community. The plan is the culmination of 18 months of work which involved assessing Olmsted County’s strengths, opportunities, aspirations, results, and challenges. Throughout the process, input was gathered from county representatives, partners, and community members with the overall objective of developing a shared vision for the future of the Olmsted County organization.
2024 seasonal load restrictions lifted on Olmsted County roads on April 1, 2024
2024 seasonal load restrictions lifted on Olmsted County roads on April 1, 2024
The 2024 seasonal load restrictions will be removed on Olmsted County roads starting Monday, April 1, 2024.
Olmsted County recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month
Olmsted County recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month
Olmsted County Child and Family Services employees are committed to providing services and support to ensure a safe and loving environment for children to grow up in.
Process in Olmsted County for appealing 2024 assessed property valuation and/or classification
Process in Olmsted County for appealing 2024 assessed property valuation and/or classification
If property owners do not agree with their estimated market value, they are steps they can take to begin the appeal process.
Apply for an open Olmsted County advisory board position today!
Apply for an open Olmsted County advisory board position today!
Olmsted County will be interviewing candidates for open advisory board positions during the month of April 2024. Currently, Olmsted County has openings on the following advisory boards/commissions: Public Health Services Advisory Board, Olmsted County Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Chester Heights Sewer District Advisory Board.
CSAH 44 and TH 14 interchange project receives federal funding boost
CSAH 44 and TH 14 interchange project receives federal funding boost
Construction on the project is expected to begin as soon as fall 2025.
Dodge & Olmsted (D&O) Community Corrections receives Lead Innovator Award
Dodge & Olmsted (D&O) Community Corrections receives Lead Innovator Award
The award recognizes D&O’s efforts to implement the Dosage Discharge program, and its commitment to evidence-based practices in probation services.
Vote in the March 5 presidential primary
Vote in the March 5 presidential primary
A presidential primary is held every four years ahead of the general election in November and is a way voters help states and political parties choose presidential nominees.
2024 seasonal load restrictions
2024 seasonal load restrictions
The 2024 seasonal load restrictions for Olmsted County roads will go into effect on Monday, February 26, 2024.
Olmsted County announces changes to advisory boards for human services and human rights
Olmsted County announces changes to advisory boards for human services and human rights
Olmsted County is announcing changes to two of its advisory boards, specifically the Human Services Advisory Board and the Human Rights Commission. These changes aim to enhance the effectiveness of community engagement, aligning with the county’s commitment to continuous improvement.
University of Minnesota Extension to offer Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training at Chester Woods Park and Oxbow Park
University of Minnesota Extension to offer Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training at Chester Woods Park and Oxbow Park
Do you enjoy learning about the animals, plants, rocks, and weather? If so, you should become a Minnesota Master Naturalist volunteer! Two Olmsted County Parks groups, Friends of Chester Woods and Friends of Oxbow in Rochester, MN are hosting a Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training from April 16 through May 21, 2024.
Direct balloting for March 5 presidential primary begins Friday
Direct balloting for March 5 presidential primary begins Friday
Absentee in-person direct balloting for the March 5, 2024, presidential primary begins Friday, February 16, 2024. Direct balloting allows voters to insert their ballots directly into a tabulator at the direct balloting location.
City of Chatfield Building Permit Administration
City of Chatfield Building Permit Administration
Beginning February 1, 2024, the Olmsted County Planning Department will be administering the building permit process for projects taking place within the City of Chatfield.
Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District hosts soil health event on I-90 tour
Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District hosts soil health event on I-90 tour
The Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting an upcoming stop on the “What needs to be regenerated on your farm?” I-90 tour. The event, taking part in collaboration with the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, comes to Stewartville on February 7, 2024.
Voting absentee in the 2024 presidential primary
Voting absentee in the 2024 presidential primary
Beginning Friday, January 19, 2024, through Monday, March 4, 2024, eligible voters in Olmsted County can vote absentee in the March 5, 2024, presidential primary.
New work group to provide input on new reuse and recycling center
New work group to provide input on new reuse and recycling center
Planning is beginning for a new community reuse and recycling center. A citizen work group will be meeting with Olmsted County Environmental Resources staff to provide community input. A future building is being proposed to be constructed on the east side of the existing resource recovery campus just south of the current Recycling Center Plus. The workgroup will identify ways to improve the customer experience and provide ideas for the layout of the new building as well as suggestions on signage and facility flow.
Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District hosts soil health event
OSWCD also conducting survey to gather landowner and farmer feedback
Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District hosts soil health event
OSWCD also conducting survey to gather landowner and farmer feedback
The Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District (OSWCD) is hosting free events in January and February 2024 in partnership with soil and water conservation districts in neighboring counties. The intended audience for these events is local farmers.
Strategies developed to address Olmsted County’s community health priorities
Strategies developed to address Olmsted County’s community health priorities
In the 2022 Olmsted County Community Health Needs Assessment, the community identified mental health, drug use, and access to care as the county’s top three health priorities. To address these concerns, Olmsted County Public Health Services, Olmsted Medical Center, and Mayo Clinic developed the 2024-2026 Community Health Improvement Plan.