Invest in Communities for a Resilient Future
"Community is not just about being together; it's about doing life together." -Unknown
"Whatever happened to the idea…that we all do better when we all do better?” -Senator Paul Wellstone
We are all in this together. And that means that we all need to take a good, hard look at what is going on at home. Right now, crow wing county is aging, and that impacts all of us. Just over a third of Crow Wing County residents are aged 60 or older, which by itself is not a problem, even if it is higher than both the state and national averages. The concern is that the death rate now outpaces the birth rate, meaning that our population isn't just older… it is aging. So even though the population is growing, nearly all that growth is driven by retirees relocating to the lakes. That influx is so strong that it actually masks the high number young people that are leaving the area and that families are having fewer children
Create Jobs in District 6B: Strengthening our local economy by filling critical workforce gaps, supporting the jobs that keep our small towns running, and bringing higher‑paying careers to rural communities (a rising tide lifts all boats).
Building Infrastructure: Investing in roads, water systems, public spaces, and energy infrastructure to boost local economies, support tourism, and prioritize local workers.
Stabilizing Energy Costs: Pursuing long‑term solutions to rising natural gas and electricity prices by expanding community choice and control, and supplementing existing systems with reliable renewable and alternative energy sources.
Supporting Small Businesses: Helping entrepreneurs thrive through grants, low‑interest loans, tax incentives, streamlined regulations, and targeted wage‑support programs for new hires.
Adapting Workforce Training: Expanding access to retraining and skills programs in high‑demand fields — especially for workers affected by layoffs — to meet evolving community needs.
Strengthening Safety Nets: Streamlining unemployment, food assistance, healthcare, and housing programs so families can access support quickly and securely while maintaining strong fraud prevention.