DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the candidates responses are the sole views of their own. They do not reflect the opinions or views of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce or its members. The candidate statements below do not imply the expression of any endorsement whatsoever by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce or its members.
District 2
David Senjem (I)
Given the Rochester areas current growth, how would you support economic development and revitalization across the county?
First and foremost the role of county government is to provide a level of governance and community betterment that provides for important physical infrastructure while pursuing, where needed, necessary and important human support and social infrastructure. These core functions of county government are key to the fabric of community excellence and set the stage for economic growth. In my opinion Olmsted County government has had a long tradition of excellence in providing traditional county services that support economic development in addition to financial support and board participation in Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc.
Further, with respect to this question the participation of Olmsted County, the City of Rochester, and the State of Minnesota’s in the ongoing Destination Medical Center (DMC) economic development initiative cannot be understated. Combined with Mayo Foundation’s estimated $6B investment, DMC is arguably among the largest single-location economic development programs in the history of the United States.
What more can be done?
The county has been studying a tax abatement policy which I favor and will come to the county board table for a vote in the near future.
A strong relationship between local government and the business community is essential to a thriving economy. How would you foster a strong partnership between the county and the business community, from policy decisions to quality of life?
There is no question that growing and thriving counties have growing and thriving businesses. Fortunately, at the present time Olmsted County is among the 15 out of eighty-seven counties that could be regarded as growing and thriving in part, I believe, in part, because the county board understands the importance of economic vitality to the ability of government to provide needed resources to carry out its mission. The Olmsted County Board stands ready to consider the interests of the business community in all of its policy decisions but that requires that the business community more actively engages with the county board with one voice in public per open meeting law requirements. One initiative, for instance, that would be beneficial would be a conversation around how county government might work with local businesses to buy local. I believe we can do a better job on this and as we do we better support local businesses.
Karuna Ojanen
Given the Rochester areas current growth, how would you support economic development and revitalization across the county?
The candidate has not yet submitted responses.
A strong relationship between local government and the business community is essential to a thriving economy. How would you foster a strong partnership between the county and the business community, from policy decisions to quality of life?
The candidate has not yet submitted responses.
Gabe Perkins
Given the Rochester areas current growth, how would you support economic development and revitalization across the county?
We can’t grow our economy without addressing affordable housing. I plan to advocate for the design a unified 15-20 strategic plan on how we need to meet the needs of housing in our area. A coalition, where we can bring in small business owners, builders, bankers, planners, USDA, seniors, townships, local communities like Eyota, Byron and Chatfield to develop a quality plan. Without affordable housing, our workforce will move on.
I would like to see what we can do in our community to attract more businesses, outside of the medical community. We need a balanced business community. We have the best medical community. There needs to be additional businesses we can attract. What is our plan to attract them?
A strong relationship between local government and the business community is essential to a thriving economy. How would you foster a strong partnership between the county and the business community, from policy decisions to quality of life?
My goal is to be active partner with the business community. When you think partner, think Perkins. We achieve more when we collaborate. My father and grandfather were both small business members and were active in the local Chatfield Commercial Club and NFIB. I am very passionate about small business. As a leader, it is important to be approachable and be proactive listening to the business owners. Before a policy is implemented, local government leaders need to engage with the business owners. I want to do what I can to support local, small businesses.
District 6
Bob Hopkins (I)
Given the Rochester areas current growth, how would you support economic development and revitalization across the county?
While Rochester and Olmsted County benefit from highly effective organizations focused on business recruitment, tourism promotion, and community development, no county-level entity currently exists with the authority to finance, develop, own, market, and manage strategic economic assets across the entire county.
I support establishing an Olmsted County Economic Development Authority (EDA) that would provide the tools necessary to transform major public investments into long-term economic growth. The EDA would serve as the county's primary economic development financing and development organization, focused on creating jobs, expanding the tax base, supporting private- sector investment, and enhancing economic resilience throughout Olmsted County.
By expanding the county's tax base through strategic economic development projects, the EDA can help improve fiscal sustainability while reducing long-term pressure on residential property taxpayers. As new businesses locate and expand within Olmsted County, the resulting growth in property values, payroll, and economic activity contributes to the county's long- term financial health.
A strong relationship between local government and the business community is essential to a thriving economy. How would you foster a strong partnership between the county and the business community, from policy decisions to quality of life?
Olmsted County is a leader in investing in sustainability and quality of life programs such as the Waste to Energy Facility and our best-in-class parks and trails. I support creating the conditions for businesses and families to thrive by investing in infrastructure, workforce development, affordable housing, childcare, and transportation. These are not just quality-of-life priorities, they are essential economic development investments. Employers cannot grow if workers cannot find homes they can afford. That's why I support expanding partnerships that increase the supply of affordable housing for working families.
Businesses thrive where people want to live and work. By protecting our natural resources, maintaining safe communities, and making thoughtful, data-driven investments, we can create good-paying jobs, broaden our tax base, and strengthen Olmsted County's long-term economic future while preserving the outstanding quality of life that makes our community one of Minnesota's best places to live, work, and raise a family.
Tawonda Burks
Given the Rochester areas current growth, how would you support economic development and revitalization across the county?
I would support economic development by making sure growth benefits the entire county, not just areas already thriving. That means investing in the businesses that are already here, helping entrepreneurs start and scale, expanding access to capital, and reducing barriers that keep small and minority owned businesses from competing for county opportunities.
Economic development must also address the realities families face every day. If workers can’t find affordable housing, childcare, or reliable transportation, businesses struggle to grow. Those issues are economic issues.
I also believe we should revitalize underused commercial spaces, strengthen partnerships with our existing economic development organizations rather than creating more bureaucracy, and ensure taxpayer investments produce measurable results. Success isn’t measured by the number of new buildings we celebrate. It’s measured by whether local businesses stay open, wages grow, families can build wealth, and every community in Olmsted County shares in the opportunity.
A strong relationship between local government and the business community is essential to a thriving economy. How would you foster a strong partnership between the county and the business community, from policy decisions to quality of life?
Strong partnerships begin with trust, and trust begins with listening. As County Commissioner, I would ensure business owners have a seat at the table before major policy decisions are made, not after they’ve been finalized. Our job is to remove barriers, not create them.
I also believe a strong economy depends on a strong community. Businesses thrive when families have access to affordable housing, a skilled workforce, reliable infrastructure, safe neighborhoods, and quality mental health services. These are not separate issues; they are economic issues.
I would strengthen collaboration with our existing economic development organizations, support local businesses before recruiting new ones, and hold ourselves accountable by measuring outcomes, not just announcements. The county should be a reliable partner that listens, responds, and creates an environment where businesses of every size can grow, create jobs, and invest confidently in Olmsted County.
Michael Wojcik
Given the Rochester areas current growth, how would you support economic development and revitalization across the county?
I pledge to not attempt to ban award winning children’s books at the Rochester Public Library. This is absolutely toxic to the talent we need to attract. Our community needs to be better than this.
Housing is the needed answer. If we don’t have housing we don't have enough workers and we don’t have growth. We especially need housing that is affordable to those at or below the county AMI and the growing population that cannot drive. We have a critical and growing shortage of housing despite spending the most HRA tax levy funds we ever have. The County has a long history of infrastructure decisions that have made taxes higher and housing harder. Currently there are no policies tying infrastructure investments to sustainable housing.
A strong relationship between local government and the business community is essential to a thriving economy. How would you foster a strong partnership between the county and the business community, from policy decisions to quality of life?
I have an MBA and have successfully run small businesses for 20 years. The people of our community are the businesses of our community and vice versa. We must meet the needs of our people. The people of this region deserve accessible housing, transportation options, clean water, access to food, healthcare, schools, parks, arts and libraries. The businesses that care about our community share these values and I look forward to partnering with these community leaders.