Minnesota's Most Vulnerable Cities
A report on the strength of Minnesota's cities, prepared by Strong Towns
Principal Author: Jon Commers
Our latest analysis, “Minnesota’s Most Vulnerable Cities,” illustrates that many local governments are exposed to a risky dependence on state and federal funding that grows less sustainable – and less predictable – by the year. Many local governments have developed a financial structure that’s highly exposed to the risk that state and federal funding diminishes in the future. These communities rely on state and federal funds to provide services that include streets and highways, parks and open spaces, economic development and public safety.
Our level of economic growth and our system of state and federal support have until recently insulated us from this reality: Minnesota’s places need to become more productive.
- Supplemental Briefing: A Brief History of Minnesota's System of Local Government Finance, 1960-2010
Media Coverage
- Study reveals how cities would look without LGA, by Clare Kennedy of the Owatonna People's Press
- A report on the strength of Minnesota's cities, appearing in the Sleepy Eye Herald Dispatch
- Report: Cities dependent on LGA, appearing online at Northfieldnews.com
- Study reveals how cities would look without LGA, by Ruth Ann Hager and Clare Kennedy of the Waseca County News
- Editorial: Strong medicine to spur growth, by Matt McMillan and Doug Hanneman of the Hutchinson Leader
- Report: Dire straits facing taxpayers if aid drys up, appearing in the Morris Sun Tribune
- Who's in the toughest shape when local aid vanishes?, by Dave Peters of the Minnesota Public Radio Ground Level blog
- Small towns learning to live with less, by Don Heinzman in HometownSource.com
- Report shows Minnesota's most vulnerable cities, appearing in the Pilot-Independent (subscription required)
- Small towns learning to live with less, by Don Heinzman of the Forest Lakes Times
For Strong Towns media information, click here.