the chamber in organizing these events, which are crucial for our community’s social fabric,”Thunstrom explains. Other events, like the annual tree-lighting ceremony in December, provide entertainment and strengthen residents’ bonds. VISIONARY GROWTH A significant focus is developing a business park along the state highway to attract commercial and industrial enterprises. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to provide local employment opportunities and reduce the need for residents to commute. Additionally, the city is working on a large subdivision project that will add over 300 homes and a multifamily apartment building with 110 units. These developments are expected to meet the housing needs of the growing population and add diversity to the housing market. “We’re pushing towards more commercial and business park-type projects,” Thunstrom says. “The single-family housing kind of comes naturally here, but it does take more work for us to get in the commercial.” The city is also capitalizing on its proximity to educational institutions. “We’ve got a technical college just south of us in the city of Anoka that offers excellent high-skill training opportunities,” Thunstrom points out. This enables local manufacturers to access a skilled workforce, enhancing the city’s business appeal. COMMITTED TO GROWTH St. Francis, Minnesota, is rising, blending its rich history and natural beauty with dynamic growth and development. Under the leadership of City Administrator Kate Thunstrom, the city is poised to continue its trajectory of thoughtful expansion, ensuring it remains a great place to live, work, and visit. Exemplifying the best of small-town America while embracing the future with open arms, the city adopts a flexible and creative approach to development. 165 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08 ST. FRANCIS, MN
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