By Luke Fischer

Throughout the year, I have the special privilege of meeting with our members in city halls, community centers, and coffee shops across the state. These conversations are not driven by formal agendas. Instead, each is an opportunity to hear from folks about the challenges they face and what gives them hope.

The stories we hear are remarkable. Despite financial pressures and political challenges, and with a level of determination known only to local elected officials with a dream, cities in Minnesota continue to get things done. As we start the new year, I thought it would be fun to share some inspiration from your peers.

Addressing community needs

Wright, Minnesota
Population 168

I first met the Mayor of Wright, Donovan Ranta, a few years ago. Over a cup of coffee, he told me Wright needed a new City Hall and community gathering space, and that he intended to make it happen. We stayed in touch over the years, and he recently shared that the city had secured a building and opened it this past summer.

In December, I had a chance to visit the space, and it is wonderful. Bethlehem Lutheran Church faced a dwindling congregation and made the difficult decision to consolidate with a sister church in Cromwell. Former Church Board President and community booster Mark Dahlman understood Mayor Ranta’s vision, saw this as a win-win opportunity, and helped facilitate the sale of the church to the city.

The community was able to retain this important gathering place, the City Council now has an accessible meeting space, and the project sparked new energy around Wright’s annual summer celebration, “Wrong Days in Wright.” Read more about Wright’s efforts in the Nov-Dec 2025 issue of Minnesota Cities magazine.

Engaging the public

Baldwin, Minnesota
Population 7,500

Minnesota’s newest city, Baldwin, was incorporated in 2024. As you might expect, the transition from township to city comes with big questions about municipal state aid, stormwater regulations, and land use. Residents are navigating a lot of change.

Under the careful leadership of Mayor Jay Swanson, residents are finding ways to be heard and to contribute. Faced with infrastructure challenges involving roads, stormwater, and facilities, the City Council chose to actively seek public input.

While many cities struggle to recruit volunteers for boards and commissions, Baldwin had 13 residents step up to serve on a newly formed Infrastructure Committee. This group will play a special role advising the City Council on community priorities as the city prepares to make strides in its transition into a full-fledged municipality

Working collaboratively

Southeastern Minnesota League of Municipalities (SEMLM)

In southeastern Minnesota, Brenda Johnson, executive director of SEMLM, brings together city officials from 11 counties to build a unified voice for legislative advocacy, education, networking, and collaborative problem solving. The group has been a force for good in the region and has successfully worked together to advance shared priorities at the Legislature.

Throughout the fall, SEMLM began an ambitious discussion about the region’s future, exploring questions about development and transportation needs, with particular attention to water and wastewater issues. While the outcomes are still to be determined, the level of engagement from local officials is notable.

Through regular meetings, city officials participating in SEMLM learn from one another, share perspectives on shared challenges, and build trust. The meetings are positive, welcoming, and focused on the future.

Whether addressing community needs, engaging residents, or collaborating with neighbors, city officials are doing remarkable work. In each of these examples, ideas that started small — a need for a place to gather, a need for more input, a need to work together — grew into something tangible and far-reaching.

This kind of ingenuity is not limited to Wright, Baldwin, or the southeastern region. All across Minnesota, local leaders are bringing positive, practical leadership to the places they call home. As we begin the new year, I hope you can meet the challenges in your community with the same spirit as Donovan, Jay, and Brenda.

Luke Fischer is executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities. Contact: [email protected] or (651) 281-1279.