Baxter Supports New Food Shelf Location To Improve Access

Families in the Brainerd-Baxter area now have a shorter trip to access food assistance after the Lakes Area Food Shelf opened a new branch in Baxter this spring. According to the Brainerd Dispatch, the nonprofit officially celebrated the new location with a ribbon cutting May 7 after opening debt-free in April.

City leaders and county officials joined volunteers and staff to mark the opening. Baxter Mayor Darrel Olson highlighted the city’s collaboration with the food shelf during the project, which was about a year in the making. The new site on Excelsior Drive was created to better serve residents who previously traveled a 40- to 50-mile round trip to the organization’s longtime Pequot Lakes location.

Food shelf staff previously told the Baxter City Council that roughly 200 Brainerd and Baxter families relied on the Pequot Lakes site. In its first three weeks, the Baxter branch recovered 12,000 pounds of food from local businesses and logged volunteer support from 89 community members.

MNCityJobs.com Aims To Boost Local Government Recruitment

Today’s city workforce challenges require creative solutions, and MNCityJobs.com is designed to help.

This statewide campaign connects Minnesota cities with talented, community-minded professionals seeking meaningful, purpose-driven careers in local government. From public works and public safety to planning, finance, administration, and communications, the platform highlights the wide range of opportunities available in city government and the real impact those roles have on communities.

Through a centralized job board, promotional tools, and statewide outreach efforts, MNCityJobs.com helps cities strengthen recruitment efforts while showcasing local government as a rewarding place to build a career.

Minnesota Cities Prepare for Night to Unite Events

Minnesota cities and neighborhoods are preparing for Night to Unite, also known as National Night Out, on the first Tuesday in August. The annual event is designed to strengthen connections between residents, businesses, and public safety agencies while promoting safer communities and crime prevention awareness.

Neighborhood celebrations often include block parties, cookouts, games, and visits from police officers, firefighters, elected officials, and other city staff.

To access planning guides and promotional materials, cities and neighborhoods planning events are encouraged to register through the National Association of Town Watch at natw.org.

NLC City Summit Slated for Nashville in November

The National League of Cities (NLC) 2026 City Summit is happening Nov. 19-21, in Nashville, Tennessee. This is an event where city staff and elected officials learn about the issues affecting local government and expand their professional network.

At City Summit 2026, NLC will feature workshops that cover trending and emerging topics that impact local governments, share timely resources that can help your community thrive, and provide executive education to build your leadership skills. During this national event, you’ll connect with experts as well as your peers from across the country, and network with thought leaders from the public and private sectors. Learn more and register at citysummit.nlc.org.

Chisholm Digitizes Historic Cemetery Records With GIS Technology

The Chisholm City Council has approved a technology upgrade aimed at modernizing records at the city’s 140-year-old Calvary Cemetery. According to the Mesabi Tribune, the City Council accepted a proposal for up to $8,500 to map the cemetery using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.

City officials said cemetery records are currently maintained through paper maps, books, and index cards. Moving the information into a GIS system will preserve historical records while making them easier for staff to access and update. The project comes as the city’s current cemetery sexton prepares to retire, giving staff an opportunity to capture institutional knowledge during the transition.

The project will be funded through Chisholm’s Cemetery Improvement Fund, which is supported by cemetery lot sales. Chisholm already uses GIS technology to manage water, sewer, and storm sewer infrastructure. Once complete, the cemetery records system is expected to include a public-facing web portal where residents can search burial information online. City officials anticipate the GIS could go live by Labor Day.