Brainerd HRA

10/14/2026

10/14/2026

🎃 Start your Halloween fun a day early!

Join the Brainerd Police Department and Brainerd Fire Department on Friday, October 30—the day before Halloween—for treats, safety tips, and a visit with Safety Pup!

⏰ 3:30–5:30 p.m.
📍 Brainerd Police Department, 225 East River Road

Put on your costumes, bring the family, and help us kick off a safe and happy Halloween! 🚓🚒🍬

10/14/2026

📢 CONSTRUCTION NOTICE: Updated Road Closure – Greenwood Street from Woodland Hills Lane to Highway 371B (S 6th Street) - UPDATE
Construction Dates: October 5, 2026 – October 23, 2026
Project Area: Greenwood Street between Woodland Hills Lane and Highway 371B (S 6th Street).

As part of ongoing construction by Kuepers Construction at the intersection of Greenwood Street and Highway 371B (S 6th Street), Greenwood Street will be closed to traffic between Woodland Hills Lane and Highway 371B (S 6th Street) starting October 5, 2026. Kuepers Construction and its subcontractor, Pratt's Affordable Excavating, will be installing new watermain using directional drilling methods to extend service to the construction site and further down Greenwood Street to its intersection with Highway 371B. The roadway will be fully closed to traffic during installation. The road may reopen earlier depending on how construction progresses, but drivers should plan for the full closure period noted above.

What to expect:
• Greenwood Street will be fully closed from October 5, 2026 through October 23, 2026.
Traffic should find alternate routes around this closure, which may include Buffalo Hills Lane.
Please slow down and use caution when driving around or through the construction zones.
For questions, contact City of Brainerd Public Works at (218) 828-2307.

10/13/2026

🎉 Community Support Needed for North Star Public Housing Residents! 🎉

The Brainerd HRA is seeking donations from local businesses to help make our North Star Resident Education Program a success!

Residents earn raffle tickets by attending educational presentations focused on topics such as health, safety, financial wellness, community resources, and independent living skills. At the end of the program, participants can use those tickets to enter prize drawings featuring donations from generous local businesses.

These incentives encourage participation, reward learning, and help build a stronger sense of community among our residents.

💙 A Special Thank You to Our Current Donors!

We are incredibly grateful to:

✅ CatTale's Books & Gifts for donating a book certificate.
✅ Crow Wing Food Co-op for donating gift certificates.
✅ Big Jay's Pizza Arcade for donating arcade gift cards.
✅ The Crossing Arts for donating puzzles.
✅ Mickey's Pizza & Subs for donating gift certificates.

Thank you for investing in our residents and being outstanding community partners!

🎁 Would your business like to help?

We're looking for:

Gift Cards
Merchandise
Event Tickets
Services
Restaurant Certificates
Family Activities
Raffle Prizes of Any Kind

Every donation helps make our resident programs more engaging and rewarding.

For donation information, please contact:

Kate 📞 218-824-3421
📧 [email protected]

Together, we can make a positive impact in the lives of North Star residents.

10/06/2026

🏗️ Building Housing. Strengthening Communities. Growing Our Tax Base.

Did you know the Crow Wing County Housing Trust Fund (HTF) offers New Development and Redevelopment Financing to help create new housing opportunities throughout Crow Wing County?

Many housing projects struggle because there is a financing "gap" between what a bank can lend and the total cost of development. The HTF helps fill that gap by providing flexible financing that allows projects to move forward while maintaining affordability requirements.

✅ Supports new housing construction and redevelopment projects
✅ Helps create workforce and affordable housing opportunities
✅ Leverages private investment and primary lender financing
✅ Encourages long-term affordability commitments
✅ Strengthens local communities and economic growth

Why does this matter to county residents?

When new housing is built, local employers have more opportunities to attract and retain workers. Families have more housing choices. Vacant or underutilized properties can be transformed into productive developments. As new housing is added, property values and taxable improvements increase, helping expand the local tax base and support public services. At the same time, housing development creates construction jobs and generates economic activity that benefits local businesses.

The Housing Trust Fund is not simply an expense. It is an investment that helps attract millions of dollars in additional public and private development funding while creating housing assets that serve Crow Wing County for decades. Recent program guidelines require participating developments to maintain affordable housing commitments, ensuring long-term community benefit.

📍 Whether it's a new apartment community, workforce housing development, or redevelopment of an underutilized site, the Crow Wing County Housing Trust Fund is helping create housing solutions that support residents, employers, and the future of our communities.

Learn more about Crow Wing County HRA programs and how housing investments are making a difference across the county.

10/05/2026

🏗️🎉 Groundbreaking for The Lofts of Pequot Lakes! 🎉🏗️

Exciting progress is underway as Corner Lot Development has officially broken ground on The Lofts of Pequot Lakes, a new housing development that will help expand housing opportunities in our region. This project represents an important investment in the future of Pequot Lakes and Crow Wing County by increasing the availability of quality housing for residents.

Housing development plays a vital role in supporting local employers, strengthening communities, and providing more options for individuals and families seeking a place to call home. We are excited to see this project move from planning to construction and look forward to following its progress.

Congratulations to Corner Lot Development and all the partners involved in bringing this project to life!

📍 Pequot Lakes, Minnesota



For those interested in learning more about the project, Corner Lot's announcement can be found here: View the Groundbreaking Announcement

The roughly $16 million development will bring one- and two-bedroom homes to a market where jobs are growing faster than housing.

10/05/2026

🚌 Getting Around Baxter Just Got More Affordable!
Baxter fares now match Brainerd fares, making it more affordable to use Brainerd & Crow Wing Public Transit!
📍 Trips originating in Baxter:
➡️ Advance-booked trip: $3.00 (formerly $7.00)
➡️ Same-day trip: $5.00 (formerly $11.00)

Whether you're heading to work, an appointment, shopping, visiting friends and family, or just need a ride around town — we're here for you!
Our service is open to everyone and provides convenient, curb-to-curb transportation.

To schedule a ride or for more information:
📞218-825-7433
📧 [email protected]
🌐 brainerdmn.gov/195/Transit
📱 Brainerd Dial A Ride app
💻 brainerdmn.gov/655/Spare-Rider-App-and-Web-Portal
Lower fares. Same great service. Give us a try! 🚌

09/29/2026

How the Crow Wing County Housing Trust Fund Creates Housing Opportunities
🏗️ A project needs financing
Developers often face a funding gap between construction costs and what traditional lenders can provide.
💰 HTF provides gap financing
The Crow Wing County Housing Trust Fund helps bridge that gap, allowing quality housing projects to move forward. The program supports new development and redevelopment while leveraging private investment.
🏘️ New housing is created
Workforce and affordable housing opportunities are added throughout Crow Wing County, helping serve local families, workers, seniors, and employers.
📈 Tax base grows
New construction and redevelopment add taxable value to properties, strengthening the county's tax base.
🤝 Communities benefit
More housing supports local businesses, attracts workers, encourages economic growth, revitalizes underutilized properties, and helps build stronger communities for everyone.
Crow Wing County Housing Trust Fund
Investing local dollars to leverage larger investments, expand housing opportunities, and create lasting community value.

09/28/2026

🏠 Investing in Brainerd’s Future, One Home and Neighborhood at a Time!

For 60 years, the Brainerd HRA has been dedicated to strengthening our community, supporting local homeowners, and expanding safe, affordable housing options. Whether it’s through owner-occupied rehabilitation loans, energy efficiency upgrades, or community development projects, we are here to help local families thrive.

Watch the video above to see how our programs make a lasting impact right here in Brainerd!

https://youtu.be/r44_G4x6uuE?si=AEwuNLBoOMjmw8v1

💡 Want to learn more or see if you qualify for our rehabilitation programs?

Call Us: 218-824-3438

Email: [email protected]

Visit: Brainerd HRA page

This is video 12 of 12 in the Fair Housing Video Series for the Dea...