The Big Build
Why Invest in Housing?
Otter Tail County has made intentional investments in rural rebound efforts to make the county front and center when people are looking for a place to relocate. However, there is a low supply of housing to meet the needs of newcomers or existing residents seeking options.
The need to expand housing opportunities is critical in addressing the County’s workforce needs. With the job vacancy rate in our northwest region above five percent, it is critical to the success of the local economy to bring new residents to the County to fill these workforce shortages, and to do so there must be a greater supply of housing available and a variety of housing available across a housing continuum.
The Big Build is the County’s housing growth initiative to build, preserve, or rehabilitate 5,000 housing units by 2025.
Housing Needs Analysis
Understanding Otter Tail County’s housing needs provides clarity and direction for housing partners to take action for housing growth. View the full Comprehensive Housing Needs Analysis prepared by Maxfield Research and Consulting.
Partnerships are Key
To accomplish The Big Build’s goal of 5,000 new, preserved, or significantly rehabbed units by 2025, partnerships to act and implement are key. Become a partner by:
- Joining a quarterly meeting of housing partners to learn from other’s successes, share resources, and develop plans and projects in your community
- Subscribing to the CDA’s partner newsletter with information about the Big Build and other key community development efforts
- Following Otter Tail County on social media to amplify the successes and efforts being shared that move our communities forward
- Reaching out to Amy Baldwin for information about available resources to support housing efforts and how the County is investing in housing
- Using an innovative and progressive perspective to share about the program with others to continue building partnerships