Pelican Rapids Press Online

By Tom Hintgen,
Otter Tail County Correspondent
Otter Tail County’s Community Development and Housing Department continues to connect people throughout the county with successful housing programs, workforce development, child care, business development, and other efforts.
“Housing remains foundational to county government’s ability to help attract and retain residents and workforce,” said Amy Baldwin, Otter Tail County Community Development Director, to the county board of commissioners Tuesday morning, Feb. 10, at the County Government Services Center in Fergus Falls.
The Community Development and Housing Department builds partnerships to expand housing throughout the county by seeking funding opportunities. “We take on roles that range from convener and technical advisor to project initiator and developer,” Baldwin said.
In Pelican Rapids, county government acted as the developer for the Pinewood Estates single-family housing project. This was accomplished using a model grounded in community input and strategic funding. “Local residents assumed home ownership, demonstrating the success of this approach for new housing,” Baldwin added.
Over in Battle Lake, the Lincoln workforce housing apartments were completed following support from Otter Tail County. There was also community engagement, technical assistance to secure grant funding, and direct financing to the developer.
“A strong workforce is essential to employer success and community stability,” said Baldwin to county commissioners. “Our county workforce strategy guides efforts to promote the availability of jobs in our county, help employers recruit and retain workers and create partnerships.”
Otter Tail County experienced a year of growth for the Empowered Worker Program. This is a county-initiated workforce development program that provides individualized workforce navigation services to individuals facing barriers to employment.
“We help participants identify career pathways, access training, and secure employment in household-sustaining wage jobs while building a pipeline of qualified and motivated workers for local employers,” Baldwin said. “
She said quality and affordable childcare is essential for people in order to live and work in Otter Tail County. “We supported a project that added family child care units in the city of Ottertail,” Baldwin said, “creating close to 56 new child care slots for the community and the surrounding area.”
In addition, the Community Development and Housing Department has worked alongside employers and community leaders from throughout the county to explore right-sized child care solutions that align with local needs. “Hands on technical assistance, mentorships and coordination help stabilize existing day care providers,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin emphasized to county commissioners that supporting a resilient and competitive business environment is critical to Otter Tail County’s economy. Key partners in all community development efforts include the 22 communities and 62 townships in Otter Tail County. In place is a Community Growth Partnership Grant Program.
Accomplishments
during 2025
• 336 new housing units and 54 rehabbed units added this past year; more than $87.2 million of housing investment
• $240,000 grant awarded to Otter Tail County from the state of Minnesota for child care assistance
• County delivery of more than 590 hours of technical assistance and mentorship from child care project managers to existing providers, new providers, and community partners
• County funding provided to Battle Lake, New York Mills, and Clitherall Township to support commercial rehabilitation of businesses in their communities
• Otter Tail County is working with Otter Tail Lakes Country organization to advance tourism and engage with students who are preparing to enter the workforce, and connect them to career opportunities available in Otter Tail County.

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