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Charting aMoreCompetitive and <br /> Equitable Economic Future <br /> For decades, Ramsey County has seen steady economic growth as the broader region seized opportunities in health and life <br /> sciences,food and water, headquarters and business services,financial services and insurance, and advanced manufacturing. <br /> Ramsey County sits in the heart of the Twin Cities'seven-county metropolitan area and is the second most populous county <br /> in the state. With more than 550,000 residents, it is the most fully developed, racially diverse and densely populated county <br /> in Minnesota. Development of this Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan began in early 2020 and initial observations <br /> noted an economy with the following characteristics: <br /> • Nearing full employment,with tight labor market conditions but also the realization that many residents, particularly <br /> Black, Latinx,Asian, and Indigenous people face barriers to workforce participation,family-sustaining wages and <br /> affordable housing <br /> • Transit corridor development building momentum with a focus on the Riverview Corridor, Rush Line, <br /> and METRO Gold Line <br /> • A desire to create a more intentional and comprehensive inclusive economic and workforce development alignment <br /> • Strong economic development infrastructure with rail, river, and air infrastructure <br /> The secret to Ramsey County's growth is the thing that makes its economy unique: <br /> A place as rich in cultural vitality as it is rich in economic opportunity <br /> Ramsey County has the most diverse population of any county in Minnesota. Its racial and <br /> ethnic makeup mirrors that of the United States. Black,Asian, Latinx, Indigenous, and multi- <br /> racial populations of color comprise roughly 40% of the county's current population.The <br /> largest populations of color are Asian (13%) and Black <br /> (11.1%).About 7.3%of residents have a Hispanic or Latinx <br /> • <br /> ethnic background. 21.9% of residents aged five years and #1111111: • <br /> • <br /> older live in homes where a language other than English <br /> is spoken.A diversity of culture and heritage uniquely <br /> position Ramsey County to create economic opportunity. 111 . <br /> Inviting visitors to explore, learn about, and experience <br /> the many cultures in Ramsey County, known as`cultural <br /> tourism,' not only creates new economic opportunities butov <br /> , <br /> will elevate awareness of the many rich cultures present. I <br /> set <br /> • <br /> • ' <br /> 9 <br />