1980 was a pivotal year for the City of Red Wing’s development and future growth. This was the year a Citizen’s Task Force, appointed by the mayor, recommended the establishment of a Port Authority which was to be the engine for future economic growth and development of the City. This recommendation was supported by the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Council and the AFL-CIO.

The Task Force also recommended that a visionary group be established which represented a variety of community interests. This group, Red Wing 2000, was comprised of fifteen members representing business, labor, education, the faith community, health care, government, arts and culture and the Prairie Island Council. Its purpose was to help define and support initiatives which would help Red Wing be a more vibrant community. The thinking of the group was also intended to help Red Wing continue to be a visionary community in this ever changing world.

Numerous citizens have given of their time in working with Red Wing 2000 and now, Red Wing 2020. Various mayors including Mayors Dyrstad, Cyr, Dummer, and Howe have worked closely with this organization. The general themes over these past 20 years have included economic development, education, and community development.

Red Wing 2020 has now identified and proposes to work with four broad areas: Changing demographics and its implications, Red Wing as a GREEN community, the economic growth of the community, and an infrastructure committee which will study improved road, rail and technology access. Each of these four areas will define specific initiatives that are to be fulfilled, or as in the words of their current chair, John Hanson, what gets measured, gets done!

These four committees will be soliciting community volunteers to become active in specific projects or tasks which will contribute to the improvement of Red Wing. Red Wing enjoys much citizen involvement, there will be numerous opportunities for additional community servants to be part of Red Wing as a vibrant, forward looking community.

Your involvement, support and suggestions are important as we move forward in continuing to build on Red Wing’s opportunities. Please visit each sub committee's page and then contact one of the sub committee chairs to volunteer as a community servant.

It’s your community, it’s our community!

Help us make Red Wing a better community; get involved, we encourage everyone to become a community steward.