Destination Medical Center Corp. approves $8.2 million budget

A public group that will help guide future growth in Rochester has approved its first operating budget of $8.2 million for this year.

The Destination Medical Center Corporation will focus on city development to support growth at the Mayo Clinic, which has launched a 20-year, $5 billion plan to remake its flagship campus.

Patricia Simmons, chair of Mayo's private economic development agency, said most of the money will pay for planning, architecture and engineering consultants, as well as legal and marketing services.

"It involves the costs of a startup company: new hires, communications, a variety of functions," Simmons said. "It's a one-year budget that really has the big items we need to start in on right now."

Simmons expects the budget, which is funded by the city of Rochester, to be lower in subsequent years once the board approves a development plan.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.