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A lot was said Monday afternoon during a ribbon cutting ceremony for Austin’s newest apartment complex 1st & 3rd Apartments, however, the thread running through it all was a word — partnership.

After ground was broken in August of 2023, the complex celebrated the completion of the 40-unit complex on Monday, which was already around half filled with families.

“Investment means faith. Faith in the community that we are moving forward,” said Steve King during remarks prior to the ribbon cutting. “How best do we invest? Through partnerships.”

Throughout Monday’s ceremony the partnership between site developer/owner Three Rivers  Community Action, the City of Austin, Mower County, the Austin Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the Hormel Foundation were lauded for its work together in getting to this point.

“I would give a lot of kudos to the city and the HRA, the Hormel Foundation and the county that they were willing to come on board as quickly as they did with this much support,” said Susan Strandberg, community development officer for Three Rivers. “That was really key in making us a very competitive project.”

For many that were on hand Monday, it marked the end of a process that is painting an overall picture of a changing housing landscape in Austin.

In just under five years, Austin has been the building site of three apartment complexes including Flats on 21st, Mill on Main and 1st & 3rd Apartments, and another complex — Mill on Main II — is in early development.

While the process to get any development of this kind built is a lengthy process, many see Austin’s process of adding multiple complexes in a relatively short period of time as answering a need.

“It means fulfilled promises,” said Second Ward Council Member Mike Postma. “There was talk literally right when I got on the city council of bringing affordable units to town and where that might go. At the time we were trying to maximize the housing town. I’m really excited that we’ve been able to do both.”

The $16 million project was helped to this point by a boost in January of 2023, when it was announced that 1st & 3rd was one of several projects around the state that received funding from Minnesota Housing.

Strandberg said that the secured money was meaningful in keeping the project at the forefront of development.

“We were able to get this one funded the first time,” she said. “I really think we were able to point toward local support.”

With 1st & 3rd meeting a need for affordable housing in Austin, Mower County Board of Commissioners Chair John Mueller said that housing of this caliber also helps the community and the county meet another need.

Namely, jobs. 

“We all have to have that first place to live when we start a new job or a job in a new location,” Mueller said. “You can’t go in and buy a house right away in most cases. This will give people an opportunity to come in, get an apartment and start checking out the housing market.”

Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho was also on hand as well Monday and said projects like 1st & 3rd are indicative of how communities are meeting the growing need throughout the state of Minnesota when it comes to housing.

“It’s a whole community effort, that’s for sure,” Ho said. “It’s what it takes to build a community. It takes a lot of people supporting it and investing in it and it’s beautiful. That’s the fun result of all that. It’s a beautiful facility. It’s going to be a great home for 40 families.”