BEMIDJI — Bemidji will host its first-ever rental housing seminar next month. The event will include child care and transportation to bring tenants, landlords and other stakeholders together.
Bemidji has had a tight rental market for years, and as the city’s affordable housing stock rapidly ages, conversations on housing are frequent in Bemidji’s halls of government.
Working with Beltrami County Health and Human Services and Bi-County Community Action Plan, or BiCAP, city rental inspector Ben Hein helped create the First City Rental Housing Seminar from 2 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23.
The event at the Sanford Center will include child care, with transportation points at Bemidji’s Lueken’s Village Foods stores and City Hall.
"Bemidji is a unique community with unique challenges, and this just kind of seems like the right next move is to get everybody under one roof," Hein said.
Council members posed some questions about accessibility and food options during Hein’s presentation Monday but voiced their support of the seminar that aims to address Bemidji’s housing needs.
City Manager Rich Spiczka clarified that the seminar will have good information for all who are involved with Bemidji’s housing market, including landlords.
"I think we all understand that this isn't solving all the problems, but we hope it's a good place to jump off of and start from to be able to make some inroads there," Spiczka said.
Registration is requested, but not required, with more information on the city of Bemidji’s website.
-
Plus: Co-owner of The Pines in Grand Rapids Kyle Lussier was nominated for a James Beard award; the Minnesota DNR will accept comment on adjusting Aitkin County's public waters through Feb. 27; and MnDOT announced more than $76 million in transportation grants. -
Contributed/Nicole Neri | Minnesota ReformerOrganizers say 100 clergy were arrested Jan. 23, 2026, at a morning protest at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. -
Contributed/University of Minnesota Press photosIn "What Doesn’t Kill Me Makes Me Weirder and Harder to Relate To," Lucia reflects on her life in radio, surviving stalking and why she chose to tell her story. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe first of two Native American Heritage Nights Jan. 20, 2026, included drumming, dancing and an Ojibwe-language broadcast. The second is Jan. 30 against Grand Rapids. -
Events this week include ConnectEffect in Brainerd, a rummage and bake sale at the Bemidji Senior Center and an art class in Pine River. -
Contributed/Becker County Sheriff's Office & Clearwater County Sheriff's OfficeBecker County Sheriff Todd Glander and Clearwater County Sheriff Darin Halverson recently announced they wouldn't seek reelection in 2026. -
Plus: Nisswa City Council votes to censure Mayor Jennifer Carnahan and strip her of committee posts; and a general strike against ICE presence in Minnesota is Friday.
-
During the Phenology Report for the week of Jan. 20, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on winter porcupines, woodpecker behavior, and aspen flower buds. -
Contributed/Jimmy Emerson via FlickrPermits are needed to visit the Boundary Waters in May through September. The Superior National Forest encourages planning your backcountry trip and only reserving permits you can use. -
Contributed/US House Clerk YouTube screenshotThe area is located in the Rainy River Watershed, next to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and contains deposits of copper, nickel and cobalt.
