6 Reasons Young Professionals Love Living in Owatonna, MN

This city has everything residents need to build their lives and careers.

By Stephanie Figy on February 8, 2024

Four seasons of fun, activities for all ages, a revitalized downtown, and friendly, welcoming residents – it’s no wonder Owatonna, MN, has reached young people’s radars. This city has everything they need to grow their careers, develop professional and friend groups, have fun when off the clock, and, if they prefer, raise a family. In other words, living in Owatonna, MN, is a must.

CreditPhoto courtesy of: Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

“Owatonna gives you the opportunities to be involved in whatever suits you best,” says Jason Van Houdt, a young professional working as a manager at CliftonLarsonAllen, a professional services firm. “With a wide range of activities and organizations, everyone can find a compelling reason to live in town.”

Here are six reasons young professionals love living in Owatonna, MN.

1. Entertainment in Owatonna, MN

From breweries and great restaurants to live music and a growing arts scene, Owatonna keeps its residents engaged and entertained.

“My wife and I like to go to Foremost Brewing Cooperative and Mineral Springs Brewery for their trivia nights and other events,” says Marcus Oyloe, project coordinator at Wenger Corp., which provides products and solutions for music and theater education, performing arts, athletic equipment storage, etc. “During the warmer months, we walk our dog in Kaplan’s Woods Park, frequent the farmers market and enjoy the local golf courses and tennis courts.”

Other recreation activities available include pickleball, biking and sand volleyball. A recently opened indoor golf simulator, Inside Swing, keeps sports enthusiasts active during the winter.

2. Networking Opportunities in Owatonna, MN

Oyloe and Van Houdt both participate in Y-Pro, a young professionals networking group through the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce. Throughout the year, the organization hosts lunch and learns, social gatherings, outdoor activities and community events.

“Y-Pro offers the best networking opportunities for young adults in Owatonna,” Van Houdt says. “We get around 30 people at our events, which gives people the opportunity to talk in small groups. The chamber also hosts events to encourage networking in larger group settings. This helps people branch out more and talk to other people in the community.”

Oyloe is also on the committee for Hops for Habitat, an annual beer sampling fundraiser that supports Two Rivers Habitat for Humanity – another great way to get involved in the region.

CreditPhoto courtesy of: Lauren Everhard

3. Owatonna, MN, is Family Friendly

Those living in Owatonna are met with an excellent environment to raise children. It’s home to a highly rated public school district, Owatonna Public Schools, which includes a newly constructed, state-of-the-art high school.

“The school system in the area is fantastic, and there are many great kid activities,” Oyloe says. “All of my friends who have kids say they wouldn’t move anywhere else.”

Kids can burn off energy at Lake Kohlmier, the Straight River or River Springs Water Park in the summer. And when the Straight River freezes, it becomes an ice skating destination.

Any Minnesotan with kids also relies on indoor options for entertainment during the deep freeze, and Owatonna delivers with the Village of Yesteryear, a 15-structure village that’s reminiscent of the 1800s, and the aquarium at Owatonna’s Cabela’s. Just next door in Medford is the Reptile and Amphibian Discovery Zoo, where families can explore the world of reptiles and amphibians.

4. Opportunities for Entrepreneurs in Owatonna, MN

Local businesses thrive in Owatonna, thanks to resident support and available resources. The Owatonna Area Business Development Center, for example, provides the amenities needed to launch or grow a business, such as loan support, consulting, office space and conference rooms.

The center provides free business counseling on topics like tax planning, business plan development and licensing requirements.

In recognition of the city’s commitment to building a supportive business environment, Owatonna was named the 2023 Minnesota Retail Community of the Year by the Minnesota Retailers Association.

“Owatonna’s dedication to fostering a dynamic and supportive business environment exemplifies the essence of a Retail Community of the Year,” Bruce Nustad, president of the Minnesota Retailers Association, said in a press release. “Their commitment to collaboration, growth and community well-being serves as a model for communities across Minnesota.”

5. Owatonna, MN, Boasts a Growing Economy

Owatonna has more than 40 industries and 500 retail and professional businesses, making it popular among recent grads searching for jobs. After attending Winona State University in Winona, MN, Van Houdt moved to Owatonna in 2019 to start his career at CliftonLarsonAllen.

Oyloe returned to Owatonna in 2018-2019 after leaving for college and started his job at Wenger in 2020.

“Owatonna is a growing city, and many new and existing businesses are expanding and looking for young and driven candidates,” Oyloe says.

The region is home to a variety of businesses, but many fall under its key industries, such as manufacturing, health care and financial services.

CreditPhoto courtesy of: Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

6. Owatonna, MN, Provides Proximity to Other Cities

While Oyloe and Van Houdt say Owatonna offers all the amenities they desire, its proximity to larger cities is a major draw for young professionals. In approximately one hour, residents can drive to the Twin Cities, where they’ll find an international airport, museums, professional sports teams, James Beard-winning chefs and more.

Or for a weekend trip, Madison, WI, or Omaha, NE, are only about four hours away.

“Owatonna is a small town, but still has enough activities and events to keep yourself busy,” Oyloe says. “The overall community is very open, friendly and welcoming. It’s also great that we’re centrally located, so it’s easy to visit a large city if you want to.”

Click here to learn more about Owatonna.

This article was sponsored by the Owatonna Partners for Economic Development.