Forest Lake is Working Toward a Path of Sustainable Development and Growth
April 30, 2025
The City of Forest Lake is in the northeast corner of Washington County, strategically built around I-35. While other parts of East Metro MSP have become built up in recent years, Forest Lake has remained a hidden gem. Now, the mayor, city administration, and economic development leaders are working toward a unified vision to bring living-wage jobs and quality-of-life investments to the region.
“Forest Lake has taken on a much more pro-development climate in recent years,” says Abbi Wittman, Community Development Director for the City of Forest Lake. “But we aren’t just thinking about today or next year. We’re thinking about the next generation of Forest Lake residents.”
Discover Forest Lake and learn why now is a great time to expand into the area. Read why this part of Washington County is poised for growth.
Forest Lake is Developing With Natural Resources in Mind
The Forest Lake region lives up to its name — filled with abundant natural resources, which means it is still very rural compared to other parts of East Metro MSP. A third of the city's 30,000 square miles is agrarian, bordering the expanding urban environment. City officials are working to increase development while still protecting Forest Lake’s beautiful amenities.
“Our community wants to grow, but knows it needs to be done in a sustainable way,” says Wittman.
She uses the Headwaters 123 property as an example — a 123-acre parcel of land owned by the city. Wittman, the EDA, and city officials recently met to lay the framework for a future master plan for developing that acreage. The goal is to preserve the wetlands and natural elements while also preparing the land for investment.
“Forest Lake strikes a balance between easy access to the Twin Cities and the beautiful ecosystems that Minnesota is known for,” says Chris Eng, Economic Development Director for the Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA). “This is already a great place to live, but there’s also room for business growth.”
Additionally, the City is planning for redevelopment projects to improve its existing resources and create more opportunities for residents to enjoy the downtown area.
The City Wants Living-Wage Jobs and a Diverse Economy
Along with being strategic about land development, the City of Forest Lake is identifying the types of businesses and investments that would be good for the region. The goal is to recruit companies that could grow local industries and create valuable jobs for existing residents.
“We are looking to attract manufacturing firms, companies that need office space, and businesses that want to hire highly-skilled and educated workers,” says Wittman. “A high contingency of residents leave Forest Lake during the day to work. We’d like to keep more of them here.”
Forest Lake is a desirable place for people who want to live outside of Minneapolis-St. Paul and commute to work. Downtown Minneapolis is 30 minutes away, and St. Paul is 25 minutes away. However, with additional business investment, residents could work in their communities at have more time for recreation.
City Leaders Are Unified in Working Toward Forest Lake’s Future
Wittman is optimistic about Forest Lake's direction and plans for sustainable growth. She says elected officials have set the tone for the future of Forest Lake and are appointing people who have similar visions for the region. This is particularly important when reviewing and updating processes for working with investors. The city is systematically reviewing its best practices and rules, modernizing them for a business-friendly approach.
“Our message to the development community is that we are on the same team,” says Wittman. “We want the same thing, and we are here to make it work.”
She is confident in Forest Lake's ability to attract outside investment and develop the region strategically so that both businesses and residents benefit.
“We are really excited and open for development,” says Whittman. “We are eager to draw in outside investment and interest in our community.”
Grow With Forest Lake and Washington County
East Metro MSP is known for its high quality of life, with good schools, community resources, and access to parks, trails, and lakes. However, there are still opportunities for employers to move to the region and expand their organizations here. Learn more about the demographics of Forest Lake and other communities in Washington County. Find the perfect home for your organization and workforce in East Metro MSP.
