LIVING AND WORKING IN AUSTIN

The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce has programs and resources to help our newest residents settle into their new homes and build connections in the community.

For Newcomers: Community Concierge program

The Community Concierge program helps newcomers search for rental housing, employment for accompanying spouses or partners, childcare, school enrollment, and more.

To learn more, contact Kristen Olson at [email protected].

For Newcomers: Awesome Austin

At Awesome Austin events, get to know fellow newcomers and your new community. Events are nearly every month and open to residents who have lived in Austin two years or less. Even better, the service itself is free!

Learn more on the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce website. 

For Everyone: Connecting Young Professionals Group

This group connects young professionals in the Austin area to foster their growth and success. Participants can enjoy networking opportunities with fellow young professionals in the Austin business community, as well as professional development, social, and community engagement activities.

To learn more, visit the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce website or contact the Chamber at [email protected].

Finding your next place to live can be one of the most difficult aspects of accepting a new position. Luckily, The Hormel Institute and the Austin area have some resources available to help make the transition easier.

Science Park Apartments

Science Park Apartments is a three-story, 42-unit complex located just across the street from The Hormel Institute. Commutes don’t get much shorter than that! Hired employees can get more information about unit availability from our Human Resources Department.

Community Resources

You don’t have to navigate the Austin housing market on your own. The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community Concierge Program can serve as a helpful resource for newcomers looking for rental housing options in the area.

U of M Relocation Assistance

We want to help make your transition to Austin as seamless as possible. Depending on the terms of your employment offer, you may be eligible for moving and housing resources available through the University of Minnesota’s Relocation Assistance Program. More information is available via our Human Resources department.

Learning is lifelong. Luckily, Austin has plenty of educational and enrichment opportunities for all ages. 

Early childhood care and education

The Austin area has a number of childcare and early childhood education centers offering a range of experiences, from Montessori programming to language-learning activities. You can visit the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce website and navigate to the “Childcare Openings” tab to get a sense of available options in the area. 

Austin Public Schools

Austin Public Schools (APS) supports the intellectual, social, and physical development of over 5,200 students. 

The award-winning district aims to empower the whole student during the school day and beyond. APS capitalizes on community partnerships, including with The Hormel Institute, to give students expanded enrichment opportunities.

Students have dozens of artistic, technical, and athletic activities they can participate in, like:

• Football, soccer, hockey, softball, baseball, basketball, and more (over 25 sports in all)
• Music groups (vocal and instrumental)
• Drama
• Coding
• Robotics
• FFA
• Speech
• Art
• And much more!

Advanced courses are available as early as fifth grade, reading and math intervention resources are available for all ages, and high school students have the opportunity to take honors and AP courses, as well as PSEO and concurrent classes via Riverland Community College. A virtual school option, Austin Online Academy, is also available for grades 9-12.

Here at The Hormel Institute, we love partnering with APS to offer students up-close experiences learning about scientific research!

Riverland Community College

Looking to learn something new in your spare time? Is someone in your household looking to transition into a new career? Riverland Community College, which has campuses in Austin, Albert Lea, and Owatonna, serves as an excellent resource for Austin area residents. 

The college offers a range of Associate of Arts or Science degrees, and transfer pathway options can allow students to smoothly transition into bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota’s state universities. There are also 95 career and technical programs, some of which allow students to get into the workforce in just a year.

The Hormel Institute partners with Riverland Community College to offer internships for students.

Eating in Austin

Austin is home to nearly 60 restaurants that include locally-owned favorites, chain restaurants, dishes from around the globe, fast food, coffee shops, bakeries, bars and breweries, and classic Midwestern courses to satisfy your palate on any given day.

Fun

We comprise a fun crowd here. There’s something in Austin for everyone to enjoy. That includes annual Paint the Town Pink celebrations that take place in Austin and surrounding communities throughout the year to support Research at The Hormel Institute!

Here’s just a sampling of what else you can do and where you can go to spend your free time:

Local arts and entertainment

• Artworks Center, Artworks Festival, Paramount Theatre
• Community Education classes and opportunities for kids and adults
• Local orchestra, band, and choir groups

Sports and Recreation

• Dozens of public parks
• Austin Community Recreation Center
• Canoe/kayak on the Cedar River
• Ice skate at Skinners Hill
• Bike 45+ miles of city and area trails, including the Shooting Star State Trail
• Hike at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center 
• Fish at Mill Pond, Eastside Lake, or on the Cedar River

Find even more entertainment options on the Discover Austin website.

Family

Family-friendly communities are more than their school options alone. Once the school day’s over, the Austin area offers all sorts of ways for young people to learn, have fun, and stay active as they grow, like:

• Matchbox Children’s Theatre
• Austin Artworks Center
• Autism-Friendly Austin
• Austin Public Library
• MacPhail Center for Music
• Austin Municipal Swimming Pool
• And so much more!