New $41.2 Million Law Enforcement and Government Center Opens in Minnesota

 Jackson County, Minn.’s new $41.2 million Law Enforcement Center and Government Center includes a 24-bed jail, which will replace the county’s aging 18-bed jail in downtown Jackson. | Photo Credit: Jackson County

• Jackson County, Minn., unveiled a new combined jail, law enforcement and government facility on Oct. 6. 
• The 24-bed jail replaces an 18-bed facility. Jail and law enforcement operations were scheduled for later in October; the government center is already serving residents. 
• The project was designed by Wold Architects and Engineers, with Contegrity Group serving as the construction manager. 
• Bond repayment for the $41.2 million project combines sales, wind energy production and property taxes, while county reserves funded the government center.

JACKSON, Minn. — A 24-bed jail will replace Jackson County, Minn.’s aging detention facility following an Oct. 6 opening of a new law enforcement and government facility beside the county courthouse. 

At the unveiling, the government center was already serving residents; jail and law enforcement operations were scheduled for later in October. The combined $41.2 million project broke ground in 2024.

The jail replacement increases capacity from 18 to 24 beds. The county identified undersized cells, inadequate accessibility and a lack of separate medical and recreation rooms among deficiencies at its current jail, which was built in 1976 has been out of compliance with state requirements since 2005. The county also cited aging heating and cooling equipment, plumbing and sewer systems needing replacement, and difficulty finding parts for cell locks and doors. 

The county ruled out expansion because the downtown Jackson site lacked space, and the existing building was not designed for another floor. 

The new facility includes accessible cells, medical office and storage space, a recreation room, a program and library room, and a combined dispatch and housing-control station. Staff training and interview rooms are also included. The center will support county and municipal law enforcement agencies and house countywide 911 dispatch. 

“These aren’t simply new offices — they are investments in public service, public safety and the future of Jackson County,” said County Administrator Ryan Krosch, according to an article from The Daily Globe. 

Wold Architects & Engineers provided design services, with Contegrity Group handling construction management. 

General obligation bonds financed the jail and law enforcement center. Annual debt payments are funded 54% by a voter-approved 1% countywide sales tax, 25% by wind energy production taxes and 21% by property taxes, The Daily Globe reported. County cash reserves paid for the government center, including revenue from wind turbine production taxes. 

The government center groups assessor, auditor/treasurer and recorder functions within the Property and Public Services division. Residents can also access veterans services, driver’s licensing and passports. 

The 1909 courthouse will retain court operations, court administration, the county attorney’s office, probation and facilities maintenance functions. Remaining space will accommodate conference rooms and storage. 

This article is based on reporting by Chloe Farnsworth originally published by The Daily Globe on Oct. 7, 2026, supplemented by Jackson County project documents.