Certified Access Academy is a virtual cohort created to support women of color business owners. The program provides eight weeks of strategic consulting designed to advance certification and increase opportunities to do business with government and corporate entities. Hennepin County is providing this training in partnership with The Activate Network and Fearless Commerce.
Learn more about Certified Access Academy at two upcoming info sessions:
Tuesday, September 27 at 2 p.m.
Register here
Thursday, September 29 at 12 p.m.
Register here
The Certified Access Academy will kick off in October.
If you or anyone you know would benefit from the cohort, please contact economic.development@hennepin.us.
Hennepin County residents participated in a challenge to help reduce their plastic use in February 2021 and 2022. Environment and Energy estimates the challenge kept 3,000 pounds of waste out of landfills and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 6,000 pounds. Those efforts earned Environment and Energy recognition from the National Association of Counties earlier this summer.
Approximately 1,700 residents participated in the challenge, with a total of 11,600 actions taken. The first round of the challenge had around 600 participants; the second had over 1,000.
 Commissioner LaTondresse pictured with Amy Maas, Zero Waste Challenge coordinator.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness and reduce stigma around this important issue. Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available:
-
Staff speak multiple languages, and language line interpreters are available when needed.
By Rachel Raiche, KSTP
Hennepin County has purchased another motel with plans to turn it into affordable housing.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March of 2020, the county has been trying to use motels for homeless shelters and low-barrier housing.
But now they’re working on turning those properties into permanent housing for people struggling to find a place they can afford.
“This type of housing, in particular, is going to make an impact,” said Julia Welle Ayres, Housing Development and Finance director for Hennepin County.
Welle Ayres has been leading the county’s program aimed at establishing more low-income housing.
Access the full story here.
By David Chanen, Star Tribune
To help build its new facility, the task force received nearly $1 million from a $10 million grant funding effort that Hennepin County recently approved for 18 mostly minority-focused organizations and nonprofits. The goal is to promote affordable commercial space and provide a place for entrepreneurs to develop restaurants, event and training centers, offices and other assets for communities who often face barriers to economic growth.
In all, the county-backed projects will create more than 400,000 square feet of commercial and nonprofit space, support more than 550 local business owners and employ more than 1,000 people. The total cost of the projects is more than $270 million, including city and state funding beyond the county grants.
Access the full story here.
The November 8 General Election is not far away. Below are key dates and helpful resources to help you prepare for election day.
2022 Election Timeline:
September 23: Absentee Voting Begins
October 18: Pre-registration deadline
November 8: Election Day!
- Polls are open 7:00am-8:00pm.
- Find your polling place
- Remember, polling places may have changed since the last general election due to redistricting
Voting Resources
In celebration of Latino Heritage Month, Hennepin is hosting a healing circle on Saturday, October 1, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Centro Tyrone Guzman (1915 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis).
This will be an in-person event for ages 18 and up. This event is offered only in Spanish.
Register here: bit.ly/3DrIkHM
Hosted by Hennepin County Engagement Services, this event is focused on connecting Latino families and communities to their roots through music, spirituality, and traditional ceremonies. It is a space of self-healing accompanied by cultural arts and dance. Healers Nancy Rocha and Susana De León will guide participants in connecting with the four elements of life: water, fire, air, and earth.
For more information, visit Hennepin County Community Engagement
For ASL interpretation, please contact EngagementServices@hennepin.us
Other events celebrating Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in Hennepin County include:
-
September 24: Latino Economic Development Center’s Taco Tour on Lake Street
-
October 6: Lowry Avenue Bridge will be lit red, yellow, and blue.
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent Deephaven, north Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, northern Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.
|
Chris LaTondresse
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886
Jessica Oaxaca
District Director
612-348-6885
Kyle Olson
Policy Director
612-348-3168
|
