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Dear neighbors,
Every Valentine’s Day, couples gather at the Hennepin County Government Center to say, “I do.” We are proud to offer this service free of charge on one of the most important days of residents' lives—their wedding day.
Since 2013, the County has teamed up with the Fourth Judicial District to offer free weddings on Valentine’s Day. More than 300 couples have tied the knot during the special wedding event. The ceremonies are held in the sun-filled atrium and on the scenic bridges of the Government Center, officiated by district court judges.
“It is such a joy and a privilege to get to perform these ceremonies,” said Judge Luis Bartolomei. “With so much strife in the court system, it feels great to clear the air and fill it with joy.”
Check out this video of the special day.
If you would like to join us next year with your loved one we would be so pleased to have you.
Sincerely,
Debbie Goettel
What's happening at Hennepin County, and across the district:
Make sure to follow me on Twitter! @HennepinDebbie
Hennepin County’s healthy tree canopy grants will open for applications on Tuesday, February 25. Grant projects can include tree plantings, ash tree removals, tree inventories, outreach and more. Nonprofit organizations, schools, cities, and affordable housing properties are eligible to apply.
The grants aim to combat threats to trees from invasive insects and disease, educate the public on tree care and the importance of trees, and increase the diversity and resiliency of the tree canopy. Review the grant flyer (PDF).
Application documents are available now so you can start preparing your application. Applications may be submitted beginning February 25 and are due by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. Registration on the Hennepin County Supplier Portal is required.
A Real ID or passport will be required for domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025. If you need to renew your license, take a few minutes to compare the standard license and Real ID and click here.
Elevate Hennepin has provided transformational impact for businesses of all sizes through no-cost consulting, a growing foundation of group learning, and a curated hub of vital resources enabling small businesses to start, grow and scale.
The past year was an exceptional one for Elevate Hennepin with new resources, thousands of hours of support for businesses from more than 30 consultants, and another successful year for the growing CEO Growth Series of group-learning opportunities.
Over the past several years, we have provided:
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Expert consultants, serving over 1,200 entrepreneurs in 2024: Since inception in 2020, Elevate Hennepin advisors have supported more than 3,600 businesses with 41,000 hours of consulting.
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Peer-to-peer connection to help businesses expand both locally and regionally: In 2024, 40 new businesses graduated from the new CEO Start group-learning opportunity and 30 businesses graduated from our CEO Now program. A further 24 connected and worked through our longstanding CEO Next cohort, expanding the economic impact in the county and beyond.
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Community-lead programming: Based on community need, Elevate Hennepin staff piloted 10 new offerings including HR Next, customized HR support to attract and retain employees; CEO Start, fundamental training to help idea-stage entrepreneurs launch and grow; and CEO Now, strategic frameworks for growth-oriented businesses.
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More capacity for job creation: Advisors and consultants provided guidance and support for businesses to add more than 600 jobs in Hennepin County through financing since inception, and 283 new jobs in 2024 alone.
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Equitable access to capital: Advisors helped Hennepin County businesses secure over $35.8 million in capital to expand, start, or grow their businesses. Last year alone, Elevate Hennepin business owners secured $16.3 million in business financing.
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A launchpad for new businesses: Advisors provided guidance for more than 220 business across the county to launch. In 2024, 51 Elevate Hennepin businesses said this support helped them launch their new venture.
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Hennepin County will be accepting proposals for contracts with community-based organizations for prevention, response, and treatment/recovery of opioid use disorder. The proposals should emphasize disparity reduction with a focus on the most impacted, including the African American and American Indian communities.
- Request for Proposals (RFP) application is anticipated to open in March 2025.
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Contracts will be for two years (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027).
There are three upcoming informational meetings to learn more about the RFP process. These meetings are open to all interested organizations and registration is not required.
Monday, March 3 Virtual and recorded
Wednesday, March 5 In-person, South Minneapolis
- Noon to 1:30 p.m., light refreshments provided
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Minneapolis American Indian Center: Grandparents Conference Room
1530 East Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, 55404
Friday, March 7 In-person, North Minneapolis
- Noon to 1:30 p.m., light refreshments provided
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NorthPoint: Conference Center Suite 5200,
1256 Penn Ave North, Minneapolis, 55411
Check out what’s happening across the county or zoom into your district to see what’s happening closer to you. To learn more about each project, just click on the line or dot on the map.
2024 Transportation Activities Webmap
2024-2028 Transportation Capital Projects Webmap
Other resources:
Metropolitan Council weekly construction update
MnDOT- Metro Area State highway and bridge projects
Join a fun-filled night of board games at the community center! This will be a great way to connect with other community members looking for a fun night of board games!
Ages 10 and up; youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Free.
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Date: March 1, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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Location: Richfield Community Center
More info here.
The Bloomington Farmers Market moves indoors with four dates from November through March. Stock up on winter produce like squash and apples, seasonal decor, honey, baked goods, canned goods, locally-made crafts, and other farmers market favorites at Bloomington Civic Plaza, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on the following dates:
Date: March 8, 2025
Location: Bloomington Civic Plaza
1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN 55431
Art Center atrium (main lobby)
Free Parking.
Credit Card and SNAP-EBT tokens available with no fee.
Visit blm.mn/market for more information about Bloomington's Farmers Markets.
Visit and explore the Art Center during this free event for the whole family!
Learn about upcoming classes and programs, enjoy teacher demonstrations and hands-on projects, play some yard games and enter to win handmade giveaways.
Date: March 1, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Art Center
7650 Equitable Drive
Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344
More info here.
Nestled in the Southside of Minneapolis, there is a community of 22,000 residents. Unlike the bustling neighborhood around it, this one is quiet, because everyone there is deceased. This twenty-two-acre necropolis, the oldest existing cemetery in Minneapolis, is known as Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery. However, the name is a misnomer because most people buried there were neither. Instead, the burial ground was mainly used for the average citizen of Minneapolis.
With the passage of time, many of the people buried there no longer exist in the memories of their descendants. The more notable or infamous residents live on in history books and legends, but what about ordinary folks, or people from marginalized communities? In Memoriam shines a light on these individuals and asks what a cemetery can tell us about ourselves and our shared history with the deceased.
Co-Curated with historian Susan Hunter Weir, and featuring cemetery artwork by photographer Timothy McCall, this exhibit includes artifacts from our collection related to death, mourning, and memory, alongside portraits of the residents of Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery.
October, 2024 through 2025
Photo by Timothy McCall.
Learn more here.
Check out events happening at a Hennepin County library near you. Filter for specific geographic areas, age groups, and different types of events to find something unique to you and your family!
Learn more at Hennepin County Library events.
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Whether it's a housing crisis, energy assistance question, or child protection concern, we are here to help you navigate these and other issues.
Please call our office at 612-348-7885 or contact us to seek assistance or ask a question.
Contact
Commissioner Debbie Goettel
Hennepin County District 5
Bloomington | Eden Prairie | Richfield | SW Minneapolis
612-348-7885
Graham Faulkner
Policy Director
612-596-7078
Kate Nelson
District Director
612-348-7885
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