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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we shake off winter and move into springtime planning, this newsletter announces a new virtual townhall my office is hosting, and also features a number of reminders of programs and grant applications.
On April 23, join my office for a virtual townhall on youth supports and the juvenile justice system in Hennepin County. My office is working to communicate with you in new ways. Save the date and stay tuned for details on how to join us.
Beginning on May 7, domestic air travel will require a Real ID or passport. If you plan to take any flights this summer and do not have a Real ID or passport, plan to make an appointment at a Hennepin County Service Center.
Also in the newsletter:
- Opportunity to ask questions and/or provide feedback on cannabis retail sales in Hennepin County cities
- Information about enrolling in MinnesotaCare
- Directions for Environmental Response Fund grants and Green Partners programs applications, and
- Details about Elevate Hennepin's expanded small business advisors
My best,
Stay tuned for details on how to join us.
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.
If you have a valid passport
You don't need a REAL ID to board a domestic flight or access federal facilities now or after May 7, 2025.
You don't need a REAL ID if you have a valid passport. A REAL ID is an alternative to a valid passport.
If you don't have a valid passport
If you don't have a valid passport and need to board a domestic flight or access federal facilities after May 7, 2025, you need a REAL ID.
Make an appointment at a Hennepin County Service Center
Join us for a listening session
Help shape the future of Minnetonka Boulevard
Hennepin County and the City of St. Louis Park plan to rebuild Minnetonka Boulevard (County Road 5) between Vernon and Xylon avenues.
You are invited to an upcoming listening session to learn about the project and share your vision for the boulevard’s future.
- Tuesday, April 8
- 6 – 7:30 p.m.
- Presentation begins at 6:15 p.m.
- Lenox Community Center, lower-level cafeteria
- 6715 Minnetonka Boulevard, St. Louis Park 55426
Stay involved
If you can’t attend, you can also visit our BeHeard Hennepin engagement website to learn more about the project, sign up to receive email updates, and share your vision for Minnetonka Boulevard.
Questions?
Contact jason.staebell@hennepin.us or call 612-596-0371 if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
More Minnesotans now have access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance through the MinnesotaCare program. A new law allows low-income residents to qualify regardless of immigration status.
MinnesotaCare covers a broad range of health care services, like preventive, routine, specialty and emergency care. Most services will cost you nothing out of pocket.
You are eligible for MinnesotaCare if you:
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Lack other health insurance options. If your job offers you health insurance, you may still qualify if the insurance from your job is too expensive for you.
An example of the income limits is $30,120 a year for single person or $62,400 for a family of four. You can apply for MinnesotaCare anytime. There’s no deadline. But the sooner you apply, the sooner your insurance can begin. The earliest your insurance can begin if you are an undocumented person is Jan. 1, 2025.
How to enroll in MinnesotaCare
Insurance is complicated so we encourage people to get one-on-one help applying from a trusted community partner. MNsure-certified navigators can walk you through the entire process. They can also answer your questions. You can find a navigator who speaks your language at mnsure.org.free-help.
Applications are due by May 1, 2025
Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grants are available for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites, or brownfields. Grants are available to cities, local public entities including economic development agencies and housing and redevelopment authorities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses.
Applications for the next grant round are being accepted until May 1. Prior to applying, contact brownfields@hennepin.us to discuss your project and funding needs. More information: hennepin.us/brownfields.
ERF grants awarded in February 2025
In February 2025, Hennepin County awarded seven grants totaling $2,165,055. The grants will fund asbestos and lead-based paint abatement, vapor mitigation, and contaminated soil assessment and cleanup. More info about the ERF grants awarded: hennepin.us/brownfields
Green Partners Program Applications Open Now
Hennepin County provides funding to organizations to actively educate, engage and motivate residents to become environmental stewards and make positive behavior changes. Eligible organizations include schools and school districts, early childhood family education programs, nonprofit organizations, community groups, congregations, and park districts.
About the three Green Partners programs
We have updated the criteria for all three Green Partners programs for 2025. Applicants should review the information available on the Green Partners website to ensure they apply for the program type that best fits their project.
Environmental Action program
Open for applications. Due by 3 p.m. on April 3. These projects focus on motivating adults to make environmental changes at home and on-the-go.
Youth Environmental Education program
Open for applications. Due by 3 p.m. on April 17. Youth Environmental Education projects engage youth in elementary and middle school in environmental education and outdoor nature experiences.
Youth Environmental Leadership program
Opening for applications on April 2. Due by 3 p.m. on May 1. Youth Environmental Leadership projects encourage environmental leadership and/or exposure to green jobs for young people in high school up to age 24.
Under Minnesota statute, adult-use cannabis retail sales are set to begin this year. The county is looking for your feedback on its proposed ordinance that will apply in select cities in Hennepin County.
This ordinance would apply to communities that have deferred their authority for registration and compliance to the county. Currently, this includes Greenwood, Loretto, Medicine Lake, Shorewood and Spring Park; other communities may also defer their authority.
Here are your opportunities to ask questions and make your voice:
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Voicemail (toll-free): 855-946-3351
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U.S. Mail: Public Health—Cannabis 525 Portland Ave. South, Third Floor Minneapolis, MN 55415
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In person: 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 8 Hennepin County Government Center Board Room (A-2400) 300 Sixth Street South, Minneapolis, MN 55487
Elevate Hennepin is proud to introduce 12 new expert advisors and consultants that bring even deeper business support to the advisor network. These professionals bring a wealth of knowledge in business strategy, marketing, financial management, technology, legal services, and more.
Hennepin County businesses can access up to 25 hours of consulting with each of these new advisors all at no cost.
Meet the new advisors.
Learn more about Elevate Hennepin.
LumberStash finds the right tool in Elevate Hennepin
A pry bar and a seat with wheels is all Jeremy Marshik needs for a lot of his day-to-day work at LumberStash, a sustainable salvage company based in South Minneapolis. But he looked to Elevate Hennepin consulting for guidance on finding the right digital tools to help his business grow.
Contact us
Marion Greene
Commissioner, 3rd District
612-348-7883
Elie Farhat
Principal Aide
612-348-7125
Laura Hoffman
District Aide
612-348-0863
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