
This National Small Business week, Hennepin County celebrated innovators and entrepreneurs that bring vibrancy, creativity, and life to our region. We are continuing to invest in your efforts to stabilize, grow, or pivot your business.
It is our goal to make it easier than ever before to start and grow a business in Hennepin County. Business owners and entrepreneurs now have free access to expanded offerings from Elevate Business, a one-stop hub bringing expert advising and regional resources together in one place.
Hennepin County welcomes 23 new and returning business advisors to Elevate Business that will be supporting this work for the next year. Our advising team can help you address core areas of your business growth- wherever you’re at.
Whether you are looking to get your business off the ground, need an attorney to review your contracts, or a marketing expert to help you develop a promotion strategy, there is no better time to connect with an Elevate Business advisor.
Since January 2021, more than 900 businesses have accessed consulting through Elevate Business, and more than 1,300 business owners have registered in the online platform.
Join hundreds of business owners who are investing in their business today through Elevate Business.
Learn more about our expert advisors
Elevate Business advisors are committed to serving business owners throughout Hennepin County. Check out their services, approach, and community focus.
Visit Elevate Business to connect with an advisor and join the hundreds of business owners that are creating a legacy for themselves and their families.
Got a great idea? Not sure where to start? Already own a small business?
We want to help YOU! Elevate Business HC is a new strategy to help drive economic development and support the vitality of small businesses. It’s one of the ways we are redefining government. We welcome your feedback and your ideas. What do you need to grow your business? Let us know by emailing us at economic.development@hennepin.us.
Hennepin County is now accepting expression of interest forms for predevelopment assistance, which is offered as part of the 2022 Transit Oriented Development program, pending approval of the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA). Emerging local developers pursuing transit-oriented development in Hennepin County and facing challenges accessing capital for predevelopment activities are encouraged to submit a form.
Amount available
A total value of up to $200,000 in predevelopment assistance is expected to be available.
Eligible developers can request:
- Up to $30,000 in value for projects with site control
- Up to $10,000 in value for projects without site control
Timeline
The expression of interest form must be submitted by Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 3 p.m. Predevelopment awards will be made to eligible entities on a first come, first served basis. Awards are anticipated in August 2022.
Learn more and complete the form

Hennepin County Library is seeking applicants for a new youth advisory committee, open to high school students (16-19 yrs old).
Two applicants will be appointed by each of Hennepin County’s seven commissioners.
Learn more or apply by Friday, May 27, here.

I joined the Wayzata City Council meeting this week to provide an update on the work Hennepin is doing for residents. We discussed how critical our local partnership is.
I’m incredibly thankful for Mayor Mouton and the city council’s leadership in ensuring the well-being of our community.
📺 Access the full meeting here.

By David Chanen, Star Tribune
"Because of the even growth, there were only tiny changes around the edges of the districts," said Mark Chapin, the county's director of residential and real estate services.
Since the 2010 census, Hennepin County's population grew from 1.15 million to 1.28 million.
Access the full story here.
Share your voice and help shape policy
The Hennepin County Board is recruiting volunteers for two vacancies on the Riley Purgatory Bluff-Creek Watershed District Board. A member may not be a public officer of the county, state, or federal government and must be a resident of the district. Portions of Bloomington, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Shorewood lie within the district. Members serve three-year terms.
Applications are scheduled to open today and close on May 31, 2022 with interview statements expected to be played during a County Administration, Libraries, and Budget Committee meeting in June.
Application process
- Now through May 31 – apply at hennepin.us/advisoryboards.
- The Hennepin County Board will hear interview statements in June and make appointments at a subsequent board meeting.
Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.
Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at hennepin.us/stories.
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.
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Chris LaTondresse Commissioner 6th District 612-348-7886
Jessica Oaxaca District Director 612-348-6885
Kyle Olson Policy Director 612-348-3168
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