Investing for vitality

Success stories

Swank Eatery awarded $500,000 for development along the Blue Line Extension

Affordable retail space, plenty of food, and a place for the community to gather. That is the vision of Swank Eatery.

flowers and vines at the Four Sisters Farm

Harvesting community partnership at Four Sisters Farm

The story behind Four Sisters Farm is one of many partners coming together.

Certification, new network propel Diversity Institute forward

Certified Access Academy helps one business leader take on the complexities of certification.

Elevate Hennepin helps Balloon Fancy ‘blow up’

Elevate Hennepin advisors help Balloon Fancy founder systematize her business.

Mx. founder taps Elevate for ‘everything’ to start their business

When launching their business, LJ Bauermeister did a lot of learning on the fly, then found Elevate Hennepin and a team of trusted, professional advisors.

Coliseum project highlights power of equitable development

County funding helps bring new life to historic Lake Street building

Business Advisory Council

Supporting businesses through COVID-19

Community Asset Transition (CAT) Fund

Supporting community ownership and affordability of property following civil unrest

Elevate advisor spotlight: Davis Law Office

Meet one of Hennepin County's free business advisors

Events and resources for small businesses

Find the resources your business needs

Growing into the future

We're preparing for the future in our 2040 comprehensive plan

Hungry for more

CEO Next satisfies appetite for business growth for K-Mama Sauce

Innovation on tap

Early support of Surly Brewing helped create the ultimate Twin Cities Brewery

A life line for entrepreneurs

Open to business program opens doors for Pimento Jamaican Kitchen

Love Local

Supporting business districts through COVID-19

Moving forward

Partnering to maximize community and economic benefits of Bus Rapid Transit

Path to the Midtown Greenway

Revival of a community asset

Remodeling a home improvement business

CEO Next Business Institute helps build AMEK construction

Small Business Relief Fund impacts

Outcomes and data on direct emergency financial relief to businesses impacted by COVID-19

Bringing built and natural environments into harmony

Artistic rendering of equity matters project

Equity Matters project takes root with predevelopment assistance

Emerging developer transforms vacant lot down the street

Driving development near transit

To date, we've invested $39 million in 136 projects contributing to:

2.1 million +

square feet of new or retained commercial and office space

More than $1 billion

in leveraged funding

10,000

new or retained housing units

2,800

new or retained jobs

Transit Oriented Development program

Affordable housing

We support a full range of affordable housing options throughout Hennepin County. Since 2010, we've invested $59 million through our HOME and AHIF programs, creating or preserving 6,344 units of affordable housing.

HOME Investment Partnerships

Affordable Housing Incentive Fund

Environmental cleanup

We've awarded 370 Environmental Response Fund Grants totaling more than $51 million, leveraging $1.7 billion in private investment.

Environmental Response Fund

Corridor planning

We've invested $1.1 million in projects to support land use planning and redevelopment efforts in commercial corridors and downtowns throughout the county.

Corridor Planning program

Supporting small businesses

Small businesses are the foundation of our resilient economy. They create two out of every three jobs and reflect our growing diversity. Through the Open to Business program, small businesses of all types can access the resources and expertise they need to grow.

2,465

small businesses served

$70 million

in direct and facilitated financing

14,686

hours of technical service

Mapping growth and investment

The Community Development Investments and Property Trends Tool is an interactive mapping application that shows Hennepin County Community and Economic Development program investments and changes in property values over time.

Learn about the tool methodology (DOCX)

Investing in communities

Since 2005, Hennepin County has invested more than $172 million in hundreds of planning and development projects. 75% of these projects have been in low- and moderate-income communities where the average household earns less than 80% of the area median income.

Tracking development near light rail

Compared to Hennepin County as a whole, properties in light rail corridors see more property improvements, higher growth in estimated market value, and greater increase in property taxes paid.

Learn more about development and property trends in light rail corridors (DOCX).