Strategic partnership gives us an edge here
At Hennepin County, we pride ourselves on our ability to bring people together to build a more prosperous future for all our 1.2 million residents. Our valued partners in the private and public sectors trust us to be strong and nimble in our collaborative work to:
Enhance biking and walking amenities
Develop and preserve affordable housing
Support small business growth
Build a safe and efficient multi-modal transportation network
Clean up contaminated land for development
Plan for sustainable and effective land use
Working in concert to broaden our impact
Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership
Visit Greater MSP
Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers
Visit MCCD
Metropolitan Council
Visit Met Council
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Visit MNDEEDHennepin County cities
You'll find every rhythm of life in Hennepin County, from big city buzz to rural expanse. Each of our 45 cities is rich in character, culture and amenities, and all are balanced with the beauty of Minnesota's natural lands and waters.
Our team
For general questions about economic development in Hennepin County, please contact economic.development@hennepin.us.
Patricia Fitzgerald
Director, Community and Economic Development
612-532-4588
Patricia.Fitzgerald@Hennepin.us
Simran Aryal
Contract management
612-348-4926
Simran.Aryal@Hennepin.us
Denise Engen
Active Living
612-348-4454
Denise.Engen@Hennepin.us
Laura Fredrick
Elevate Hennepin Nonprofits / Elevate Hennepin Construction
612-543-1966
Laura.Fredrick.Wang@Hennepin.us
Andrew Gillett
Bottineau / Southwest Community Works
612-348-4949
Andrew.Gillett@Hennepin.us
Nate Hood
Hennepin Planning Grants
Penn Avenue Community Works
612-596-9876
Nathaniel.Hood@Hennepin.us
Ryan Kelley
Transit Oriented Development
Affordable Commercial Incentive Fund
Business District Initiative
612-348-4191
Ryan.Kelley@Hennepin.us
Robb Luckow
Program analysis
612-348-9344
Robert.Luckow@Hennepin.us
Lily Shaw
Elevate Hennepin
612-348-9812
Lily.Shaw@hennepin.us
Kerri Pearce Ruch
Bottineau / Southwest Community Works
612-348-3080
Kerri.Pearceruch@Hennepin.us
Brandon Bell
CEO Start / Elevate Hennepin Talent
612-596-0319
Brandon.Bell@Hennepin.us
Zack Avre
CEO Now / Tech Essentials
TOD Predevelopment
612-596-0383
Zack.Avre@Hennepin.us
Nikil Manayathara
Elevate Hennepin Support
612-348-6445
Nikil.Manayathara@Hennepin.us
Ixchel McKinnie
CEO Next / Elevate Hennepin Business Navigation
612-348-6386
Ixchel.McKinnie@Hennepin.us
Nick Upton
Communications Specialist
612-596-7645
Nick.Upton@Hennepin.us
