Success stories
Investing for thriving communities
Hennepin County invests in our communities in a variety of ways to support our growing population, advance equitable prosperity, and support climate resiliency. We invest in land use planning, business district enhancements, development projects, and we partner with our cities to create vibrant places.
Driving development near transit
By incentivizing development around transit, we’re building a more prosperous and resilient future with less reliance on cars, reduced green house emissions, and greater access between housing, jobs, and amenities.
To date, we've invested $51 million in 176 projects contributing to:

2.1 million +
square feet of new or retained commercial and office space

More than $2 billion
in leveraged funding

18,000
new or retained housing units

3,500
new or retained jobs
Supporting small businesses
Small businesses are the backbone of our resilient economy. They create a significant number of jobs and reflect our growing diversity. Through Hennepin County’s unique brand of business support, Elevate Hennepin, small businesses of all types can access the resources and expertise they need to grow.

3,262
small businesses served

$36 million
in facilitated financing

41,712
hours of one-on-one advising support and consulting
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.
