Investing for vitality

Success stories

The Community Corner Project planned for Brooklyn Center.

Hennepin County awards $2M for six transit-oriented community projects

The county has awarded $2 million in Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) program funding to six development projects.

Building tomorrow

A spotlight on the county’s commitment to inclusive, sustainable development

From vision to reality

How Hennepin County planning efforts help communities build places for people

An illustration of the Latino Center for Community Engagement

Building on our legacy of innovation

Reflecting on 2024 impacts.

Hennepin County Board Chair Irene Fernando at the groundbreaking of the IPTF wellness center.

A catalyst for community

Exploring Hennepin County’s support for affordable commercial space and community institutions.

Hennepin County initiatives support revitalization of Historic Coliseum Building

Several Hennepin County initiatives support the top-to-bottom reimagining of the historic Coliseum Building.

Viva rendering for Transit Oriented Community awards 2024

Hennepin County awards $3.49 million to seven transit-oriented developments

Hennepin County announces seven awards for Transit Oriented Communities funding.

Teto Wilson, the developer behind Swank Eatery

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.

A map of Active Living projects across Hennepin County.

Active Living: A creative approach to more active communities

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.

Love Local

Supporting business districts through COVID-19

Path to the Midtown Greenway

Revival of a community asset

Artistic rendering of proposed development at 325 Blake Road in Hopkins

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

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

Transit Oriented Development program

Vibrant places don’t just happen. Walkable and resilient neighborhoods, with a variety of housing options and neighborhood essentials, provide climate and economic resilience. Whether developing vacant land, or redeveloping areas of transitioning land use and form, creating a plan to guide future development over time is critical to have that vision become a reality.

Planning Grants
We've invested $1.7 million in projects to support land use planning and redevelopment efforts in commercial corridors and downtowns throughout the county.
Hennepin Planning Grants program

Business District Initiative
We've invested $640,000 in projects to help suburban cities turn their unique business districts into vibrant destinations.
Business District Initiative

Active Living
We've invested $425,000 in projects to help cities improve the walkability and bikeability of their business districts and community nodes.
Active Living Initiative

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

250

cohort graduates

$36 million

in facilitated financing

41,712

hours of one-on-one advising support

Business navigation
Our business navigators have assisted over 1,500 business owners with immediate support, to help them navigate resources and choose the best next step for their business.
Business Navigation

One-on-one, no-cost consulting
We've supported more than 3,000 entrepreneurs advance their business goals with up to 25 hours of no-cost support in business strategy, legal, marketing, accounting, financial management consulting, as well as other expertise provided by our Elevate Hennepin advisor network.
Advisor Network

Cohort programming for entrepreneurs and CEOs
More than 250 entrepreneurs and business owners have participated in one of our cohort-based programs – which provide in-depth support in multiple aspects of business operations from startup to second stage.
Cohort Programs

Elevate Hennepin resource directory
More than 140 curated local, regional, and state resources that business owners can self-search based off the support they need and the stage they are at.
Resource Directory

Mapping growth and investment

Hennepin County’s Housing and Community Investment map is an interactive mapping application that shows Hennepin County Housing and Economic Development investments over the past 20+ years. The map includes a slider that overlays these projects on:

Property value changes and property improvements since 2005
The Center for Disease Control’s Social Vulnerability Index, which identifies areas more vulnerable to health and environmental stressors.

Learn about the tool methodology

Since 2005, Hennepin County has invested more than $200 million in hundreds of planning and development projects across our 45 communities – with the vast majority in low- and moderate-income communities.

Our aim is for residents in every community to have the highest quality of life attainable, with all people having access to the resources they need to thrive and withstand challenges. Increasing access to opportunity and investment for communities where we can have the greatest impact will contribute to developing a growing economy and vibrant, connected communities that will continue to increase access to resources and reduce vulnerability for all members of the community.