Hennepin County, Minnesota Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2012 Update October 9, 2012

Transcription

1 Hennepin County, Minnesota Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2012 Update October 9, 2012 Hennepin County Workforce Investment Board 701 Fourth Avenue South, Suite 400 Minneapolis, Minnesota

2

3 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... 1 I. ORGANIZATION OF HENNEPIN COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (CEDS) COMMITTEE... 3 A. WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD MEMBERSHIP AS OF 1/1/ B. HENNEPIN COUNTY ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT STAFFING 4 C. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HISTORY 4 II. ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL ECONOMY, PARTNERS, AND RESOURCES 4 A. EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT... 4 B. TARGET AREA CONDITIONS... 6 C. HENNEPIN COUNTY ECONOMY III. CEDS VISION STATEMENT, GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND PRIORITIES 12 A. VISION STATEMENT B. GOALS C. POLICIES, ISSUES OR PROJECTS TO COME BEFORE THE CEDS COMMITTEE D BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WORKPLAN IV. COMMUNITY AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION V. STRATEGIC PROJECTS, PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES A. COORDINATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION B. COORDINATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS C. COORDINATE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH D. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH E. HENNEPIN COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY PROJECTS F. PLANNING VI. PERFORMANCE MEASURES A. ACCOMPLISHMENTS LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1: COMPARISON OF HENNEPIN COUNTY AND NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATES 5 FIGURE 2: HENNEPIN ECONOMIC TARGET AREAS 7 FIGURE 3: YOUTH TRAINING CLIENTS 18 FIGURE 4: EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICE CENTERS 19 FIGURE 5: 2011 ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE FUND AND TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT GRANT LOCATIONS 21 FIGURE 6: HENNEPIN COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY PROJECTS LIST OF TABLES TABLE 1: HENNEPIN COUNTY LABOR FORCE DATA 5 TABLE 2: DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC DATA FOR TARGET AREAS 9 TABLE 3: HENNEPIN COUNTY DISTINGUISHING INDUSTRIES AND RECENT TRENDS 11 APPENDICES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION 2005 APPROVAL LETTER HENNEPIN COUNTY RESOLUTION ASSIGNMENT OF OVERSIGHT OF CEDS TO WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD HENNEPIN CARVER WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD MEETING MINUTES - OCTOBER 9, 2012

4

5 Executive Summary This Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) update is designed to guide the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Investment Board s (WIB) economic development efforts, help create jobs, and foster more stable and diversified economies. The WIB, through its Business and Economic Development Committee (BED), produces the CEDS. The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) requires a CEDS to qualify for assistance under public works, economic adjustment, and planning programs. The Mission of the Business and Economic Development Committee is to foster and advise on longterm economic development and the generation of highly-skilled, high-paying jobs within emerging industries in the Hennepin-Carver county areas. This 2012 CEDS, an update to the original CEDS approved in 2005, reflects recent economic conditions and administrative changes in Hennepin County Housing, Community Works and Transit that impact WIB staffing. The following areas (as defined by Census tracts) have been identified as our Target Areas based on the following New Markets Tax Credit Program criteria. Based on an analysis of Census American Community Survey data, the following areas have either: 20 percent or more of their population living in poverty or A median household income under 80 percent of the region s average ($49,062) Target Areas lie within portions of the following municipalities: Bloomington Minneapolis East Brooklyn Center Minneapolis North Brooklyn Park Minneapolis South Crosstown Minneapolis Southwest Edina - Richfield New Hope Robbinsdale Hopkins - St Louis Park Osseo Minneapolis - Central St Anthony Methods The BED Committee directed staff to implement action plans that: Coordinate employment and training and economic development staffing and services within Hennepin County Housing Community Works and Transit; Coordinate State of Minnesota Business Services Specialists business contacts with local economic development and employment and training activities; Develop and operate programs such as Economic Gardening and Open To Business that serve the job training and business growth needs of business start ups, and technology and high growth businesses; Provide business finance through Common Bond Fund Industrial Development Bonding, the Minnesota Community Capital Fund, and the Economic Development Administration Veterans Revolving Loan Fund; and 1

6 Support workforce and economic development through the Hennepin Community Works Program, and the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Hennepin County recognizes that the coordination of workforce, economic development, environmental protection, and transit planning coordination must continue through: The Hennepin County Environmental Assessment Team (EAT), an interdepartmental collaboration, to coordinate environmental due diligence for Hennepin County departments and collaborate with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; The Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority s Vision 2012, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Program, and the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority; Coordination with federal Sustainable Housing and Communities Program and Living Cities; and Continued efforts to strengthen the relationships between public transportation, economic development, and employment and training services within the Central, Southwest, and Bottineau Boulevard transitways. Hennepin County identified projects that address CEDS goals and objectives. Hennepin County staff and the Hennepin-Carver WIB s Business and Economic Development Committee reviewed proposals and recommended infrastructure; business finance; and research, technology, and planning proposals for the CEDS. The listed projects lie both within and outside the Economic Target Areas and: Stimulate economic development, Foster effective transportation access, Enhance and protect the environment, Maximize workforce development and use, Promote technology in economic development, Balance resources, and Leverage funds and resources. The Workforce Investment Board and the Business and Economic Development Committee will provide oversight and evaluation of activities in this plan. Contact Information Patrick Connoy, Senior Administrative Manager, Workforce Services Manager Department of Housing, Community Works and Transit Hennepin County 701 Fourth Avenue South, Suite 400 Minneapolis, MN patrick.connoy@co.hennepin.mn.us 2

7 I. Organization of Hennepin County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee The Hennepin County Board appointed the volunteer Hennepin-Carver Workforce Investment Board (WIB) to oversee workforce development pursuant to the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 for Workforce Service Area (WSA) 9 and serve as the Hennepin County CEDS Committee. The Hennepin County Board serves as the fiscal agent and grant recipient for WSA 9, the most populous of 16 service areas in Minnesota. WSA 9 covers suburban Hennepin County and all of Carver County. WIB, constituted under rules established in WIA and certified by the State of Minnesota, approves annual plans; makes policy; insures appropriate employment and training coordination with education, labor, economic development and human services; and meets local business community workforce development needs. The Hennepin County Board and the WIB approved the WIB as responsible for the CEDS. WIB established standing committees including the Executive Committee, Business and Economic Development Committee, Finance, and Evaluation and Analysis Committee. The Business and Economic Development Committee oversees the CEDS. A. Workforce Investment Board and Business Economic Development Committee as of 1/1/2012 Membership Category Name Adult Basic Education Tamra Sieve Economic Development/CDBG - Carver County *John Sullivan Business, Hennepin County Thomas Bodin, Chair Business, Hennepin County *Lyle Clemenson Business, Hennepin County Jim Dow Business, Hennepin County Christine Dressel Business, Hennepin County *David Gaither Business, Hennepin County *Bruce Krupnick Business, Hennepin County Ed Luna Business, Hennepin County Douglas Muller Business, Hennepin County Vonnie Phillips Business, Hennepin County Tony Scallon Business, Hennepin County *Meyrick Vaz Business, Hennepin County Mathew Rothchild Business, Hennepin County vacant Chief elected official Gwen Jansen Community based organizations *Carrie Scheffler Community based organizations *Nancy James Youth Council Norm Champ Economic Development *Ann Mavity Wagner Peyser Job Service *Jim Wrobleski Post Secondary Education Leslie Philmon Labor *Jenny Winkelaar Labor *Pete Parris Rehabilitation Services Jan Thompson Economic Development Patricia Fenrick * Member Business and Economic Development Committee 3

8 B. Hennepin County Economic and Workforce Development Staffing In 2010, the workforce development functions and the WIB merged with economic development functions within Hennepin County Housing, Community Works and Transit. The merger coordinated programs and outreach so that economic development and workforce services assist businesses to retain and create jobs and increase workforce skills and business investment. The merger enabled the design and implementation of a coordinated, flexible approach to interacting and partnering with businesses, state government, municipalities, chambers, business organizations, educational institutions, and workforce training providers to improve service delivery, response to businesses, reporting, and provision of timely services needed by businesses. A critical element of this action is integration of State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (MNDEED) Business Service Specialists into the outreach and delivery system. C. Economic Development History Hennepin County operates under the March 1, 2005, updated December 1, 2006, December 2009, and January 2010 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) approved by U.S. Economic Development Administration. Appendix A has the June 9, 2005, letter of approval from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. II. Analysis of Regional Economy, Partners, and Resources A. Employment and Unemployment Table 1 shows the labor force and employed data in Hennepin County since The county had the highest average number of persons in the labor force in 2001 (671,841), with that number bottoming out in 2006 (650,515) and increasing to 660,744 in These numbers indicate a 4,684 (0.7%) drop from 2000 to The lowest number employed, 608,275, occurred in 2009, the same year with the most unemployed: 49,686. From 2000 to 2011, employment dropped 27,301 (4.2%) and the number of unemployed rose from 17,718 to 40,335, a 128 percent increase. The unemployment rate more than doubled from 2.7 percent to 6.1 percent. 4

9 Table 1: Hennepin County Labor Force Data* Annual Averages Labor Force Number Employed Number Unemployed Unemployment Rate , ,409 40, , ,337 45, , ,275 49, , ,387 32, , ,433 27, , ,862 23, , ,854 24, , ,034 28, , ,533 30, , ,638 29, , ,062 23, , ,710 17, * Not seasonally adjusted. Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Figure 1 shows the Hennepin County unemployment rate paralleled and remained below the U.S. rate from 2000 through From 2009 to 2011, Hennepin County s rate declined from 7.6 percent to 6.1 percent, while the U.S. rate decreased to from 9.3 percent to 8.9 percent. The largest increase for Hennepin County and the U.S. occurred from 2008 to 2009, an increase of 2.7 percent and 3.5 percentage points respectively. The gap between the county s and national rate grew from 1.3 percentage points to 2.8 from 2000 to Figure 1: Comparison of Hennepin County and National Unemployment Rates* 12.0% 10.0% 9.3% 9.6% 8.9% Unemployment Rate 8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.7% 5.8% 6.0% 5.6% 5.1% 4.6% 4.6% 4.4% 4.6% 4.4% 3.8% 3.6% 4.1% 5.8% 4.9% 7.6% 6.9% 6.1% 2.0% 2.7% 3.5% 0.0% * Not seasonally adjusted. S February of Year o Hennepin County US u rce: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development 5

10 B. Target Area Conditions Despite Hennepin County s relative prosperity, some areas of the county have an economic disadvantage. These communities continue to be hurt by the economic slowdown of the past few years, as demonstrated by their high poverty rates and/or lower household incomes. Hennepin County has and will continue to target economic development and redevelopment efforts toward these areas of greatest economic disadvantage. Figure 2 shows newly identified Target Areas, using Census data, for using the criteria of having either: 20 percent or more of their population living in poverty or A median household income under 80 percent of the region s average ($49,062) Twelve communities in the county include all or part of a target area within their borders: Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Edina, Hopkins, Minneapolis, New Hope, Osseo, Richfield, Robbinsdale, St. Anthony, and St. Louis Park. 6

11 Figure 2: Hennepin County Economic Target Areas 7

12 Table 2 presents Target Area economic and demographic data. The 2010 US Census showed Target Areas had a population of 341,926 almost one-third of the county s population. Twothirds of that population is located in Minneapolis. Three areas had non-white populations (including African-Americans, Asian- Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics) greater than 60 percent: Minneapolis- North, Minneapolis-South, and Brooklyn Park. In general, the Target Areas have a greater proportion of foreign-born residents than the county. Twenty-seven percent of the population in the Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis-South Target Areas were foreign-born, as well as 22 percent of those in Minneapolis-Southwest. Only 4 percent in Osseo were foreign-born. Nearly 30 percent of residents in the Edina-Richfield and Osseo Target Areas were ages 65 and over. New Hope-Robbinsdale and St. Anthony had 22 percent ages 65 and over. Conversely, the Minneapolis Target Areas had low percentages of seniors. Rental units predominated in four areas: Minneapolis-Central (72% rental), Minneapolis-Southwest (71%), Minneapolis-East (65%), and Hopkins-St. Louis Park (64%). Only St. Anthony had a rental percentage (26%) lower than the county s rate (35%). Target Area residents were more likely to live in households with no vehicle than the county as a whole (10%). Notably, 37 percent of households in Minneapolis-Central, and one quarter of households in Minneapolis-South, did not have a vehicle. Poverty rates varied widely in the Target Areas. Rates approached or exceeded 30 percent in four Minneapolis areas: Central, East, North, and South. Rates were 10 percent or lower in Osseo and St. Anthony. By definition, median household incomes in the Target Areas are lower than the county ($61,328). Income was lowest in Minneapolis-East ($29,600), Minneapolis- Central ($31,000), and Minneapolis-South ($34,300). 8

13 Table 2: Demographic and Economic Data for Target Areas Indicator Hennepin County Brooklyn Center Brooklyn Park New Hope- Robbinsdale Osseo Population 1,152,425 12,745 20,912 16,865 2,564 Households 473,856 4,836 7,896 7,152 1,164 Minority (including Hispanic) 28% 52% 62% 27% 7% Foreign-Born 13% 19% 27% 14% 4% Age 65 and Over 11% 11% 9% 22% 29% Renter Occupied Housing Units 35% 41% 52% 47% 42% No High School Diploma 9% 11% 10% 9% 10% In Poverty 12% 13% 20% 13% 7% Households with No Vehicle 10% 13% 17% 19% 13% Median Household Income $61,328 $46,700 $41,600 $ $44,000 Indicator Crosstown Bloomington Edina- Richfield Hopkins St Louis Pk St. Anthony Population 26,882 11,742 6,694 14,276 2,115 Households 11,220 5,278 4,199 7,073 1,105 Minority (including Hispanic) 36% 44% 24% 32% 10% Foreign-Born 18% 19% 16% 20% 10% Age 65 and Over 14% 11% 29% 10% 22% Renter Occupied Housing Units 40% 51% 53% 64% 26% No High School Diploma 9% 10% 8% 6% 4% In Poverty 12% 19% 12% 12% 10% Households with No Vehicle 10% 14% 19% 13% 18% Median Household Income $44,700 $38,600 $36,900 $44,800 $35,900 Indicator Mpls Central Mpls East Mpls North Mpls South Mpls Southwest Population 20,298 57,401 53,123 58,321 37,988 Households 13,170 21,448 18,789 22,835 18,645 Minority (including Hispanic) 31% 33% 69% 61% 37% Foreign-Born 16% 20% 15% 27% 22% Age 65 and Over 10% 6% 6% 7% 6% Renter Occupied Housing Units 72% 65% 34% 50% 71% No High School Diploma 8% 8% 13% 14% 9% In Poverty 29% 39% 32% 30% 23% Households with No Vehicle 37% 22% 21% 25% 21% Median Household Income $31,000 $29,600 $36,200 $34,300 $38,000 Source: US Census Bureau/American Community Survey 9

14 C. Overall Hennepin County Economy Table 3 shows 22 industries that distinguish Hennepin County from the rest of the country - industries that have a higher share of local employment than the national average. The county s relatively diverse industry base lessened employment losses. From 2002 through 2010, eight industries added 27,727 jobs and 14 lost 31,585 jobs, for a net decrease of 3,858 jobs. Social assistance added the most jobs, 11,251, followed by management of companies and enterprises (5,872 jobs) and insurance carriers and related activities (4,189). Computer and electronic product manufacturing lost the most jobs (5,166) followed by durable goods merchant wholesalers (4,928) and machinery manufacturing (4,775). 10

15 Table 3: Hennepin County Distinguishing Industries and Recent Trends (Average Private Sector Employment) Industry Professional and Technical Services (541) Management of Companies and Enterprises (551) Insurance Carriers and Related Activities (524) Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (423) 66,747 64,974 63,512 65,344 69,032 71,302 72,540 67,700 67,124 34,320 33,675 37,027 36,550 37,028 37,654 41,026 40,171 40,192 28,591 29,071 28,563 28,940 29,042 29,956 32,002 32,280 32,780 27,816 27,066 27,098 26,610 27,134 26,960 26,148 23,837 22,888 Social Assistance (624) 15,065 16,330 17,231 19,153 20,888 22,580 24,628 25,147 26,316 Credit Intermediation and Related Activity (522) Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing (334) 21,047 22,390 22,158 22,194 22,775 20,549 19,343 19,008 19,387 21,272 19,881 19,822 20,491 20,082 18,885 18,499 16,821 16,106 Real Estate (531) 12,474 12,761 13,730 14,081 14,362 15,098 14,872 14,319 14,392 Financial Investment and Related Activity (523) Personal and Laundry Services (812) Miscellaneous Manufacturing (339) 16,512 15,974 16,196 16,450 16,520 16,334 14,784 13,469 12,934 11,812 11,736 11,995 11,806 11,797 11,868 12,108 11,512 10,529 8,349 8,354 8,858 9,631 10,576 11,209 10,663 10,536 10,372 Machinery Manufacturing (333) 13,793 12,973 11,963 11,523 10,914 11,011 10,110 9,052 9,018 Electronic Markets and Agents/Brokers (425) Printing and Related Support Activities (323) 7,452 7,987 8,070 8,147 8,850 9,128 9,253 9,039 9,158 10,279 10,521 10,405 10,402 9,945 9,621 9,237 7,981 7,168 Publishing Industries (511) 8,417 8,179 8,169 8,396 8,205 8,075 7,823 7,216 6,996 Miscellaneous Store Retailers (453) Sporting Goods/Hobby/Book/Music Stores (451) 7,433 7,134 7,102 6,477 6,187 6,068 5,462 5,202 5,759 5,103 4,921 4,943 5,064 5,302 5,000 4,816 4,374 4,503 Couriers and Messengers (492) 4,165 4,222 4,325 4,224 4,153 4,130 4,177 3,606 3,567 ISPs, Search Portals, & Data Processing (518) 6,164 5,078 4,422 4,418 4,162 3,700 3,765 3,778 3,885 Nonstore Retailers (454) 3,862 3,528 3,576 3,916 4,023 4,069 3,669 3,373 3,459 Performing Arts and Spectator Sports (711) Transit and Ground Passenger Transport (485) Total 22 Industries Above, Private Sector Total, All Industries, Private Sector 3,600 3,796 3,613 3,548 3,472 3,608 3,662 3,689 3,991 2,773 2,692 2,751 2,759 2,845 2,692 2,739 2,765 2, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,861 Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, 11

16 III. CEDS Vision Statement, Goals, Objectives, and Priorities A. Vision Statement Focus and coordinate provision of Hennepin County economic development and employment and training services to foster and advise on long-term economic development and the generation of highly-skilled, high-paying jobs within emerging industries in the Hennepin- Carver county areas. B. Goals 1. Ensure the economic competitiveness of Hennepin County and the region by: Promoting employment growth and developing the workforce; Providing basic infrastructure and amenities (transportation, service buildings, libraries, and parks); Cleaning up contaminated lands; and Connecting workforce services to growing industry sectors. 2. Advise the Hennepin County Board on the financial and legal implications for economic development projects by: Identifying specific funding alternatives; Limiting financial risk and exposure; and Meeting all legal requirements. 3. Ensure a return on Hennepin County's investment in economic development. 4. Focus investments on locations in or closely linked to Target Areas. C. Policies, Issues or Projects to Come Before the CEDS Committee 1. Projects and programs listed in the CEDS. 2. Catalog of Hennepin County resources that could assist municipalities in development projects, including: Training and employment assistance programs, Review of state and federal grant applications for economic development; and Review of policies for use of monies for workforce and economic development. D Business and Economic Development Committee Workplan Goal 1: Assist businesses with economic development programs that also offer workforce opportunities. Work with Hennepin County Economic Development and the State of Minnesota to determine how best to use the CEDS structure and priorities to assist Hennepin County local businesses and industries; Continue to operate the pilot Economic Gardening Program and seek to expand to additional businesses in Hennepin County; Use information provided by State of Minnesota Business Services Specialists and other workforce organizations and agencies to jointly address financing and specific needs identified by local employers and industry groups; 12

17 Sponsor coordinating forums to improve linkage of Hennepin County municipalities, service providers, and economic developers with the State of Minnesota Business Services Specialists Program, including Economic Gardening; Attend, as appropriate, community development forums sponsored by the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority; Market the Minnesota Community Capital Fund and Common Bond Fund Industrial Development Bonding to businesses; Coordinate information on workforce programs with Greater MSP, the regional economic development and site selection organization; and, Obtain Economic Development Administration reauthorization of the EDA Defense Conversion Revolving Loan Fund to serve returning veterans to reestablish and start businesses. Goal 2: Goal 3: Maintain familiarity with local Labor Market Information (LMI) and workforce needs of key industries to insure economic development program design effectiveness. Remain educated on the economic state of WIB service areas. Identify key indicators such as layoffs, unemployment rates, business expansion, and new employers. Hennepin County has or participates in programs and initiatives, highlighted below, to foster and coordinate economic development. IV. Community and Private Sector Participation Hennepin County, through its Hennepin Community Works (HCW) Program, works to coordinate public infrastructure investments with economic development. HCW is a multi-jurisdictional planning program and the following principles guide investments: Stimulate employment development Build bridges for effective planning and implementation Maintain and improve natural systems Strengthen communities through connections Enhance the Tax Base Projects seek to simultaneously increase mobility, encourage business development, attract new jobs, improve the natural environment, and enhance property values in areas that have experienced a loss of job opportunities, declining property values, and general economic deterioration. Through investment strategies that integrate transportation, public works, parks and the natural environment, HCW builds better urban and suburban neighborhoods. To date, over $75 million in federal, state, and local dollars have been budgeted to support HCW project implementation, including the Humboldt Avenue Greenway, 29 th Street Corridor, and Lowry Avenue Corridor. Another half-dozen HCW projects, most within or adjacent to Hennepin County Economic Target Areas, are in the planning, design, and initial construction phases. Projects include Minnehaha-Hiawatha and Shady Oak Road Community Works. 13

18 HCW uses a multi-resource approach to finance public and private investments in project areas. As the planning process identifies project elements, funding sources are identified for each element. Funding sources have included general obligation bonds; property assessments; housing revenue bonds; tax increment proceeds; state bonding; federal, state and regional grants; and project revenues. Many of the HCW projects have a public/private partnership in place as part of the project. The partnership is comprised of elected officials, and corporate and community representatives. The partnership guides the project planning and implementation. Following are Community Works Projects: Hopkins and Minnetonka, Shady Oak Road Hennepin County Transportation is planning the County Road 61/Shady Oak Road upgrade within the cities of Hopkins and Minnetonka for 2011 and This project is more than just a road project. A land-use analysis identified re-use potential of adjacent properties. The city and county are working together to negotiate the purchase of these properties from willing sellers. This project is adjacent to the Hopkins Economic Target Area. Minneapolis, Lowry Avenue Corridor Hennepin County and the city of Minneapolis have been working for the past ten years to stabilize the ten neighborhoods that border Lowry Avenue and created the Lowry Avenue Corridor Plan to guide housing and retail redevelopment activities. The Plan identifies actions to improve livability of adjoining neighborhoods by concentrating commercial spaces around transit nodes, enhancing access to jobs, offering mixed-income housing, and providing multimodal transportation options. In 2009, Lowry Avenue reconstruction was completed with wider sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, landscaped boulevards, and intersection improvements. Property has been acquired for redevelopment purposes. Once the economy improves, redevelopment on these vacant properties should happen. This project impacts the Lowry Avenue Economic Target Area. Minneapolis, Minnehaha-Hiawatha Project The Minnehaha-Hiawatha Community Works Project parallels the Hiawatha LRT line from the Midtown Greenway south to Minnehaha Parkway and between the LRT line east to Minnehaha Avenue. The corridor's proximity to the LRT line provides incredible opportunity for development, yet the corridor experiences many challenges: difficult traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian crossings of Hiawatha Avenue; a utility corridor that includes railroad tracks and high voltage power lines; poor quality pedestrian and bicycle facilities; aging industrial (including brownfield) land uses; an irregular street grid creating site access and parcel configuration problems; and other challenges for private assembly of sites for redevelopment. The Minnehaha-Hiawatha Community Works Project seeks to maximize potential benefits from the Hiawatha LRT line by leveraging county infrastructure investments to create jobs and economic development, improve area natural systems, improve transportation (including improved bike and pedestrian crossings, access and lighting), and enhance the area's tax base. The project is adjacent to the Lake Street Economic Target Area. 14

19 Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, Southwest Transitway Expected to open in 2018, the proposed 15-mile, 17 station Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT) line is now in preliminary engineering and will provide high frequency train service to the rapidly growing southwest metro area Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina, Hopkins, and St. Louis Park as well as Minneapolis neighborhoods and downtown Minneapolis. The Southwest LRT line will connect to the Hiawatha, Central, and Northstar rail lines and high frequency bus routes in downtown Minneapolis, providing access to the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, Mall of America, state capitol, and downtown St. Paul. Southwest LRT ridership is projected at approximately 28,000 trips per day. In December 2009, the Hennepin County Board established the Southwest LRT Community Works project. Southwest LRT Community Works is a collaboration between the corridor cities, Hennepin County, Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, and the Metropolitan Council, to create a shared vision and implementation strategy to provide housing choices, stimulate business and job growth, enable Transit-Oriented Development, provide access to employment, and enhance the long term value of the communities in the Southwest LRT Corridor. Since late 2010, the partners have come together to establish a unified corridor vision for quality housing and neighborhoods, improved mobility, and a robust economy. The corridor is also a key participant in the regional Corridors of Opportunity, Sustainable Communities and Living Cities programs that are increasing the connection between economic development, land use planning and transportation. V. Strategic Projects, Programs and Activities A. Coordinate Economic Development with Environmental Protection Hennepin County established a unique interdepartmental collaboration, the Environmental Assessment Team (EAT), to provide internal environmental assistance and coordinate environmental due diligence for Hennepin County. Member departments include Hennepin County Environmental Services, HCWT, Property Services, Taxpayer Services, Transportation, the County Attorney s Office, the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA), and the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA). B. Coordinate Economic Development with Transportation and Transit Improvements Hennepin County has made available $2 million per year in Capital Bond funds ($22 million since 2003) to support multijurisdictional Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) housing and redevelopment projects. Funding is only available to those multi-jurisdictional programs and projects that occur within or directly adjacent to Hennepin County-owned transit corridors and/or where new or enhanced transit services supporting county strategies are taking place. Figure 5 shows the 2011 TOD grant awards. The TOD Program has been successful in leveraging other public and significant private investment; at completion, projects awarded funding in 2011 will leverage more than $149 million from other sources, create approximately 470 housing units and over 950 jobs. Hennepin County, internally and through partnership with the Federal Transit Administration, continues to implement activities that improve the relationship between public transportation and economic development. 15

20 Minneapolis and St. Paul, Central Corridor LRT Now under construction and expected to open in 2014, Central Corridor Light Rail Transit (LRT) is an 11-mile transit line that will connect downtown Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota, and downtown Saint Paul. This LRT Corridor encompasses two of Minneapolis s largest employment and growth centers, downtown and the University of Minnesota. The project reinforces significant economic development initiatives within the city, including the University Research Park Bioscience Sub- Zone, transit development and commercial corridor revitalization along University Avenue, and implementation of the Cedar Riverside Area and 29th Avenue SE Area Plans. Corridor projects will need investment over the next several years to improve pedestrian, bicycle, and bus access to the West Bank Station, remediate site pollution, improve utilities, acquire property, and improve University Avenue streetscape, such as lightning, plantings, and sidewalks. Infrastructure improvements will facilitate corridor development. Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Robbinsdale, Bottineau Transitway Corridor The proposed Bottineau Transitway will provide transit improvements in the highly traveled northwest area of the Twin Cities. The Bottineau Transitway will extend approximately 13 miles from downtown Minneapolis to the northwest through north Minneapolis and the suburbs of Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal, New Hope, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, and Osseo. The transitway route options are currently under study in the environmental impact statement. The corridor has opportunities to connect housing and jobs with transit as it passes through corporate headquarters, commercial centers, two lakes, Crystal Airport, and two colleges. Depending on routing, the corridor may pass through the Lowry Economic Target Area and near the Brooklyn Park Economic Target Area. The corridor is also a key participant in the regional Corridors of Opportunity, Sustainable Communities and Living Cities programs. C. Coordinate Employment and Training for Economic Growth Hennepin County maintains several employment and training programs directly applicable to economic growth. The goal of the programs described below is to provide employers with a well-trained workforce. Suburban Hennepin County and Carver County, designated as a Workforce Service Area (WSA), administers programs under the federal Workforce Investment Act. Hennepin County s Human Services and Public Health Department provides welfareto-work training. Dislocated Worker services provide training to employees who have lost employment through no fault of their own (lay-off, closure, etc.). This program is funded by Federal WIA and the State of Minnesota. Hennepin County has three streams of funding to address the unemployment and workforce development issues for Hennepin County s suburban-area youth, aged These streams include federal (i.e., the Workforce Investment Act), state (The Minnesota Youth Program) and local (i.e., The Commissioners Youth Program) that address distressed youth populations within the CED s targeted area. These populations include youth who are economically disadvantaged, disabled, pregnant, teen parents, adjudicated and foster youth and/or homeless youth. Figure 3 shows the 16

21 geographical distribution of program youth and their correlation with areas of economic distress. The correlation between participation in these youth programs and those areas is high and worthy of note. Program activities include, but are not limited to pre-employment assessments, career exploration, math and reading remediation, credential attainment, work-experience and development of work-readiness skills. Youth have opportunities to work at community based organizations, local governments, and within educational agencies. Youth participate in group and individual projects which involve the improvement of the natural environment, and enhancement of property values in areas that have experienced a loss of job opportunities, declining property values, and general economic deterioration. 17

22 Figure 3: Youth Training Clients 18

23 Figure 4 shows WorkForce Centers and employment and training service locations. The Lowry Avenue Economic Target Area is near the North Minneapolis WorkForce Center and has or is near multiple employment and training service locations. The Lake Street Economic Target Area has the South Minneapolis WorkForce Center and has or is near multiple employment and training service locations. Figure 4: Employment and Training Service Centers 19

24 D. Financial Support for Economic Growth Economic development impacts multiple aspects of a community. Hennepin County provides direct financial support of private development, makes investments that impact private development, and sponsors business finance and workforce development programs that support businesses. The county is integrating its initiatives and programs to more closely align county investments in environment, transportation, land use, development, and public facilities. Integration activities include: 1. Environmental Response Fund The Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund (ERF) funds environmental-related assessment and cleanup of sites throughout Hennepin County where no other funding source is available, where a public non-tax-generating end use is intended, and/or to create or preserve affordable housing. Figure 5 shows 2011 ERF grant sites, some in or adjacent to the Brooklyn Park, Hopkins, Lake Street, Lowry Avenue Economic Target Areas. 2. Economic Gardening Economic gardening focuses on growing existing businesses in a community as a complement to recruiting businesses from outside the region. Economic gardening strategies are entrepreneur-centered, and target second-stage companies (10-99 employees) as significant job creators well-positioned for growth. The Edward Lowe Foundation, a nationally recognized entrepreneurship development organization, has demonstrated economic gardening approaches in Littleton, Colorado and through a statewide initiative in Florida. The core approach being piloted in Hennepin County provides a suite of high-end, high-speed technical assistance and business resources to companies that have grown beyond the startup phase and need access to information and decision-making tools typically only available to larger companies. By working with the Edward Lowe Foundation, a team of highly trained and experienced analysts are being deployed to select Hennepin County second stage companies who have been referred to the program by participating municipalities. 3. Open to Business Entrepreneur Development The Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) has offered direct lending and technical assistance to entrepreneurs, startup and expanding small businesses since With funding support from Hennepin County, MCCD is partnering with 14 suburban Hennepin County cities to offer direct, one-on-one services to entrepreneurs through the Open to Business initiative. Through this model, MCCD staff provides business consulting to participating cities existing businesses and residents who are thinking about opening or expanding a business. The range of services offered include: business plan development, feasibility studies, cash flow and financing projections, marketing, assistance preparing loan requests, and advocacy with lending institutions. MCCD staff help connect entrepreneurs with banks, community development lenders, and MCCD s own small business loan fund that can help entrepreneurs access the capital they need to be successful. Rather than provide a fixed set of services for a fixed fee, Open to Business provides services tailored to the unique needs of each community s entrepreneurs for a flat annual fee. 20

25 Figure 5: 2011 Environmental Response Fund, Transit Oriented Development Grant Locations, and Open to Business Sites 21

26 4. EDA Defense Conversion Revolving Loan Fund for post 9/11 Veterans To address the credit needs of returning post 9/11 Veterans and their spouses, Hennepin County is requesting the US Economic Development Administration to allow us to use principal repayments and related interest to make loans to Post 9/11 War Veterans for upgrades and expansion of existing businesses and the start-up of new business. Due to the number of returning veterans and spouses impacted by the region s changing economic conditions, Hennepin County is requesting this reuse of Defense Conversion Loan repayments. Under this proposal, Hennepin County will be the Prime Lender in the financing of working capital loans to recently returning veterans and their spouses and a participating lender for capital expansion activities. 5. Integrate Business Service Specialists with Business Finance and Community Works As part of our ongoing attempts to leverage resources to help the business community, Hennepin County, through its participation in the Workforce Investment Board, is partnering with the State of Minnesota and their Business Service Specialists to work more closely to identify business needs and solutions. The State of Minnesota has agreed to allow the Hennepin - Carver Workforce Investment Board to identify targeted industries that correspond to local Labor Market Information and utilize state staff to coordinate a response. 6. Common Bond Fund Industrial Development Bonding Hennepin County made the Minneapolis Common Bond Fund (CBF) Program available to suburban Hennepin County manufacturing companies. In existence since 1982, the CBF has financed a wide variety of projects throughout Minneapolis. The CBF is designed for established owner-occupied manufacturing facilities with a history of profitability and whose owners provide personal guaranties. The CBF Loan Program provides the following benefits to Hennepin County businesses: Long-term, fixed-rate financing to businesses at below market interest rates; Issuance of revenue bonds on either a tax-exempt or taxable basis to finance industrial, commercial and medical facilities and some nonprofit activities. Projects can include land acquisition, new facility construction, additions to existing facilities, purchase and renovation of existing structures, and productionequipment purchase; Bonds issued through the CBF are investment grade instruments with an "A-" municipal bond rating from Standard & Poor's based on the security provided by the CBF; and Ability to generate a stream of revenue to Hennepin County and the city of Minneapolis for other economic development activities. 7. Greater Metropolitan Foreign Trade Zone Hennepin County, the city of Minneapolis, the city of Bloomington, and the Metropolitan Airports Commission, organized as a joint powers agency, comprise the Foreign Trade Zone Commission (FTZ #119). Under its federal charter, the Commission designates and manages General Purpose and sub-zones for the benefit of businesses involved in the 22

27 import and export goods. The Minneapolis/St. Paul area has five General Purpose Zones. Burnsville has one sub zone. FTZ #119 includes the Minneapolis Convention Center, west Bloomington, Eagan Industrial Park, Mid-City Industrial Park, and the Greater Airport Bloomington site adjacent to the Richfield/Bloomington Economic Target Area. 8. Greater MSP The GREATER MSP Partnership is committed to stimulating economic growth and prosperity in the Minnesota s 13-county Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area. As a publicprivate partnership funded by charitable donations, its vision is to be a value-added resource to all economic development organizations in the Greater MSP region. The Partnership works with dozens of economic development partners at the state and regional levels. It provides vision, strategy, resources and staff support to governments and organizations involved with job creation, regional marketing, business recruitment and business retention. Specifically, the GREATER MSP Partnership leads or partners with existing organizations to: Set a strategic vision for regional economic development Define and guide a tactical economic development agenda Brand and market the Greater MSP region to internal and external audiences Retain and expand current businesses in the region Attract new businesses to the region Connect businesses with local resources and incentives E. Hennepin County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Projects From municipalities with target areas or adjacent to target areas, Hennepin County solicited planned projects that represent CEDS goals and objectives. Hennepin County staff and the Hennepin-Carver WIB s Business and Economic Development Committee worked together to review proposals and recommended infrastructure; business finance; and research, technology, and planning proposals for the CEDS. Following are the recommended projects. Figure 6 shows project locations. 23

28 Figure 6: Hennepin County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Projects

29 Brooklyn Park, Village Creek Redevelopment Area The city of Brooklyn Park is planning for continued redevelopment and job growth in the Village Creek redevelopment area and surrounding neighborhood. This redevelopment project strengthens an economically challenged area by eliminating blight conditions, increasing the tax base, and creating opportunity sites for new jobs. Hennepin County has partnered with the city to provide pedestrian and transit improvements in the Village Creek redevelopment area as well as the development of a neighborhood police station. Village Creek area is within the Brooklyn Park Economic Target Area. Golden Valley, Douglas Drive Corridor Douglas Drive, a Hennepin County collector street, is a major employment corridor: home to Honeywell, United Health, and Tenant headquarters. Douglas Drive has a large percentage of the city s multifamily housing units. The city of Golden Valley is in the process of establishing a redevelopment area to encourage corporate reinvestment in the area, redevelop underutilized property, and develop infrastructure that supports transit, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic. The area has brownfields, high water table, railroad crossings, limited pedestrian facilities, a Bassett Creek crossing, and poor soil structure, all of which challenge redevelopment. In addition, limited street right-of-way, overhead utilities, and antiquated drainage system impede needed street upgrades. Golden Valley, Xenia Avenue/Park Place Improvement Area This area centers on the Xenia/Park Place interchange at I-394 and includes property in Golden Valley and St. Louis Park. To maximize this major interchange s economic potential, street improvements are necessary to support increased vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. Other improvements to the natural systems and public and private utilities will also encourage economic development. In keeping with Metropolitan Council directives, Golden Valley has created a mixed-use zoning district in the area that would increase private development density, but also requires renewed public infrastructure to support land use changes. Hopkins, Blake Road/Cold Storage Site The Blake Road (County Rd 20) Corridor has been the focus of revitalization efforts since Crime increases, housing stock quality decreases, and poor urban design (lack of sidewalks, pocket park) have led to combined efforts with the Hopkins Police Department, Hennepin County, Hopkins Public Schools, and city staff. The corridor s completed Small Area Plan has a vision for revitalization that includes planned and proposed transit-oriented redevelopment and facilities for improving the quality of and access to the Minnehaha Creek. This project impacts the Hopkins Economic Target Area. Hopkins, East End The goal is to redevelop the East End (Hwy 169 to Blake Road, Excelsior Boulevard to 2nd Street) into higher density, mixed-use developments that include primarily office 25

30 and housing with limited retail uses. In 2003, the City Council adopted a plan that identifies a concept development plan with a number of development modules adjacent to the Hopkins Economic Target Area. The Southwest LRT Corridor passes through this area. Hopkins, Fifth Avenue Flats Fifth Avenue Flats is a 230+ unit luxury apartment development proposal with 13,000 square foot of retail on the ground floor on Mainstreet in downtown Hopkins. Downtown Hopkins historic Mainstreet is a unique commercial corridor in the west metro and its revitalization and vitality are a major priority for the city. Luxury rental is an unserved market in Hopkins and is further encouraged by the 3,300 Cargill jobs that will be located within walking distance of the development by The site is also within a half mile of the Downtown Hopkins Station of the proposed Southwest Light Rail Transit Line. This project impacts the Hopkins Economic Target Area. Hopkins, Former EBCO site This approximately 9-acre site along the planned Southwest LRT Corridor and at the prime intersection of Highway 169 and Excelsior Boulevard was vacated in The site is being marketed for a hotel/office/retail development. This project is adjacent to the Hopkins Economic Target Area. Hopkins, Marketplace and Main Located one block west of Fifth Avenue Flats, Marketplace and Main is a planned development of 53 condominiums, 7 townhomes, and ground floor retail. This development is also within walking distance to Cargill and the Downtown Hopkins LRT station. This project impacts the Hopkins Economic Target Area. Hopkins, Park Nicollet Clinic Site Park Nicollet vacated its clinic at 8th Avenue and 1st Street South in August The city is redeveloping this site into a mixed-use project consistent with the goal of the transforming 8th Avenue into a pedestrian seductive corridor from the proposed LRT station at 8th and Excelsior Boulevard to Mainstreet. A secondary goal is to increase housing options in the downtown and near LRT. This project is in the Hopkins Economic Target Area. Minneapolis, Bassett Creek Valley The Bassett Creek Valley mixed-use redevelopment will replace a blighted, city-owned 50 acre site just west of downtown Minneapolis with 800,000 sq. ft of commercial office space, over 400 housing units, 3,000 permanent jobs, and $150 million in private investment. Ryan Companies has been granted exclusive development rights to market this site to large corporate users for a transit-oriented development. The project would require $10 million in public infrastructure investments, including a street roundabout, storm water utilities, and a pedestrian bridge. This project is adjacent to the Minneapolis North Target Area. 26