041524 EDA AgendaECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING
RICHFIELD MUNICIPAL CENTER, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
APRIL 15, 2024
7:15 PM (IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE HRA MEETING)
Call to Order
Open Forum
Each speaker is to keep their comment period to three minutes to allow sufficient time for others. Comments
are to be an opportunity to address the EDA. Please refer to the EDA agenda and minutes web page for
additional ways to submit comments. You may also call 612-861-9764 or email ldubois@richfieldmn.gov with
questions. Call into the open forum by dialing 1-415-655-0001 Use webinar access code: 2634 049 3312 and
password: 1234.
Appr oval of t he M inut es
Approval of the minutes of the Regular Economic Development Authority meeting of March 18, 2024.
PRESENTATIONS
1.Overview of the Elevate Hennepin program.
Staff Report No. 7
AGENDA APPROVAL
2.Approval of the Agenda
EDA DISCUSSION ITEMS
3.EDA Discussion Items
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
4.Executive Director's Report
CLAIMS AND PAYROLLS
5.Claims
6.Adjournment
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Requests must be made at least 96
hours in advance to the City Clerk at 612-861-9739.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
March 18, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Vrieze Daniels at 7:43 p.m. in the Council
Chambers.
EDA Members
Present:
Erin Vrieze Daniels, President; Sean Hayford Oleary; Mary Supple; and
Gordon Hanson
EDA Members
Absent:
John Young
Staff Present: Julie Urban, Assistant Community Development Director; Jan Youngquist,
Economic Development Manager; LaTonia DuBois, Administrative
Assistant
OATH OF OFFICE
Assistant Community Development Director Urban administered the Oath of Office to
Commissioner Hanson.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
M/Supple, S/Hanson to elect Erin Vrieze Daniels as President
Motion carried 4-0
M/Supple, S/Hayford Oleary to elect Sean Gordon Hanson as Vice President
Motion carried 4-0
M/Supple, S/Hanson to elect Sean Hayford Oleary as Treasurer
Motion carried 4-0
M/Supple, S/Hayford Oleary to elect Dustin Leslie as Secretary
Motion carried 4-0
EDA Meeting Minutes -2- March 18, 2024
M/Supple, S/Hayford to elect Kumud Verma as Assistant Treasurer
Motion carried 4-0
OPEN FORUM
President Vrieze Daniels gave instructions on how to participate in the open forum. No
callers or speakers.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
M/Hanson, S/Supple to approve the regular Economic Development Authority meeting
minutes of February 20, 2024.
Motion carried: 4-0
ITEM #1
OVERVIEW OF THE ELEVATE HENNEPIN PROGRAM
The Elevate Hennepin presentation was postponed to April.
ITEM #2
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Hayford, S/Supple to approve the agenda with the removal of item #1.
Motion carried: 4-0
ITEM #3
CONSENT CALENDAR
Assistant Community Development Director Urban presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider resolutions designating official depositories for the Economic Development
Authority for 2024, including the approval of collateral (Staff Report No. 4).
B. Consideration of an Agreement with the Center for Energy and Environment to
administer the Apartment Remodeling Program (Staff Report No. 5).
M/Supple, S/Hayford Oleary to approve the consent calendar.
Motion carried 4-0
ITEM #4
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
CALENDAR.
None
EDA Meeting Minutes -3- March 18, 2024
ITEM #5
DESIGNATION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR MELISSA
POEHLMAN AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RICHFIELD ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (STAFF REPORT NO. 6).
Assistant Community Development Director Urban presented the staff report.
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Hanson to appoint Melissa Poehlman as the Executive Director of the
EDA for a period of five years, or the end of her current employment, whichever comes first.
Motion carried 4-0
ITEM #6
EDA DISCUSSION ITEMS
None
ITEM #7
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
No report
ITEM #8
CLAIMS
M/Hanson, S/Supple that the following claims be approved:
U.S. BANK 3/18/2024
EDA Checks # 23454 - 23474 $44,556.50
TOTAL $44,556.50
Motion carried: 4-0
ITEM #9
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:53 p.m.
Date Approved: April 15, 2024
Erin Vrieze Daniels
President
Dustin Leslie Melissa Poehlman
Secretary Executive Director
AGENDA SECTION: PRESENTATIONS
AGENDA ITEM # 1.
STAFF REPORT NO. 7
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MEETING
4/15/2024
Jan Youngquist, Economic Development ManagerREPORT PREPARED BY:
EXECUTIVE DIRE CTOR RE VIEW: Melissa Poehlman, Executive Director
ITEM FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
Overview of the Elevate Hennepin program.
EXECUTIVE SUM MARY:
The Richfield Economic Development Authority (EDA) partners with Hennepin County on the Elevate
Hennepin program, which provides resources to support businesses and entrepreneurs as they plan to
launch, grow, and evolve.
Through this program, businesses in Richfield and other Hennepin County communities can access no-
cost professional advising, cohort learning, business events, and other resources to support their business
goals.
Elevate Hennepin has more than 30 professional businesses advisors under contract. Businesses can get
up to 25 hours of insight, technical assistance, or consulting from each advisor.
Staff from Hennepin County will provide an overview of the Elevate Hennepin program, including
information on its impact in Richfield.
RECO MMENDED AC TION:
None; this is an informational presentation.
BASIS OF RECO MMEND ATION:
A.HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Elevate Hennepin (formerly known as Elevate Business) was started during the COVID-19 pandemic
as part of Hennepin County's economic relief and recovery efforts.
Elevate Hennepin has evolved and expanded its services since then, and has established partnerships
with local communities to help provide financial and promotional support for the program.
The EDA and Hennepin County entered into an Agreement for Elevate Hennepin Programming on
March 22, 2023, which is in effect until December 31, 2024.
B.EQUITABLE OR STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS OR IMPACTS
Equity considerations
Elevate Hennepin includes professional advisor organizations that are women led, BIPOC led, and
provide culturally specific, multi-lingual services.
Strategic Plan considerations
By providing professional resources for business owners and entrepreneurs, Elevate Hennepin helps
4/8/2024
support the Strategic Plan outcomes of a vibrant downtown and a diverse, inclusive and thriving
hometown.
C.POLICIES (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, statutes, exc):
Minnesota Statute 383B.79 authorizes a multijurisdictional reinvestment program involving Hennepin
County and cities within Hennepin County. The multijurisdictional program may include plans for
economic development, as well as other reinvestment activities.
D.CRITICAL TIMING ISSUES:
None.
E.FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The EDA and Hennepin County are parties to the Agreement for Elevate Hennepin Programming,
which requires the EDA to pay $5,000 to Hennepin County in 2024 for these services.
F.LEGAL CONSIDERATION:
None.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION(S):
N/A
PRINCIPAL PARTIES EXPECTED AT MEETING:
Brandon Bell, Senior Planning Analyst, Hennepin County
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Elevate Hennepin Presentation Presentation
Elevate HennepinSM
Welcome to Elevate HennepinSM
www.elevatehennepin.org
•Curated hub representing multiple agencies
(SBA, DEED, Local)
•Small business events
•Services and resources
•Lending pathways
•Content connector
•Professional business resources
•Provided by Hennepin County and its
partner Cities for Hennepin County
Businesses
Dante Williams,
Owner of Vent
Services for Businesses
•Provided by Hennepin County for Hennepin
County Businesses
•Curated 1:1 business advisory services
•30+ professional advisors
•Peer learning
•Content connection (SBA, DEED, Library,
Advisors)
•Personal navigation – 15 minute consult
•Standardizing intakeVanessa Drews,
Owner of Cheesecake Funk
•Elevate Hennepin consulting, advising, and mentorship
•Lending Pathways
•Elevate Hennepin consulting, advising, and mentorship
•Cohort based and on-demand learning
•The Coven digital membership
Startup
Microenterprise
(1-4 employees)
Early growth
(5-9 employees)
Second stage
(10-99 employees)
•Tech Essentials
One-on-One Consulting
Professional Advisors
•Mission driven for-profit or non-profits
•Community-based
•Culturally-specific, multi-lingual
•Specialized, practical and professional
business advisory services
Advisor Services
•Business planning
•Legal
•Marketing
•Financial management / projections
•Lending and preparation to access capital
•Human resources
•Technology supports
All consulting costs are paid for by Hennepin
County, no cost to you!
Hennepin County contracts
with 39 Business Advisors to
provide cohort learning
opportunities, professional
consulting services, and 1:1
business advising –all at no-
cost to local businesses.
92% Locally Led
69% Women Led
69% BIPOC Led
8
Advisor Network
•A&M Associates
•ACER
•African Development
Center
•Asian Media Access
•Backpocket Strategy
•Better Business Bureau
•Clear Talk Accounting
•ConnectUp! Institute
•Co-Starters
•Davis Law Office
•Edward Lowe
Foundation
•Enviro-Tech
•Hmong American
Partnership
•Hortensia Law Office
•IFRI, LLC
•Impact Hub
•Interise
•JLLB Media
•Kharis Consultants
•Khoo Consulting
•Latino Economic
Development Center
•Led by Truth
•LegalCORPS
•Makee Company
•MBMentors
•Minnesota Social
Impact Center
•Neighborhood
Development Center
•New American
Development Center
•New Publica
•NextStage
•Propel Nonprofits
•Raven Construction
•Sigma Consulting
•Springboard for the
Arts
•Technologist
Computers SBC
•The Coven
•The Activate Network
•Victor Jones
Consulting
•Women Venture
Workshops & Peer Learning
Helping Businesses Grow
✓Strengthen infrastructure
✓Expand customers/brand/markets
✓Path to the next level
✓Opportunities based on business stage
✓Peer learning, education, research
CEO Growth Series
Heidi Oas, Air Quality Engineering
CEO Next Alum
Elevate Tech Essentials
•Support to incorporate technology into
business
•Tech needs assessment
•Online marketing and social media
•CRM, Software, time-saving technology
•Cohort delivery by two entities
•75% reimbursement for implementation
Elevate Construction
•1:1 consulting, specialized services from
trusted construction industry experts
•Construction Intensive Workshop
Specialized Support
Certified Access Academy
•Supporting Women of Color entrepreneurs
contracting with government and corporate entities
www.elevatehennepin.org
14
Elevate Hennepin 2023 Overview
February 2024
businesses
served through
Elevate
HennepinSM
14,809
hours of
consulting
services
provided
33
Hennepin
cities
represented
13.2
average hours
of service per
client
1,122
15
Financing results (2022 –2023 Q4)
Financing
$19.5 million
111
businesses
Jobs
405 jobs
105 businesses
New Businesses Launched
135
February 2024
16
Demographic characteristics (2023)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Race / Ethnicity of Business Owner Gender of Business Owner
42% - Black / African
American
26% - White
10% - Hispanic / Latino
6% - Asian
6% - Multiracial / Other
9% - Unknown
34% - Male
56% - Female
2% - Non-Binary
8% - Unknown
Total =1,122 businesses
1% - Multiple Owners
Location of businesses served (2020 Q4 –2023 Q4)
Total = 2,444 businesses / 26,427 hours
City Biz’s Hours City Biz’s Hours
Minneapolis 1,237 14,439 Rogers 11 38
Brooklyn Park 144 2,090 Excelsior 10 149
Bloomington 137 1,687 Wayzata 10 105
St Louis Park 68 711 Champlin 9 145
Brooklyn Center 63 761 Osseo 5 16
Richfield 63 718 St Anthony 5 57
Eden Prairie 52 473 Dayton 4 29
Edina 51 658 Mound 4 57
Minnetonka 50 531 Deephaven 3 32
Hopkins 46 524 Long Lake 3 57
Maple Grove 46 399 Medina 3 77
Plymouth 46 406 Orono 3 6
Golden Valley 37 530 Maple Plain 2 1
Crystal 30 411 Shorewood 2 45
New Hope 24 263 Other Hennepin*5 21
Robbinsdale 19 157 Other / Incomplete data 252 710
* Corcoran, Loretto, Rockford, Spring Park, Tonka Bay
Bloomington -Elevate Hennepin snapshot (Q3 2023)
11528 Hours of
assistance
Businesses
receiving
service
220 1,187
Q3 2023 Since Q4 2020 Q3 2023 Since Q4 2020
35%
21%
10%
15%
10%
8%
46%
48%
2%
4%
Race & Ethnicity Gender
Black
Latino
Idea Stage
Male
No. Employees
13%
33%
33%
10%
10%
Self EmployedFemale
1 to 4
5 or more Next Stage 128
New Publica 58
Khoo Consulting 54
Davis Law Office 45
MCCD 34
Women Venture 29
JLLB Media 28
ADC 26
Victor Jones Consulting 26
Hours by top vendors (2023)
Total hours = 556
Asian
White
Business data (since January 2023 / n = 48)
N/A N/A N/A
Other
Other
Questions?
Brandon Bell, Senior Planning Analyst
Brandon.bell@hennepin.us