HC Commissioner LaTondresse Update: May 28, 2021

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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

With many businesses being impacted by COVID-19, Elevate Business HCbegan as a response to the pandemic by offering businesses in Hennepin County free advising and other resources to help them recover from the pandemic and build for future growth. This collaboration between Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber is providing equitable and inclusive support to meet the unique needs of businesses while driving long-term economic growth for our region. Jessie Baker, owner of Munkabeans Coffeehouse in downtown Hopkins and a recent participant of a facilitated peer roundtable, shared her own  positive experience with Elevate Business HC, watch her testimonial here. More resources and events for small businesses can be found here.

Updates in this week’s newsletter:

🏢 Elevate Business HC: Resources to rebuild, reestablish and reignite your business: Business owners can now access even more no-cost business advisors, consultants, and resources 

💡 Elevate Business HC provides chance to connect and share ideas: Jessie Baker, owner of Munkabeans Coffeehouse in downtown Hopkins recommends Elevate Business HC to people who are looking to connect with other small business owners.  

ℹ️ Events and resources for small businesses: Hennepin County has created an events and resources page for small businesses, featuring up-to-date regional resources and funding opportunities. 

📅 May is Mental Health Awareness Month: Find local resources and help    

✍ Apply for Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District Board: Watershed districts educate and engage residents, and the work they undertake benefits the quality and quantity of water in local, as well as downstream watersheds and communities.   

☕ Coffee with Chris – Saturday, June 5 at 10:00 am: Join me for an informal virtual conversation over coffee. Starting at 10:00 am residents can click here on June 5 to join the virtual meeting. 

In service,

Chris


🏢 Elevate Business HC: Resources to rebuild, reestablish and reignite your business

Elevate Business HC


Hennepin County’s innovative, hard-working entrepreneurs are among our region’s greatest assets. Hennepin County is investing resources to build a stronger, more inclusive ecosystem that will position our entrepreneurs and businesses for continued success and growth. 

Business owners can now access even more no-cost business advisors, consultants, and resources through Elevate Business HC, a collaboration between Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber.

Businesses can receive up to 25 hours of one-on-one consultation with private and nonprofit business advisors and consultants to provide practical business support in a variety of areas, including: 

  • Accounting 
  • Finance 
  • Legal 
  • Marketing 
  • Social media 
  • Web development 
  • Human Resources 
  • And more

Eligibility 

Any business owner in Hennepin County with a commercial or home-based location is eligible to access Elevate Business HC, as well as any resident of Hennepin County seeking guidance on how to start a business.

The business advisors and resources in Elevate Business serve entrepreneurs at every level and represent the diversity of business owners throughout Hennepin County.

Learn more 


💡 Elevate Business HC provides chance to connect and share ideas

Jessie Baker, owner of Munkabeans Coffeehouse in downtown Hopkins and a recent participant of a facilitated peer roundtable, recommends Elevate Business HC to people who are looking to connect with other small business owners.  

“For us, it was a really successful opportunity to be able to share some success stories, share some struggles, and get some really good ideas for what might work in your own community. It not only helped our business, but it was able to help other businesses in Hopkins as well,” said Baker. 

Watch the full testimonial 


ℹ️ Events and resources for small businesses

Elevate Business HC providers and other organizations in the region are busy planning events and providing resources to help small businesses recover and thrive. Hennepin County has created an events and resources page for small businesses, featuring up-to-date regional resources and funding opportunities. 

View resources for businesses


📅 May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Month


Now more than ever, it’s important to check in with your friends, family, and neighbors. Remember to check up on your own mental health, too. 


✍ Apply for Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District Board

Help protect and improve water resources. Apply for a vacancy on the Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District Board. 

Watershed districts educate and engage residents, and the work they undertake benefits the quality and quantity of water in local, as well as downstream watersheds and communities.   

Apply at hennepin.us/advisoryboards by Monday, June 21.  


📰 News

Wayzata to join county’s embedded social worker program

Wayzata Emergency Response Vehicles
Photo Credit: Jason Jenkins, Sun Sailor

By Jason Jenkins, Sun Sailor 

The Wayzata Police Department will join several Lake Minnetonka area law enforcement agencies in entering an agreement that will provide a Hennepin County social worker to assist with mental health crisis cases. 

The cooperative agreement, which was approved unanimously during the May 18 Wayzata City Council meeting, will make the city a new member of the county’s mental health case management initiative known as the embedded social worker program. The other police departments in the program include South Lake Minnetonka, Corcoran, Minnetrista, Medina, Orono and Deephaven.

Access the full story, here.


☕ Coffee with Chris – Saturday, June 5 at 10:00 am

Coffee with Chris Image


Join me next Saturday, June 5th for an informal virtual conversation over coffee. Starting at 10:00 am residents can click here to join the virtual meeting. 


About District 6

HC District 6 Map

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent Deephavennorth Eden PrairieEdinaExcelsiorGreenwoodHopkinsLong LakeMinnetonkaMinnetonka Beachnorthern MoundOronoShorewoodSpring ParkTonka BayWayzata and Woodland.


County information


Chris LaTondresse
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886 

Jessica Oaxaca
District Director
612-348-6885

Kyle Olson
Policy Director
612-348-3168