Item Description:
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Neg Agmt A2512759 with Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, 02/15/25-12/31/25, (recv) $23,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Executive Director be authorized to negotiate Agreement A2512759 with Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (RCHRA) for participation in the CEO Now program serving established, growth-minded businesses in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties during the period February 15, 2025 through December 31, 2025, in the receivable amount up to $23,000; that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Chair be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the Authority; and that the Controller be authorized to accept and disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
CEO Now is Hennepin County’s trademarked brand for a business support program that represents a core component of Hennepin County’s inclusive economic growth strategy: building out a spectrum of targeted programming for businesses at every stage of growth. CEO Now provides support to established small businesses that are beyond the proof-of-concept phase, are scalable, and are actively seeking increased revenue and profitability.
CEO Now provides a seven-month facilitated cohort-based learning program focused on the strategic and technical foundations of running a business more efficiently and strategically, and tackling challenges associated with the early stages of growing a business.
In March 2024, Hennepin County authorized Agreement PR00004899 between the county and the Ramsey County HRA, enabling Ramsey County HRA to contribute to Hennepin County’s costs for the CEO Now program, and for use of Hennepin County’s proprietary branding, promotional materials, and associated administrative costs. Under this prior agreement, Ramsey County HRA contributed $46,000 toward an additional cohort of CEO Now that served both Hennepin and Ramsey County businesses in 2024. The Hennepin County board has transferred operation of the CEO Now program to the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA) and the HCHRA is authorized to enter into a new agreement with the Ramsey County HRA under applicable laws.
Since 2023, 53 Hennepin County business owners and 5 Ramsey County business owners have participated in CEO Now, retaining over 299 jobs. Feedback from business participants has been consistently positive, and several businesses have shared transformative success stories since graduating from the program.
Agreement A2512759 with Ramsey County HRA would enable continued collaboration in the CEO Now program and provide for the contribution of up to $23,000 toward program costs.
Current request: This request is for authorization to negotiate Agreement A2512759 with Ramsey County HRA to participate in the CEO Now program during the period February 15, 2025 through December 31, 2025 with a receivable amount up to $23,000.
Impact/Outcomes: Authorization of this request will provide cost-sharing and regional collaboration in business support programming that will serve an estimated 14-20 small businesses in Hennepin and Ramsey counties.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval