Item Description:
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Neg 15 Elevate Hennepin Agmts, 10/01/24-01/31/25, total combined NTE $280,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Executive Director be authorized to negotiate Agreements:
• PR00006769 with Ahmed Mohidin LLC,
• PR00006770 with A.M. & Associates LLC,
• PR00006771 with Backpocket Strategy,
• PR00006772 with Certified Access LLC,
• PR00006773 with Davis Law Office PLLC,
• PR00006774 with EnviroTech,
• PR00006775 with Hortensia PLLC,
• PR00006776 with IFRI-TRYV,
• PR00006777 with JLLB Media,
• PR00006778 with Khoo Consulting LLC,
• PR00006779 with Led By Truth,
• PR00006780 with LegalCORPS,
• PR00006781 with Social Impact Strategies Group LLC,
• PR00006782 with Technologist Computers SBC, and
• PR00006783 with Women Venture;
All during the period of October 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025, with a total combined not to exceed amount of $280,000; that following review and approval by the County Attorney's Office, the Chair be authorized to sign the agreements on behalf of the Authority; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
Hennepin County created Elevate Hennepin in 2020 as an agile response to the needs of local businesses struggling to manage through, and recover from, the pandemic. This leading-edge work uncovered an urgent, ongoing need for highly specialized business support, as well as a desire for a single, credible online resource for vetted information, connections to experts, access to capital, and focused business training.
Over the past four years, Hennepin County has invested in professional service contracts with more than 40 specialized business advisors to form the Elevate Hennepin Business Advisor network, offering a new level of support to emerging and existing local businesses.
Currently, eligible emerging entrepreneurs and established business in Hennepin County can access up to 25 hours of consulting from each of the 40 advisors in the county’s Elevate Hennepin network, as well as participate in events and intensive cohort-based peer learning programs designed for every stage of business growth.
By absorbing the cost of these traditionally expensive services and training opportunities, Elevate Hennepin removes barriers to entrepreneurship and addresses structural inequities faced by business owners who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, and women, in starting and growing a successful business in Minnesota.
To-date, Business Advisors have included for-profit as well as non-profit accountants, marketing firms, technology experts, and others. Hennepin County promotes Elevate Hennepin Business Advisors through Hennepin County’s outreach, including the Elevate Hennepin Resource Hub platform, the Hennepin County Economic Development website, a bi-weekly digital newsletter, and via other communications and media channels identified in coordination with Hennepin County.
More than 2,900 entrepreneurs from across Hennepin County’s urban and rural communities have utilized more than 35,000 hours of 1:1 consulting. Local businesses have accessed over $28.4 million in outside financing and 186 new businesses have launched with the support of Elevate Hennepin advisors. Hundreds more businesses and their owners have accessed group training under the Elevate Hennepin umbrella of services to validate ideas, build systems, achieve certifications and tackle the many challenges of running and growing business.
Elevate Hennepin programming will transition to the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA) in 2025. The transition to the HCHRA provides consistency with the administration of other business support programs, such as CEO Next and Open to Business.
To ease this transition and provide continuity of service to the business community, staff recommends the HCHRA enter into professional service agreements with several current Elevate Hennepin business consultants during the period October 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025:
• PR00006769 Ahmed Mohidin LLC
• PR00006770 A.M & Associates LLC
• PR00006771 Backpocket Strategy
• PR00006772 Certified Access LLC
• P000006773 Davis Law Office PLLC
• PR00006774 EnviroTech
• PR00006775 Hortensia PLLC
• PR00006776 IFRI-TRYV
• PR00006777 JLLB Media
• PR00006778 Khoo Consulting LLC
• PR00006779 Led By Truth
• PR00006780 LegalCORPS
• PR00006781 Social Impact Strategies Group LLC
• PR00006782 Technologist Computers SBC
• PR00006783 Women Venture
Current Request: This request is for the authorization to negotiate 15 Elevate Hennepin professional service agreements to provide specialized business consulting effective October 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025 to ensure continuity of service.
Impact/Outcomes: Authorization of these agreements will provide specialized consulting, technical assistance, and back-office support for over 150 small and disadvantaged businesses through continuity of service with Elevate Hennepin consultants.
Income Domain Disparity: Specialized consulting and technical assistance offered through Hennepin County’s Elevate Hennepin efforts help address racial gaps in business ownership. To-date, 59% of entrepreneurs and business owners accessing small business consulting, 65% of those accessing financing, and 73% of those starting a business with support from Elevate Hennepin identify as Black, Asian, Hispanic/LatinX, Indigenous, or multi-racial.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval