IV.7. Resolution Supporting Application to Hennepin County's Business District Initiative Grant Program; Gallagher
CITY OF HOPKINS
City Council Report 2026-030
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Sam Gallagher, Associate Planner
Date: March 16, 2026
Subject: Resolution Supporting Hennepin County Business District Initiative Grant
Application
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO Approve Resolution 2026-013 Supporting an Application to Hennepin
County’s Business District Initiative Grant Program.
OVERVIEW
To apply to the Hennepin County Business District Initiative Grant Program, the City
Council needs to approve a resolution of support.
Business District Initiative Program
Hennepin County’s Business District Initiative (BDI) program bolsters city efforts to
invigorate small business districts, main streets, and cultural corridors. The BDI offers
funding assistance for strategies that enhance the economic vitality of these priority
areas in suburban municipalities. BDI program priorities are to:
• Enhance compact, walkable environments and improve accessibility and safety
for bike and pedestrian alternatives to driving
• Create a vibrant sense of place with an inviting public realm
• Highlight local community assets, including those that reflect the diverse values,
culture, and heritage of the people who live and work there
• Support economic vitality, job creation, and equitable access to economic
opportunity
• Build connections with locally-owned, independent small business ecosystem
Suburban cities and development authorities within Hennepin County are eligible to
apply for BDI grants. BDI grants can fund projects such as district-wide marketing or
branding efforts, placemaking and/or public realm enhancements to strengthen
community identity and enhance walkability, technical assistance across the business
district, and business recruitment for commercial corridors, such as downtown Hopkins
and neighborhood business nodes such as those located in South Hopkins . Hennepin
County typically offers up to $200,000 between their Planning Grants and Business
District Initiative programs.
Planning & Economic
Development
City of Hopkins Grant Application
The City proposes using grant funds to create a robust wayfinding system of signs that
highlight destinations and facilities near the three Green Line Extension Light Rail
Transit Stations (Blake Road, Mainstreet and Shady Oak) and the adjacent trail
network. Wayfinding enables people to easily identify destinations and decision points
along and near designated transit stations, and walking, rolling or biking rou tes. The
signage will focus on the business district destinations on the Blake Road Corridor,
Mainstreet, and in South Hopkins with cohesive city branding, amenity icons and design
that strengthens station area identity. The proposed wayfinding signage will serve as an
important reference for Hopkins business districts adjacent to station areas, many of
which are small, locally owned, and/or disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE)
businesses, to draw foot traffic from regional transit station area investments. A third-
party consultant would work with staff to design and install wayfinding signage. A local
match is encouraged but not required and is considered in the application evaluation.
The City proposes to use staff time for the local match.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
• Resolution 2026-013
• Hennepin County Business District Initiative Program webpage
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2026-013
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING APPLICATION TO HENNEPIN COUNTY’S BUSINESS
DISTRICT INITIATIVE GRANT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, Hennepin County is soliciting applications to their Business District
Initiative Grant Program to bolster city efforts to invigorate small business districts, main
streets, and cultural corridors; and
WHEREAS, Hennepin County has approximately $200,000 available in grant funding
between the Business District Initiative and Planning Grant programs for 202 6; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins is a municipality within Hennepin County, and is
therefore eligible to apply for funds under the Business District Initiative Program; and
WHEREAS, the City Council reaffirmed the goals of supporting a vibrant business
community and promoting Hopkins as a destination in 2026; and
WHEREAS, the City has the institutional, managerial and financial capability to ensure
adequate project and grant administration; and
WHEREAS, the City certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
as stated in the contract grant agreements.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Hopkins
hereby authorizes the City Manager and/or his designee to submit an application for
Hennepin County Business District initiative grant funds and execute such agreements
as may be necessary to implement the project on behalf of the City.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 16th day of March, 2026.
By:___________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk