BE IT RESOLVED, that Agreements PR00001331 with Neighborhood Development Center with the amount not to exceed  $125,0000 and PR00001330 with Northside Economic Opportunity Network with the amount not to exceed $125,0000 for the provision of small business technical assistance in the METRO Blue Line Extension Corridor (CP 1002318) during the period August 13, 2019 through August 31, 2021, be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreements on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.

History: Hennepin County accepted a $550,000 Intersections grant (capital project (CP) 1002318) from the McKnight Foundation for strategies that support small businesses, engage community members, provide technical assistance and capacity building around transit oriented development, and activate public spaces along the METRO Blue Line Extension, or Bottineau Corridor (Resolution 17-0218). Hennepin County serves as the fiscal agent for the grant and coordinates activities in partnership with the Bottineau Corridor cities and community partners.

In October 2018, a competitive request for proposals (RFP) was released to provide technical assistance services to small businesses located within one-quarter mile of planned METRO Blue Line Extension stations. Four proposals were received in response, all from minority-led organizations with connections to Bottineau Corridor communities. The RFP allowed for selection of multiple qualified vendors to expand available business support services in corridor communities. Two proposals were selected by a review committee consisting of Hennepin County staff, representatives from Bottineau Corridor cities, and a Southwest Corridor city representative. Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) and Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) were selected due to their significant experience delivering small business technical assistance in coordination with planning and implementation of transit projects. This work, funded by McKnight Foundation, will serve as a match to Federal Transit Administration grant funds currently in use in the Bottineau Corridor.

Current Request: This request seeks approval of Agreements PR00001331 with NDC with the amount not to exceed $125,000 and PR00001330 with NEON with the amount not to exceed $125,000 for the provision of small business technical assistance in the Bottineau Corridor, during the period August 13, 2019 through August 31, 2021.

Impact/Outcomes: Targeted small business technical assistance in the Bottineau Corridor will strengthen small businesses in the near-term, and help businesses maximize the benefits and prepare for potential impacts of the planned METRO Blue Line Extension light rail transit service.