Today, Mayor Jacob Frey nominated Erik Hansen for the role of Director of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED). Hansen has served as the City’s interim CPED Director since June 2023. Prior to that, Hansen worked as the CPED Director of Economic Policy & Development for five years and spent 12 years as a Principal Policy Coordinator for CPED.
Most recently as the City’s Director of Economic Policy & Development, Hansen has helped design and implement the City’s Ownership and Opportunity Fund, an extraordinarily successful vehicle for increasing Black and brown business and real estate ownership. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and aftermath of the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd, Hansen spearheaded economic recovery work and steered millions in emergency relief funds to residents and small businesses most impacted in Minneapolis.
Hansen has established himself as a collaborative leader throughout crises, managing a team of committed City staff at CPED. He has also doubled down on the City’s commitment to promote equitable and inclusive growth by expanding housing opportunities and support for small businesses, including providing opportunities for skill building and living wage employment.
“Erik’s commitment to public service is simply beyond reproach,” said Frey. “Over the past five years, Erik has led the City’s inclusive economic development work – helping small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest. When you have a critical project like Upper Harbor Terminal on the Northside or the New Nicollet Reconstruction on the Southside, Erik is at the forefront of the work. He understands what makes CPED valuable to our local government, and that is the people of Minneapolis and the people in the department. I’m grateful for his willingness to continue serving the City of Minneapolis and look forward to the work ahead.”
“The opportunity to lead this complex department of extraordinary professionals united in support of the people of Minneapolis is an honor,” Hansen said. “CPED will continue its commitment to inclusive economic recovery that expands opportunities for everyone to have a safe place to live, a good job, a vibrant city, and to fully participate in the economy regardless of your neighborhood.”
Prior to coming back to the City, Hansen served for over three years as the Economic Development & Housing Director for the City of Brooklyn Park, one of the most diverse cities in Minnesota. In that role, he oversaw tax base stabilization and growth through neighborhood preservation, housing programs, redevelopment, workforce development, and real estate activities.
Between 2003 and 2015, Hansen worked as a Principal Project Coordinator for CPED where he helped create the City’s Great Streets Program and oversaw underwriting for major commercial development projects in underserved areas. Specifically, Hansen guided real estate development, retail recruitment, and a business retention and expansion strategy for manufacturing and industry. He managed focused commercial real estate and small business support projects on the Northside and in Cedar-Riverside – including implementing a commercial and retail program successfully closing $1.9 million in loans into projects with development costs exceeding $24 million.
Beyond expansive economic development work, Hansen has served the Minneapolis community in a variety of other capacities throughout his career. He has served as an election judge for the past 17 years, was on the Minneapolis Bicycle Advisory Committee for 10 years, and worked for various Minneapolis neighborhood organizations at the beginning of his public service career.
Hansen graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in Economics and a Master of Public Policy degree. Additionally, he holds certifications from the American Institute of Certified Planners and Economic Development Finance Professionals.
The mayor’s nomination was submitted to the full City Council for consideration and referral to the relevant committee.