Stakeholder Engagement

For the CEDS to serve as a living document, it must reflect the perspectives of a wide range of regional economic stakeholders. To ensure this, the CEDS update is guided by a collaborative process that engages stakeholders through three key avenues: a CEDS Committee, expert interviews, and a public hearing.

A key component of the CEDS process is the formation of a CEDS Committee, which informs the development and ongoing updates of the regional economic strategy. This Committee plays a vital role in ensuring the strategy addresses current economic needs and opportunities while identifying a collaborative approach to implementation. To fulfill this role effectively, the Committee should reflect the region’s diversity by including representatives from a wide range of sectors and partners.

As a regional public agency, the Met Council plays a convening role in the CEDS update, bringing together stakeholders to discuss economic development priorities and strategies shaped by their experiences, commitments, and ongoing work with other regional economic development partners.

Organizations Participating in the CEDS Committee:

  • Center for Economic Inclusion
  • City of Bloomington
  • City of Minneapolis 
  • City of Saint Paul
  • Dakota County
  • DEED
  • Great Plains Institute
  • Great River Energy
  • Greater MSP
  • HealthPartners
  • Hennepin County
  • Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated
  • Medical Alley
  • Metro Economic Development Association
  • Minneapolis Downtown Council
  • Minnesota Business Coalition for Racial Equity
  • Minnesota Freight Advisory Committee
  • MN CDFI Coalition
  • MN Technology Association
  • Project for Pride and Living
  • Ramsey County
  • Saint Paul Chamber
  • Saint Paul Port Authority
  • Scott County
  • TC LISC
  • University of Minnesota

In addition to the 26-member CEDS Committee, in-depth interviews will be conducted with 18 to 20 regional experts, who play a vital role in understanding and addressing important aspects of the economy. The experience and expertise of the interviewees include job growth; workforce development and skills; racial inclusion; regional brand and image; talent migration and retention; startups and innovation; transportation and mobility; affordability; and the new climate economy. Information from the interviews will be shared with the CEDS committee and incorporated into the CEDS update.

The CEDS is a report both about and for the Twin Cities region. In addition to stakeholder input gathered during the update process, the public will be invited to review and comment on the draft CEDS report before its formal adoption by the Metropolitan Council in early 2026.

Public input during the anticipated comment period in late fall 2025 is a crucial step in shaping a final document that accurately reflects the strategic direction and priorities of the regional economy.