Economic & Community Development

{BP24} Benchmarks & Community Engagement

  • Adopt outcome measures for GreenStep and other city sustainability efforts, and engage community members in ongoing education, discussion, and campaigns

Actions Taken

Hopkins currently compiles this information every 10 years in its Comprehensive Plan. The City will be looking into a system to report annual progress to community members. Hopkins records all green activity on the City's website. There is also a GreenStep Cities poster located in the lobby of City Hall. View the Comprehensive Plan Page.

{BP25} Green Business Development

  • Document the use of assistance programs for green business and job development

Actions Taken

The City of Hopkins’ Housing and Redevelopment Authority has awarded multiple sites clean up money for development such as:

  • Cargill / Excelsior Crossing
  • Hopkins Business Center
  • Hopkins Honda
  • LA Fitness

{BP26} Renewable Energy

  • Enable collaboration for installed private sector renewable energy / energy efficient generation capacity

Actions Taken

With a Solar Energy Legacy Grant from the DNR, the Depot Coffee House has installed solar panels on the roof, which had lead to great educational opportunities and raised community awareness about alternative energy and sustainability.

{BP27} Local Food

  • Strengthen local food and fiber production and access

Actions Taken

The Hopkins Farmers’ Market features: 

  • Annual plants
  • Bakery items
  • Bread
  • Crafts
  • Flowers
  • Fruits
  • Handmade soaps
  • Herb cookbooks
  • Herbs
  • Honey
  • Jams and jellies
  • Jewelry
  • Kettle corn
  • Meat
  • Minnesota grown vegetables
  • Pet toys
  • Poultry
  • Snacks

For more information, view the Hopkins Farmers’ Market Page.

Hopkins high school and elementary schools also have gardens. The City of Hopkins also provides a community garden site area in Valley Park, where residents can rent a 20 foot by 20 foot garden plot for the season. There are also gardens at the elementary schools and high schools. View the Family Garden Page to learn more.