Local Government Innovation Awards

Minnesota faces the reality of an aging population, rising health care costs, and an increasing demand for government services with reduced revenue.  Yet many counties, cities, and schools have refused to let the traditional approaches of either increasing taxes or cutting spending exclusively dictate their responses to these challenges. Instead, they are pursuing a third way: innovation and service redesign.

The Local Government Innovation Awards recognizes the creative ways counties, cities, and schools are making Minnesota better and doing things differently.  In keeping with previous years, up to 18 local government entities were recognized as award winners for their innovative work.  But there’s also a twist.  This year, Minnesotans cast their vote to help determine the entrant that received $25,000 to continue local government innovation and redesign work! Congrats to Mounds View Public Schools on receiving the $25,000 grant! And- there's more. Both of this year's runners received such overwhelming support that the Bush Foundation decided to grant them each $10,000. Congrats to all 18 Award winners, and a special congratulations to the three finalists: Dakota County, the City of Saint Paul, and Mounds View Public Schools.