Services Economic Development
The CDA - Center for Entrepreneurship is where growth begins!
With great schools and a blend of small-town charm and big-city opportunities, it’s easy to see why Scott County is growing so quickly. Businesses of all sizes have recognized this, making us home to their companies and expanding their existing workforces, right here at home.
Known as the Center for Entrepreneurship, our economic development team provides programs and consulting services to those that seek to establish or grow their business in our county. Whatever it is you’re looking for, we’ll help you find it — right here in Scott County.
2022 Statistics
59,015
Number of Jobs in Scott County
(MN DEED QCEW Annual)
87,460
Scott County Labor Force Estimate
(MN DEED 2022 Annual)
4,204
Increase in jobs 2019-2022 (7.7%)
(MN DEED QCEW -Annual)
2.9%
Scott County Unemployment Rate
(Jan. 2024)
3,846
Business Establishments
$3,401,237,179
Total Industry Payroll
Business Incentives & Programs
Our team can help you find capital and resources that can take your business to the next level by…
Unlocking local, state, and federal support such as:
Grants
Tax incentives
Workforce development
Retention programs
Assistance to develop streets and roads or other infrastructure needs.
Start your search by clicking below to view a list of programs.
Upcoming Education Events for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Featured Programs
Center for Entrepreneurship
The Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) is the centralized hub for entrepreneur and small business resources in Scott County! Conveniently located in Shakopee off Hwy 169, the CFE is part of the Dean Lakes Education Center campus and offers unique partnerships, resources, mentoring, support programs, and networking opportunities for emerging businesses.
NextStage for Entrepreneurs
Flourishing economies need a range of business types and sizes, and we realize starting and growing a small business isn’t easy! We brought the NextStage for Entrepreneurs program to Scott County as a collaboration between the CDA and NextStage to offer tailored technical assistance based on different stages of business growth, helping local businesses solidify their future potential.
CEO Next
Developed in partnership with Hennepin, Carver, Dakota, and Ramsey counties and the Edward Lowe Foundation, this cohort-based program supports second-stage businesses. Participants benefit from peer-to-peer roundtables and learning opportunities as well as time with dedicated research specialists on topics such as market trends, understanding competitors, and finding potential customers.
Economic Development Contacts
For questions related to Scott County economic development programs, property search assistance, etc., please contact:
Joanne (Jo) Foust – Business Development Director
jfoust@scottcda.org or 952-496-8830
Michael Werneke – Business Development Manager
mwerneke@scottcda.org or 952-395-5122
Scott County Major Employers
Scott County has a blend of everything from start-up and locally-owned businesses as well as Fortune 500 employers, such as Amazon and Shutterfly. With diverse industries such as health care, gaming and entertainment, and retail fulfillment, we got it all.
Click here to view a list of major employers.
Available Land & Development Opportunities
Our cities have a number of development and redevelopment opportunities throughout our county. Many of these cities have prioritized land and space that will help Scott County communities, providing a catalyst for growth and creating jobs for our citizens.
Click here to view available land