David Frank Named New Director of City of Minneapolis Economic Policy and Development

Via an April 6 Press Release from the City of Minneapolis:

David Frank Named New Director of City of Minneapolis Economic Policy and Development

Monday, April 6, 2015 (Minneapolis, MN) – Today, City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) Director D. Craig Taylor announced his appointment of David Frank as the new Director of Economic Policy and Development.

“David has been an outstanding and stellar member of our team here at the City for a number of years,” said Mayor Betsy Hodges. “He brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and a shared vision for ensuring all people are contributing to, and benefiting from, our economic development and prosperity. I look forward to his leadership in this new role at the City.”

“I am constantly amazed at the level of talent and commitment we have in our economic development team,” said Council Member Lisa Goodman. “David is proven leader with the right mix of private and public sector development experience to lead this important division at the City.”

As CPED’s Manager of Transit Oriented Development, Frank has managed and coordinated the City’s transit oriented development activities since 2011.  He has played instrumental roles in the City’s efforts to reopen Nicollet at Lake Street, redesign Nicollet Mall, and redevelop the Midtown Farmers Market site while maintaining a focus on advancing the equity and development goals for the City.  Prior to working for the City, Frank served as the Director of Development at Schafer Richardson, Inc.

“David has proven he has a strong understanding of what Minneapolis needs to support investment that grows businesses, jobs and the City’s tax base.  He is excited and committed to working with our great Economic Development team to leverage current and find new resources to achieve these goals,” said D. Craig Taylor Director of Community Planning and Economic Development for the City of Minneapolis. “I am confident that with his 20 plus years of real estate and development experience and excellent track record working across the enterprise and with stakeholders on complex projects, he will do an excellent job.”

As Director of Economic Policy and Development, Frank will manage CPED’s division of Economic Policy and Development which includes the department’s divisions of Business Development, Business Licensing, and Minneapolis Employment and Training.  Some of the key programs run by these divisions include Great Streets, which cultivates and sustains Minneapolis’ commercial districts through systematic programming, the Business Technical Assistance Program (B-TAP), which provides business consulting services to support new business development, retention and growth to small and medium sized businesses, and STEP-UP, Minneapolis’ jobs program for youth ages 14-21.

“I am so pleased to have David Frank step into this role to lead our Economic Development team,” said Council Member Lisa Bender. “David’s experience and vision will help harness the creative energy of our whole community to build on our assets and create a better future for Minneapolis.”

The division of Economic Policy and Development includes a staff of approximately 65.

“I am glad to have this chance to work with our great team on the City’s efforts to grow employment and business development opportunities for everyone in Minneapolis,” said David Frank. 

Frank currently serves on the 2020 Partners Steering Committee, as the President of the North Loop Neighborhood Association and as a Board Member of the Minnesota Fringe Festival.  In 2009, he was appointed by the City Council to serve on the Ballpark Implementation Committee.  Frank also guest lectures at the University of Minnesota and other local organizations on urban design, historic preservation, planning and development issues.