All Things Considered

Hennepin County ends Operation Metro Surge business relief fund amid fraud concerns

Person speaks into mic
Jeffrey Lunde, a Hennepin County commissioner, speaks during an April 2023 news conference.
Matt Sepic | MPR News

The Small Business Recovery Fund is a $2 million Hennepin County program launched in March to help small businesses recover from losses during Operation Metro Surge. But the fund is shutting down after the county flagged nearly two-thirds of the applications for fraud.

MPR News host Clay Masters spoke with Jeffrey Lunde, a Hennepin County commissioner, about the more than 200 applications flagged for potential fraud and what impact the shutdown means for legitimate businesses.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.