County commissioners heard from Lori Higgins of the Metro North Chamber about the National Civics Bee, a nonpartisan competition organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation that arrived in Minnesota for the first time this year. Commissioner Meisner introduced the item and encouraged county promotion.

"It is free to enter, and the grand prize is $100,000," Commissioner Meisner said, noting that any Minnesota sixth-, seventh- or eighth-grader can apply by Tuesday, Feb. 3. Higgins described the Bee’s structure: students submit a short essay linking a community improvement idea to a founding principle or civic virtue; regionals will be held in the spring and winners advance to state and national rounds.

Higgins said the program began in 2022 and has expanded from five states to about 40. She asked commissioners to help get the word out to teachers, families and youth groups and highlighted that the competition is open to public, private and homeschool students.

Commissioner Judson asked whether the program is planned as an annual event; Higgins said the organizers "hope so." Commissioners offered general support and encouragement for county promotion and outreach.

Next steps recorded in the meeting: county staff and commissioners were asked to share information through their networks; no formal county funding or policy action on the Bee was recorded in the transcript.