Business Assistance Fund

Business Assistance Fund is sponsored by City of Saint Paul. The Business Assistance Fund provides financing to new and existing businesses in Saint Paul that need capital to improve and/or grow. Tier 1 offers forgivable loans for businesses with annual revenues under $500,000 and total project costs under $50,000.

Business Resources | Saint Paul Minnesota Connect with the Business Resources Team Not sure where to start? Fill out our Business Assistance Intake Form. Whether you are looking for financial support or other resources, the intake form will help our team match you with the right programs.

Our Business Resources team will review the form and follow up with you directly. You can also email us at businessresources@ci. stpaul.

mn. us . Submit a Business Assistance Intake Form Our Business Resources and Support Saint Paul is a vibrant city and a fantastic place to do business.

The Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED) provides a variety of financial and technical support. We help businesses of any size start, grow, and thrive across all neighborhoods of Saint Paul. Our Business Resources Team can work with you to find resources that meet your needs and set your business up for success.

We offer: Connection with City departments and other agencies Funding application assistance Permitting and licensing support Site and building plan review Submit a Business Assistance Intake Form Resources for Businesses Impacted by 'Operation Metro Surge' Community, Legal, Business, and Food Resources Neighborhood STAR: Awards grants and loans for capital improvement projects.

Businesses and nonprofits can apply for funding through the annual competitive application process. Awards range from $5,000 to $200,000 though typically awards are $50,000 or less. Cultural STAR: Promotes economic growth by supporting arts and culture.

Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, along with businesses located within the City’s cultural district, can apply for grants during the annual competitive application process. Awards typically range from $5,000 to $50,000. Discover the STAR Program Sponsorship for Regional and State Grants The City of Saint Paul sponsors applications for grants from the Metropolitan Council and the State of Minnesota.

We strongly support efforts to reinvest and strengthen neighborhoods and commercial areas, bringing needed regional and state funding to local development projects. These grants can fund brownfields investigation and cleanup, transit-oriented development, design and development, and nonprofit and housing projects.

Explore Regional and State Grants BizRecycling, a public program of Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy, provides grants for businesses to reduce waste and improve recycling. Five different grants are available to help you improve efficiency and make a difference by reducing, reusing, and recycling.

Visit BizRecycling for Grant Information The Business Assistance Fund provides financing to new and existing businesses that have a need for capital to improve and/or grow their business. New and existing for-profit businesses located within Saint Paul are eligible to apply.

Learn More About the Business Assistance Fund The Downtown Vitality Fund is a $5 million fund that financially assists housing and economic development projects that positively impact downtown through Saint Paul through the development of additional affordable housing units and activation of vibrant commercial spaces.

Learn More About the Downtown Vitality Fund Marketing, Promotion, and Events Connect with Visit Saint Paul Visit Saint Paul is the City's official convention and visitors bureau. They can help you network, showcase your business to visitors, and connect with event coordinators and attendees. Reach out to Visit Saint Paul to learn how to promote your business, and be a part of events happening in Saint Paul.

Photo credit: Sheldon Powell. Explore Visit Saint Paul's Website Submit an Event to Visit Saint Paul's Calendar Invite the Mayor to an Event You can invite the Mayor to anevent for your business, including a ribbon cutting or anniversary celebration. Complete the online form below to submit a request to the Mayor's Office.

Please send all invites at least three weeks in advance. Send an Invite to the Mayor Grow Your Business with Local, County, and State Resources Saint Paul businesses can take advantage of local, county, and state-led programs designed to support, connect, and grow businesses. Government Contracts and Procurement Every day, the City of Saint Paul buys goods and services from businesses large and small.

Register your business as a Saint Paul supplier, find opportunities to do business with the City, and submit bids or proposals. Register as a supplier for the City of Saint Paul. Explore opportunities to do business with the City.

The CERT program connects small, local, and historically disadvantaged businesses to opportunities. Local and Neighborhood Support The City of Saint Paul supports local organizations with business and community engagement. Our Commercial Corridor Organization Assistance Program (C-COAP) provides funding for business assistance along specific corridors.

Saint Paul is also home to a network of district councils. These independent neighborhood organizations represent the City's 17 planning districts. District councils provide local opportunities to network and find support resources.

Support for Commercial Corridors Check to see if your business is along a Commercial Corridor Program corridor, and learn more about available support. Connect With Your District Council Find your District Council to learn how they serve your neighborhood, and interact with your local community. View our directory of nonprofit and community organizations ready to help your business succeed.

Ramsey County Economic Development Resources Ramsey County offers several no-cost programs for local small businesses and growing companies. To contact the county's Community and Economic Development (CED) department, call 651-266-8010 or submit an online form. Support for Emerging Small Business Owners Apply for the CEO Now program.

This no-cost group learning opportunity supports emerging small business owners. Business Institute for Growing Companies Apply for the CEO Next Business Institute. This no-cost program focuses on helping growing companies make a larger impact.

Ramsey County's Workforce Solutions program provides staffing-related support for growing businesses. Statewide Networking and Assistance The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development offers assistance and networking opportunities for business owners statewide. To get engaged and learn more from DEED’s Small Business Assistance Office: Phone: 651-556-8425 or 800-310-8323 Email: smallbusiness@state.

mn. us Online Form: Small Business Assistance Intake and Order Form Meet Other Small Business Owners Connect with fellow small business owners at a monthly Small Business Call. Network and Learn with Launch Minnesota Check out local networking groups and learning opportunities for startups and small businesses.

Find Additional Resources View an interactive map of statewide organizations providing entrepreneur, startup, and small business support. Connect with a Small Business Development Center The state's development centers offer no-cost consulting and training to help small businesses succeed.

Explore Federal Support Services The Minnesota office of the Small Business Administration (SBA) provides local support for businesses to access SBA services. Learn About Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Regulations Each City department plays a role in supporting local business. From street maintenance to licensing to labor standards, learn how our teams partner with businesses and workers in Saint Paul.

Do you have a public safety or security concern? There are several ways to contact the Saint Paul Police Department, including a dedicated form to report properties near you that have ongoing issues. If there's an emergency, call 911.

If there is a non-emergency, call the Saint Paul Police non-emergency line at 651-291-1111. File a Police Report Online For many types of crime, you can submit a police report immediately online. Fill out our online form to report properties near you that pose ongoing maintenance or security concerns.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Explore ways to increase safety through the planning and design of your site. Street Maintenance and Construction Saint Paul Public Works is responsible for constructing and maintaining Saint Paul's public infrastructure. Stay up to date on upcoming construction projects, report a street maintenance concern, or get information on snow removal and more.

Get Street Maintenance Information Learn more about street maintenance, including sweeping and snow removal. Email Us to Report a Pothole You can also report any street maintenance issue by calling 651-266-9700. View Upcoming Construction Projects Use our interactive map to view upcoming, current, and completed construction projects.

The Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) supports local businesses in building and maintaining a safe, healthy, and thriving local community. They oversee most permitting, licensing, and inspections. The department can also assist business owners with some safety concerns, including unshoveled sidewalks or overgrown lawns on nearby properties.

Access PAULIE for Permitting, Licensing, and More PAULIE is the City’s one-stop shop for licensing, permitting, inspections, and complaints. Visit PAULIE to explore business licenses, apply for a permit, or submit your construction plans We can help with a range of concerns and questions, from graffiti to unshoveled sidewalks.

Learn About State Food Licensing Food-related businesses, including restaurants, grocery stores, breweries and more, must be licensed by the state. Learn about the City's zoning, including important considerations when planning construction. The Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) works to make the City of Saint Paul fair and equitable.

HREEO investigates discrimination, supports accommodations, enforces labor standards laws, and manages contracts and purchases. View Local Wage and Sick Time Requirements Ensure you meet the City’s Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST), Minimum Wage, and Wage Theft ordinances. View the City's Human Rights Ordinance The City prohibits employment discrimination and harassment based on protected classes.

Email: BusinessResources@ci. stpaul. mn.

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