GrowingMinneapolis, News from City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development

Growing Minneapolis: News and information from Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development

July 2014

Upcoming Events

Diversity Career Fair - A World of Opportunities

Grow your workforce and recruit job seekers from a variety of backgrounds.

Thursday, August 7

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
Hennepin Technical College

More information


New & Expanding Businesses

Restaurants

Technology

Retail


Taco Tour Attracts 1,500

On Saturday, June 14, more than 1,500 attended the Lake Street Taco Tour – an event that featured the cuisine of 15 authentic Latino restaurants along Lake Street.  The idea for the event came from the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) as a way to promote the East Lake Street Corridor; a diverse area filled with many ethnic restaurants and businesses.  LEDC worked with the City of Minneapolis Great Streets program to fund the event.  UCare and Cycles for Change also promoted the tour. 

View event photos on the Taco Tour site.


Sign-Up for the Mpls Jobseeker Bulletin

The City of Minneapolis Job Seeker Bulletin is a bi-monthly e-newsletter provided to Minneapolis jobseekers, career counselors, and workforce development professionals with information on:

  • the latest job & career fairs, 
  • hiring and training events, 
  • job training programs, 
  • links to job listings, and 
  • tips for jobseekers in today’s ever changing job marketplace.

Learn more.


MN Sees Lowest Employment Rate in Nation

The Twin Cities boasts the best unemployment rate of any large metropolitan area in the United States as a wave of recent hiring boost the local economy.

Job growth across a mix of industries in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area lowered the jobless rate to 4.0 percent in May, edging out Austin, Texas, and Columbus, Ohio, for the nation’s lowest rate, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Tuesday.

Read full StarTribune article.


Construction Industry Adds 3,800 Jobs

The construction industry added 3,800 seasonally adjusted jobs from April to May, according to data released Thursday [June 19] by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

“The long-awaited spring arrival came in May. We had our strongest month so far this year,” crowed Steve Hine, research director of DEED’s Labor Market Information Office.

Read full Finance & Commerce article.


Contact CPED

Crown Roller Mill

Executive Administration
105 Fifth Avenue South #200
Minneapolis, MN 55401

Public Service Center
Development Services'
Customer Service Center
250 South Fourth Street
(Room 300)
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Map and Parking

City Hall
Business Licensing
350 South 5th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Former STEP-UP Participant Mentors Wells Fargo Interns

Champaigne McComb Wells Fargo

Interns placed at Wells Fargo for their work experience with STEP-UP have an extra advantage this summer. Champaigne McComb, a STEP-UP alumnus, will help the new interns learn the ropes at Wells Fargo and mentor them through their work experience. This spring, Champaigne came to the orientations for new STEP-UP interns and helped to provide youth and their families with banking information.

Champaigne worked at Wells Fargo as an intern with STEP-UP in 2012. After graduating from high school, Champaigne was hired at Wells Fargo as a teller in their banking operations. After working as a teller, she moved to a personal banker position, but ultimately liked the customer interaction and variety as a teller. Champaigne is now a lead teller. 


Be The Match Breaks Ground on $60M Headquarters

Be The Match Groundbreak

On July 8th, one of Minnesota’s largest nonprofits, Be The Match, broke ground on a new expanded headquarters in Minneapolis’ North Loop Neighborhood. The ceremony included comments by Dr. Jeffrey Chell, Chief Executive Officer, Be The Match; Christine Fleming, President, Be The Match Foundation; Bill Katter, Executive Vice President; United Properties, Dave St. Peter, President Minnesota Twins; Jim Pohlad, Owner Minnesota Twins; and City of Minneapolis Ward 3 Council Member Jacob Frey. 

Focused on delivering cures through bone marrow and umbilical cord blood transplantation, the demand for Be The Match has grown dramatically.

This new seven-story building with approximately 240,000-square-feet is the largest build-to-suit office to be undertaken in the North Loop, with Target Field, Target Field Station, and Ford Center serving as major catalysts for the expansion of the area. The project team includes developer United Properties, building architect RSP Architects, interior architect Perkins + Will, and general contractor RJM Construction. The City of Minneapolis is serving as the projects pollution remediation grants manager.

Visit Be The Match online


Hennepin County Offers Businesses Grants to Recycle

Last September, Hennepin County began to offer local businesses, nonprofits and institutions grants up to $50,000 to start or improve programs to divert recyclables and organics from the trash. The program was created because the commercial sector currently generates more than half of the total waste in the county – of which nearly two-thirds could be recycled. Having a strong recycling program conserves natural resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, can help your bottom line, and demonstrates your organization’s commitment to sustainability and the community. The next grant deadline is October 15, 2014.

Hennepin County also offers signage, technical assistance and case studies to help business and organizations start or improve recycling programs.

For more information click here or contact Andre Xiong at 612-543-1316.


RENEW Mpls Job Fair at Islamic Center Attracts 200

On June 19, 2014, City of Minneapolis Employment & Training co-hosted a successful hiring and resource event with the Ababukar As-Saddique Islamic Center drawing an estimated 200 jobseekers.  This partnership event was the first of its kind to be held at the Islamic Center and drew most of the jobseekers from the Cedar Riverside neighborhood.  This event brought together over 20 community organizations and local employers, providing a dynamic atmosphere for jobseekers to connect and network with local organizations, City Council representatives, and potential employers. Jobseekers also had an opportunity to hear from a number of speakers including career specialists on training resources and employability strategies. This was the second RENEW Minneapolis Hiring and Resource Event this year in a series of five events.  

More information on RENEW Minneapolis.


Business Spotlight: The Rabbit Hole

Rabbit Hole

Inspired by the intimate Korean dining experiences of the West Coast and New York, Thomas Kim and his wife Kat Melgaard opened The Rabbit Hole Restaurant in The Midtown Global Market last November.  Able to seat up to 150 guests in both group and small private settings like in typical Korean restaurants, The Rabbit Hole restaurant was designed for people to step out of their daily routine and lose themselves far, far away.  Kim designed the menu to introduce a new style of cuisine and of eating: shared dining or family style dining. The result is an offering of global street food mixed with Korean flavors that are easy to share (e.g. Kimchi Pancakes).

While planning their restaurant, the couple received business consulting support from the City of Minneapolis Business Technical Assistance Program (B-TAP) through community-based provider Neighborhood Development Center (NDC).  Through the B-TAP program, they were connected to and approved for a City of Minneapolis Two-Percent Loan for $30,000.  By leveraging these funds, the Rabbit Hole was able to get a $75,000 market rate loan with Highland Bank.  Kim is grateful for the support from the City and said that in his experience the procedure of opening a small business in Minneapolis is very simple compared to Los Angeles.

Visit The Rabbit Hole restaurant online.


Business Spotlight: BWN Music

White Noise

Heard a Subaru commercial lately?  Then you’ve probably heard of, or rather from BWN Music; a growing, full-service music and sound production company based in Minneapolis.  The idea for the firm came in 2002 when now business partners Ken Brahmstedt and Carl White started doing post production audio and music for Highwire, LLC.  In 2006, as the owner of Highwire went on to exciting new things, they went out on their own and incorporated as Brahmstedt White Noise (BWN Music).

Although BWN primarily works with advertising firms, they are happy to work on productions large and small alike. They can mix the audio for a TV commercial, create sound for a YouTube video, or make a simple mnemonic (i.e. audio brand, like the Intel sound).  They provide custom music including writing original scores, instrumentals, and TV jingles. 

BWN has 9 Minneapolis employees and 3 LA employees.  The LA office recruits national business to Minneapolis.  To plan for future growth, the firm closed a $20,000 (market rate) loan with Venture bank and a $20,000 (two-percent interest) loan with the City of Minneapolis on Wednesday, July 2. Ken Brahmstedt says that the key to their success is that they never stop imagining what they can do and focus on building relationships that last.

You can find BWN located at 10 South 5th Street, Suite 1101 or online here. Or, you can see (hear) their work on TV when you watch (listen to) commercials like Subaru.


Toolkit Available for Neighbors of New Construction

Recently, a toolkit was created by the 13th Ward Office and CPED’s Development Services Staff in response to multiple requests from residents who wanted to know their rights when it came to residential construction nearby. The toolkit provides Minneapolis residents with the information they may need when living next to a construction site. 

For example:

  • Who's who when it comes to construction in City government
  • Steps recommended to prepare for construction
  • Handling common construction management issues
  • What to do if you experience problems

View Toolkit online


Seward Community Co-op Celebrates New Store Opening

On Saturday, July 12, 2014, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Seward Community Co-operative will celebrate the groundbreaking of its new South Minneapolis store to be located at the corner of 38th Street and 3rd Avenue. This special event will include notable guest speakers, live music, and, of course, delicious food for attendees.  Remarks and presentations will be provided by U.S. 5th District Congressman Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Council Member Elizabeth Glidden, Minneapolis Council Member Alondra Cano, MN State Senator Jeff Hayden, and Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges. The new store will be called the Friendship Site and it will serve as a full service grocery. Opening is slated for Summer 2015.

Currently, at Seward Co-Op’s 2823 East Franklin Avenue location, hiring is ongoing! Current positions include cashier, wellness clerk, baker, bagger, and more! Applications are available here.  For questions, please contact Marie Larson with City of Minneapolis Employment and Training at 612.673.5292.


Flooding Problems During Recent Rains?

With Minneapolis experiencing a very wet spring and summer, some residents have been dealing with flooding in their basements that may have damaged their possessions. For dealing with flooded basements, water-logged/damaged furniture, carpets and other items, there are options:

Furniture disposal

The City’s solid waste and recycling crews will pick up large furniture items like couches, sofas, and recliners on your recycling or garbage day. Items are also accepted at the South Transfer Station with a voucher. The City’s website has a What-To-Do-List if residents need information about how to dispose of certain items.

Extra Garbage

After the recent heavy rain you may have extra, wet garbage. As part of your regular garbage service:

  • You may place up to two extra garbage bags or boxes of garbage next to your garbage cart.
  • Items must not fall apart or break when crews pick them up.
  • Each bag or box must weigh less than 40 pounds.
  • If you use boxes for extra garbage, these will not be returned.

Debris removal/dumpsters

Some residents may decide to rent a dumpster to get rid of debris and damaged property. If you do rent a dumpster and decide to have it placed on the street in front of your home, you will need a permit. A street use permit is required when placing a dumpster or storage unit in the street or public right-of-way.

Report problems

If you are a renter and find that your landlord is not dealing with problems in your basement, contact 311 or report the problem online.

Remodeling work

If remodeling work is needed in your basement, a permit may be required. Visit the City’s website to learn more about the permitting process.