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DEED OSBI Newsletter: December Edition

Updates and Opportunities from Office of Small Business & Innovation

DEED celebrated the season of small business in Crosby, Rochester and Brooklyn Park in December

DEED Celebrates the Season of Small Business

DEED knows that small businesses have a big impact on our state’s economy. From bustling main streets to innovative startups, these businesses are the foundation of our communities, and they deserve to be celebrated.

That’s why we’re continuing to celebrate another year of the Season of Small Business, a statewide effort to spotlight the entrepreneurs and makers who power Minnesota’s economy.

The Office of Small Business and Innovation launched the Season of Small Business in Rochester with a panel discussion and a tour of several local businesses. OSBI also partnered with the City of Brooklyn Park for an event highlighting the city’s thriving small business ecosystem. We concluded the celebration with a walking tour of a half-dozen small businesses in Crosby.

Small businesses make up 99% of Minnesota companies and employ nearly half our workforce. Show your support for entrepreneurs this holiday season by shopping local and spreading the word about their impact!

Minnesota Small Business Call

Join DEED for our next monthly Small Business Call! On January 13 at 2:00 p.m., we’ll engage in a roundtable discussion with several small business owners. It will be valuable to hear their perspectives and to join the conversation.

Learn more

National Small Business Week

As part of National Small Business Week, the SBA highlights the impact of entrepreneurs, small business owners and community members from across the nation. Now is your chance to spotlight your business! Nominations are due by December 22.

Learn more

Preparing for Paid Leave

Starting January 1, 2026, Paid Leave will offer payments and job protections so people can take time off work to care for themselves or their loved ones during some of life’s most important moments.

Employers can prepare by taking these three steps now:

Set up your accounts. You need an employer account and an administrator account to meet your responsibilities under Paid Leave.
- Register for an employer account at uimn.org
- Designate a Paid Leave Administrator in your employer account.
- Create a Paid Leave Administrator Account at paidleave.mn.gov.
Notify employees. You must have notified your employees about Paid Leave by December 1, 2025.
- Hang the Paid Leave workplace poster.
- Provide individual notices to your employees. Sample notices will be available soon.
Prepare your workplace policies. There are other important decisions you can make today to make Paid Leave work best for your organization.
- Explore decisions you can make about premiums, leave policies and more on the Paid Leave website.

More employer resources and updates available here

Questions? Contact DEED's Paid Leave team: 651-556-7777 or paidleave@state.mn.us

Child Care Center Opens in Mapleton with DEED Support

Tiny Roots Child Care, a new licensed child care provider, has opened in Mapleton, expanding access to quality child care for working families and supporting local economic growth. The project was made possible through a $172,120 Child Care Economic Development grant awarded by DEED to the Mapleton Economic Development Authority.

Using a child care house model, the community built a turnkey facility that adds 12 new child care slots. This helps ease the pressure on existing providers while supporting workforce participation and resident retention in a rural community.

MPR has more

Capital for Startups and Small Businesses

Looking for financing to scale your business? DEED offers a variety of programs that can help bridge the gap, including:

Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program: Provides loans to businesses that are owned and operated by minorities, low-income persons, women, veterans or persons with disabilities.
Growth Loan Fund: Direct loans to early-stage businesses working with accredited investors.
Promise Grant: Grants to businesses that have been adversely affected by structural racial discrimination or lack of regional economic diversification.

If you’re a Minnesota-based business looking to grow and scale, check out this tool to explore funding opportunities through the State of Minnesota and partners. It includes funding options from DEED and other state and federal institutions such as the Small Business Administration (SBA).

https://mn.gov/deed/dobusiness/doing-business-here/grow-your-business/capital/

Southeast's Ignite Cup Seeks Applicants

The Ignite Cup, organized by Entrepreneurs First, is looking for innovative companies to apply for its annual startup competition. The event is for businesses located in Southeastern Minnesota and is open to all industries. Participants will present their business to a panel of experts for a chance to win a cash prize and secure other valuable resources. Applications are open until January 31.

Learn more