Office of Civil Rights News
MnDOT offers free classes and opportunities for certified small businesses. Develop the necessary business skills and expertise to win MnDOT work.
Small Business Resource Center events
The MnDOT Small Business Resource Center empowers small businesses with the tools, connections and confidence needed for success on MnDOT projects. The following SBRC events are open through January:
Business Elevation workshop – Ahead of the bid: How to find state and local construction work
Join us for a hands-on workshop for small businesses. Learn how to find public construction projects and prepare strong bids. Our speakers will show how to use key tools and websites used by MnDOT and local agencies. If you are new to public contracting, you will gain a clear starting point. If you are currently bidding on projects, you will learn how to plan ahead and better compete. Presenters: Ellie Pflager, Office of State Procurement - Acquisitions Management Specialty Vendor Liaison; Nancy Boeve, MnDOT - Contracts and Lettings Supervisor; Mindy Heinkel, MnDOT - Advancing Equity Director; Elisa Bottos, MnDOT State Aid - Project Delivery Engineer
- Jan. 7, 2026
- 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- MnDOT Shoreview Training and Conference Center, 1900 County Road I West - Room 10, Shoreview (depending on your map, this may read Arden Hills or North Oaks)
- Register for Jan. 7 Ahead of the bid
Social Circle - Marketing ideas swap: Small budget, big impact
Social Circle is a monthly roundtable for business owners and entrepreneurs. Join us in a welcoming space to connect and share experiences. Gain fresh perspectives and make meaningful connections. Walk away with useful insights you can apply to your business. Come with ideas. Leave with inspiration.
Spark Session - Business finance made simple: QuickBooks, cash flow and tax readiness
Take control of your business finances with this hands-on session. Learn how to track income and expenses, manage cash flow, generate reports, and prepare for tax season. Whether you are a beginner or already use QuickBooks, you will strengthen your financial foundation. We will share simple steps, live examples, and easy shortcuts you can use right away. Bring a laptop with the latest version of QuickBooks.
Spark Session - Gather the right 2025 tax documents
Make tax season less stressful and more strategic. In this session, a certified public accountant will walk you through what to prepare, what to watch for, and how to avoid common mistakes. You’ll learn what records to keep, how to organize your expenses, and what counts as deductible. We’ll also touch on how to prepare for an audit and understand depreciation. This session will also guide you on the right business structure for your long-term goals.
MnDOT labor compliance training
AASHTOWare assistance
Meet one-to-one with MnDOT's AASHTOWare expert Kirsten Reyes in a private office on Jan. 19. In person meetings need to be scheduled 48 hours in advance. You may also schedule a virtual meeting at any time.
- Jan. 19, 2026
- 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- MnDOT SBRC, 1461 94th Ln NE, Blaine (inside Rock Leaf Water Environmental)
- To schedule, email Kirsten.Reyes@state.mn.us or call 612-282-2100
Prevailing wage and AASHTOWare/CRL Workshop
This workshop is for contractors, payroll administrators and managers. Learn about prevailing wage and AASHTOWare/CRL which provides an accurate way to meet government reporting requirements. This class is sponsored by the MnDOT Office of Construction and Innovative Contracting, Labor Compliance Unit.
More ways MnDOT helps certified small businesses:
Micro Grants available
Apply for up to $3,500 of financial assistance to increase your business capacity and compete more effectively on MnDOT contracts. Funding is available through April 30, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. Funds are provided as reimbursement for preapproved expenses. For information on eligibility and how to apply, visit the Micro Grant program web page.
One-to-one Small Business Assistance program
One-to-one Small Business Assistance sessions may be virtual or in-person depending on your preference. Our experts are available to assist you in a variety of areas.
Workforce in the construction industry
DBE committee meeting
The DBE committee is part of the DBE and Workforce Collaborative. This committee identifies issues related to building the capacity and sustainability of DBE firms and makes recommendations to MnDOT.
- Jan. 13, 2026
- 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Meet online via Teams. Link will be provided when you register.
- Contact: Marissa Galan
Training
MnDOT has partnered with AIOIC to offer Commercial Drivers License training to individuals.
More information
For more information about MnDOT Office of Civil Rights programs, please visit https://www.dot.state.mn.us/civilrights/index.html
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