In this edition of Minneapolis Promise Zone Updates:
- Come Visit Us at the Community Connections Conference this Saturday!
- Potential New Community Development Program to be Implemented
- Minnesota Joint Disparity Study Recently Released
- Progress Made Towards Creating Jobs on the Northside
- 927 West Broadway Request for Proposal
- Domestic Violence Advocate Request for Proposals
- Earn a Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Employment and Training Grants - Request for Proposals
- Minnesota Pathways to Prosperity Competitive Grant
- Governor's Housing Task Force and Work Group February Meetings
- Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota
- Apply to be on Metropolitan Council's Equity Advisory Committee
- Promise Zone Preference Points
- About the Minneapolis Promise Zone
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Come Visit Us at the Community Connections Conference this Saturday!
Check out the Promise Zone's workshop (All About the Benjamins: Tips for Community Orgs Seeking Government Funds) on how to secure federal funding this Saturday at the 7th annual Community Connections Conference.
All About the Benjamins: Tips for Community Orgs Seeking Government Funds
Is your organization interested in City and federal funding opportunities? This learning lab will cover search engines for funding and address misconceptions about the rigor of applying for government funds. This lab will conclude with resources that the Promise Zone can offer community organizations and a questions and answers segment. Community organizations, concerned citizens and small business won't want to miss it. Workshop goes from 10:30 to 11:45 in room 101 E.
7th Annual Community Connections Conference
The Community Connections Conference is a free event with exciting workshops, speakers, panels and a delicious catered lunch. The conference will build collaborations between neighborhoods, cultural communities, residents and the City. Don't worry about cost of transportation if you fill out a brief survey Metro Transit will issue you a free bus/light rail pass. Follow this link to take the survey.
When: Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis
Register now at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-connections-conference-2018-tickets-41218142574
More Information
 Potential New Community Development Program to be Implemented by Minnesota Governor
Opportunity Zones are a new community development program established by Congress in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to encourage long-term investments in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide. The Opportunity Zones program provides a tax incentive for investors to re-invest their unrealized capital gains into Opportunity Funds that are dedicated to investing into Opportunity Zones designated by the chief executives of every U.S. state and territory. Read more below about how the Opportunity Zones program works, as well as its history and community of supporters.
What are Opportunity Zones? This program uses low-income community census tracts as the basis for determining areas eligible for Opportunity Zone designation. The chief executives of every U.S. state and territory have 90-120 days from December 22, 2017 to designate up to 25 percent of the total number of low-income census tracts in a state as Opportunity Zones. Read more about the role governors will play in the implementation of the program.
EIG is in the process of organizing a broad coalition of organizations working together to ensure successful implementation of the Opportunity Zones program. If you are interested in learning more or becoming a part of the coalition, please contact info@eig.org.
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 Minnesota Joint Disparity Study Recently Released
The 2017 Minnesota Joint Disparity Study examines whether there is a level playing field for
minority- and women-owned firms in the Minnesota marketplace and in public procurement.
Keen Independent Research LLC (Keen Independent) performed the study for the City of
Minneapolis and eight other state and local government entities. The City can use study results when
making decisions about programs to assist minority- and women-owned companies and other small
businesses.
The City operates the Small and Underutilized Business Program (SUBP) and other programs to
encourage participation of minority- and women-owned firms and other small businesses in its
contracts. The study analyzes whether the City’s programs are effective in eliminating any disparities
in the utilization of minority- and women-owned businesses (MBEs and WBEs) in its contracts.
This report is a draft released for public input, including comments received at public forums to be
held in February 2017. The Executive Summary includes:
A. Background on the study;
B. Disparity Study research activities;
C. Quantitative and qualitative information for the Twin Cities marketplace;
D. Disparity analysis;
E. Recommendations; and
F. Public participation in the Disparity Study.
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 Progress Made Towards Creating Jobs on the Northside
The Northside Job Creation Team (NJCT) held it’s bimonthly meeting
at Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) this past Tuesday,
January 30th. Residents of North Minneapolis have struggled to
obtain employment due to a systemic deficit of living-wage jobs and large
employment disparity on the Northside. Therefore NJCT, in collaboration with
business owners and community leaders, has committed to attracting 1,000
sustainable-wage jobs to North Minneapolis by 2019. At the January 30th
NJCT meeting, stakeholders discussed the recent implementation of a task force
plan with five focus areas: workforce, entrepreneurship, executive team,
transition, and business park/big fish.
The
workforce task force will focus on supporting
NJCT partner businesses in their recruitment and training needs, and convening a
forum to research major barriers, policies and practices that hinder effective
recruitment and placement. The business park/big fish task force will
advocate and support the creation of a North Minneapolis Business Park enabling
large, established businesses to relocate/expand into North Minneapolis. The executive team will provide overall direction to the NJCT meetings and support the work of the task forces. The transition team will secure continued funding for the NJCT, including the project director and research projects, while creating a sustainable transition plan and partner engagement strategy. It is still to be determined the specific tasks of the entrepreneurship task force.The Minneapolis Promise Zone's HUD liason, Jacob Akervik, is on the business park/big fish task force and Julianne Leerssen, Minneapolis Promise Zone Manager, is on the entrepreneurship task force. If you are interested in becoming a partner in NJCT's work contact James DeSota at the Urban Research and Outreach Center.
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 927 West Broadway Request For Proposals
The City of Minneapolis, through its Department of Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED), is seeking redevelopment proposals for a commercial building located at 927 West Broadway along with three (3) vacant lots located at 1828, 1832 and 1838 Dupont Avenue N. Redevelopment Proposals are also being sought for a commercial building located at 1001 West Broadway. Proposals are due no later than 4:00 p.m., Friday, March 23, 2018.
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Domestic Violence Advocate Request For Proposals
It is the intention of the City of Minneapolis to solicit proposals for domestic violence advocacy services to work with the Domestic Assault Unit of the Minneapolis Police Department and the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office as part of Minneapolis’s coordinated community response to domestic violence.
Request for Proposal
Submission Deadline
The deadline for the submission of application is 4:00 P.M. (Minneapolis Time), February 16, 2018. The agency shall submit an electronic copy of their proposals to the City of Minneapolis Procurement Office via email at: RFP.Responses@minneapolismn.gov
Earn a Google IT Support Professional Certificate
Tech training and good job opportunities should be accessible to everyone. That’s why Google is providing full financial assistance for qualified US residents through coursera.
You must apply by February 20th, 2018 to be eligible for assistance. After completing your application, you’ll be notified about a decision within one week’s time. Upon receipt of award, learners have 14 days to enroll and will have access to the program through May 8th, 2019. Seats are limited.
To qualify for financial assistance, applicants must reside in the United States of America and its territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa), be 18 years of age or older, and must complete the full application demonstrating financial need.
More Information
 Employment and Training Programs (ETP) - Request for Proposals
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is requesting proposals for the purpose of:
As Minnesota continues to diversify, ETP requires training materials to meet the needs of our changing demographics, particularly when it comes to language. DEED needs to hire a consultant to produce a series of training videos in different languages, which would be available online and at the statewide network of WorkForce Centers. These videos would inform job seekers of available training and employment programs, how to enroll, who to contact, and where to get their questions answered. The videos would also serve as a launch point to our new statewide brand roll-out.
Work is anticipated to start soon after final selection of a vendor, which is anticipated to occur in February 2018.
Submittal Process and Due Date
Proposals submitted in response to the Request for Proposals in this advertisement must be received through the Minnesota state procurement system (SWIFT) no later than February 12, 2018 at 1:52 p.m. CST. Late proposals will not be considered. Mailed, emailed or faxed proposals will not be considered.
Minnesota Pathways to Prosperity Competitive Grant
Request for Proposals
The Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) is requesting proposals from qualified organizations for the Minnesota Pathways to Prosperity Competitive Grant. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2018.
Application Process and Request for Proposals (RFP)
Please find the Request for Proposals below, outlining the specific requirements of all proposals.
Submittal Process and Due Date
An emailed proposal to AdultCompetitiveGrants.DEED@state.mn.us consisting of one Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file containing all required proposal components must be received at DEED no later than 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2018 (no faxes accepted).
Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding the Request for Proposals or grant process, contact Ed Seel, 651-259-7595. Responses to questions will be posted throughout the grant application process as new questions come in.
Governor's Housing Task Force and Work Group February Meetings
Housing Stability and Opportunity Work Group
Mon, February 12, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Lake Superior Room of Minnesota Housing Suite 400, 400 Wabasha St. N., Saint Paul
Homeownership Work Group
Wed, February 14, 1-4 p.m.
Lake Superior Room of Minnesota Housing Suite 400, 400 Wabasha St. N., Saint Paul
Rental Housing Working Group
Tues, February 20, 10 a.m. -1 p.m.
Location: TBD
2nd Housing Task Force Meeting
Wed, February 21, 9 a.m. -2 p.m.
Sunrise Banks, 2525 Wabash Ave., Saint Paul
Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota
Interested in understanding the intricacies of starting a businesses? The 2018 edition of "A Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota" is now available from the Small Business Assistance Office at DEED. This popular guide, which is in its 36th edition and free of charge, provides a concise summary of the major issues faced by anyone starting a business in Minnesota.
Free copies can be obtained in hard copy or on CD-ROM from the Small Business Assistance Office, First National Bank Building, 332 Minnesota St., Suite #200, Saint Paul, MN. This guide can also found on the DEED website.
 Apply to be on Metropolitan Council's Equity Advisory Committee
Eleven spots are open on the Council’s Equity Advisory Committee, which advises the Metropolitan Council in its work to advance equity in the metropolitan region. In forming the Equity Advisory Committee (EAC) in October 2015, the Metropolitan Council affirmed its commitment in Thrive MSP 2040 to ensure that residents and communities are full partners in making the decisions that affect them.
The committee has 21 members – including members of the community and the Metropolitan Council. There are eight district representatives and nine at-large members. The co-chairs include one member of the Metropolitan Council and one community representative. Members serve four-year terms. See COUNCIL DISTRICTS DESCRIPTIONS AND MAP.
Open seats
- District A - includes communities in northern Hennepin County and a small portion of southern Anoka County (Council Districts 1 and 2), to fill out the remainder of the term which expires in January 2020.
- District H – the southern three-quarters of Dakota County and southeastern Scott County (Council Districts 15 and 16), to fill out the remainder of the term which expires in January 2020.
- Nine at-large member, to serve 4-year terms which expire in January 2022.
How to apply
To apply, fill out the online application. (Some committees may also require applicants to answer supplemental questions.) For more information, or to submit your application through PDF, contact the Appointments Coordinator by email, U.S. mail or phone: 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, 55101 or 651-602-1806.
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News
Events
Frederick Knight Lecture on Black Generational Politics in Early America
Thu, February 8, 3:30 p.m.
University of Minnesota, 1210 Heller Hall
"Sights, Sounds, Soul" Author Event
Sat, February 10, 2-3 p.m.
Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall
Panel and Discussion: A Good Time for the Truth
Tues, February 13, 6-9 p.m.
Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd W., Saint Paul
Joint Procurement Meeting hosted by Xcel Energy
Thu, February 15, 2-4 p.m.
Xcel Energy General Office, 401 Nicollett Mall, Minneapolis
Affordable Housing Community Forum
Thu, February 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
UROC, 2001 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis
The Scott Collection & African American Life
Tues, February 20, 7 -8 p.m.
Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul
Small Business Legal Series: Construction Issues for Contractors and Subcontractors
Wed, February 21, 6-7 p.m.
Northside Economic Opportunity Network, 1007 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis
2018 African Heritage Day on The Hill
Tues, February 27, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard., Saint Paul
Promise Zone
Preference Points
If a discretionary funding opportunity indicates Promise Zone
(PZ) preference points are available, please visit http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/promisezone/WCMSP-190631
for additional information on forms and contacts to request preference point
certification from the City of Minneapolis Promise Zone. Please submit your preference point request at least two weeks prior to the application deadline for Promise Zone certification approval consideration.
If a funding
opportunity does not indicate PZ preference points, you are still encouraged to
contact the Promise Zone Manager, Julianne Leerssen
(612-225-7721), about potential partnership opportunities to strengthen your
application.
About the Minneapolis Promise Zone
Promise Zones are federally designated, high poverty communities where the federal government partners with local leaders to increase economic activity, improve educational opportunities, and leverage private investment. The Minneapolis Promise Zone (MPZ) plan is a comprehensive, community-driven revitalization strategy that builds on and aligns numerous initiatives to address the persistent unemployment, crime, housing blight, and poor educational outcomes that affect that area.
Contact information: Juli Leerssen, (612) 225-7721
For more information, please visit www.minneapolismn.gov/promisezone
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For reasonable accommodations, alternative formats, or to add content please contact Jennifer Melin at Jennifer.Melin@minneapolismn.gov or by phone: 651-308-9782. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000.
TTY users can call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626.
Para asistencia 612-673-2700, Yog xav tau kev pab, hu 612-673-2800, Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500.
"Welcome to North Minneapolis" mural by youth artists from Juxtaposition Arts and TATS CRU
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