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The State of Minnesota has a COVID Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) that may offer relief to city residents on past due housing expense balances including mortgage and rent payments, utility bills and more incurred after March 1, 2020. In order to qualify, you must not be eligible for mortgage forbearance and your household income must be at or below 300% of federal poverty guidelines.
Search 2020 federal poverty guidelines online for the amount applicable to your household situation. For more information or to apply for potential relief, visit 211UnitedWay.org, text “MNHOME” to 898-211 or call 800-543-7709. This relief is only available through the end of 2020, so interested households should act quickly.
 Source: 211UnitedWay.org
In his late 50s, Abdi Olusow took a risk that would change his life. He decided to train for a new career in trucking, which would require him to get his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). After completing training and four attempts to pass the CDL without success, he was frustrated and ready to give up. But Abdi enrolled in a Career Pathways program at EMERGE funded by the City of Minneapolis, and had the additional support of his job coach, Dario Tangelson. Dario was able to help him enroll in Mayle Trans Truck Driving School, a school owned by someone from his community and that was able to offer a more culturally supportive training experience. This time, he passed the test. Now, he was ready to start his truck driving career. But something unexpected happened. The training directors at Mayle, valuing his experience and resilience, hired him at their company. Today, he is a Trainer for Mayle assisting other members of his community to successfully obtain their CDL and start a new career.
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In honor of Native American Heritage month, meet a local Native American leader in the culinary field and the co-Director of NATIFS, Native American Traditional Food Systems, Sean Sherman. Sean and his business partner, Dana Thompson, have been working with the City (CPED) on securing locations for their NATIFS non-profit training school for Native chefs as well as their new restaurant, The Sioux Chef. The culinary school will be located in the lower level of the Midtown Global Market and work is currently taking place on the build-out there. The Sioux Chef restaurant at the Minneapolis Water Works park location is set to open in 2021. |
Sean Sherman and Dana Thompson
A broad coalition of government agencies, nonprofit and philanthropic partners are currently operating the largest and safest emergency shelter system that has ever existed in Hennepin County as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These collective efforts have thus far allowed us to avoid the devastating impacts COVID-19 has had on people experiencing homelessness in other cities.
Partners are also working to open new spaces that meet the individual needs of people sleeping outside before the end of the year, and to make permanent improvements to ensure COVID-19 safety guidelines continue to be met at existing and new shelter spaces.
By the end of 2020, partners, including the City, County, State and philanthropy, plan to invest $55 million to open at least seven sites to provide emergency shelter, low-barrier housing and protective housing for people experiencing homelessness, as well as enhance existing shelters and expand support services and street outreach. An additional 670 units of very affordable housing designated for people experiencing homelessness will have opened or begun construction by the end of this year.
More information
The Dislocated Worker Program offers free career planning and job search services to workers that lose their job through no fault of their own. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Dislocated Worker programs have continued to serve people in need. Employment counselors are engaging with customers through email, phone calls, video and text. People are being connected to Dislocated Worker services through CareerForcemn.com and Minnesotaworks.net.
The majority of currently enrolled people in training have been able to access classes online and for those that are looking for work, the City continues to help with job search activities such as resume review and interview skills coaching. If you know of someone who has been laid off due to no fault of their own, they can also call: 651-539-4421 or 952-417-2108 to be connected to a program counselor.
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In celebration of Manufacturing Month, twenty Minneapolis Transitions Plus high school students participated in Youth Manufacturing Day on October 27. The virtual event kicked off with an H&B Elevators company tour narrated by company CEO Jashan Eison. The tour featured a “behind the scenes” look at the growing, local company producing world-class elevator cabs. The students enjoyed learning about the company’s roots in Minneapolis, its evolution and growth. Students were impressed with the company’s work on the Minnesota State Capital building’s elevator cab. Mr. Eison provided information on careers at his company, including entry-level roles and on-the-job training opportunities. Several students reported they plan to apply for open positions in the near future.
Students then had the opportunity to assemble a mini elevator cab kit, which had been delivered in advance to their homes. Kits were fabricated at H&B Elevators and are miniature replicas of full-size products. Students followed a YouTube assembly video, created by H&B Elevators, along with a set of blueprints.
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Winter Farmers Markets
November – April (select Saturdays)
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Farmers markets are thriving cultural and economic assets that support health and prosperity for all our communities and vendors.
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Minneapolis Area Virtual Diversity Job Fair
Tuesday, November 17, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Online Event
If you are looking for a new job or the opportunity to explore career options for yourself, register for the upcoming Job Fair. This is a multi-profession, multi-industry virtual event. Job seekers can view details about each hiring company and their job openings and have the opportunity to connect live with hiring managers and recruiters via text chat or video. Avoid spending valuable time submitting resumes with no response. This is your opportunity to maximize your job search efforts from the comfort and safety of your own home.
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Black Friday on Broadway
Friday, November 27, 2:00 p.m. – Saturday, November 28, 4:00 p.m.
Sanctuary Covenant Church
2018 Aldrich Ave North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
In a time where the majority of activity has been moved to virtual spaces, the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) and the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition (WBC) is excited to present Black Friday on Broadway (BFOB) as the holiday season approaches. Black Friday on Broadway is a 2-day shopping experience, featuring 30 local entrepreneurs. While shopping with local small businesses on West Broadway you will find the latest fashion, art, beauty products and more. It’s the perfect place to shop local and keep your dollar within the community when shopping for gifts for the whole family.
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New/Expanding Businesses
Food/Beverage
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Coworking Space
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Retail
Service
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Spyhouse Coffee owner offers to sell shops to workers pushing for union
Read in the StarTribune
Union Hmong Kitchen Begins Residency in Republic
Read in the Mpls St. Paul
'Ghost kitchens' and 'virtual food halls' might be the next frontier in Twin Cities dining
Read in the Star Tribune
How African Development Center's Nasibu Sareva guides immigrant entrepreneurs to prosperity
Read in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
Houston White's Dream for Camdentown
Read in Mpls St. Paul
Bookstore and Beacon: Owners of Moon Palace Books granted the Midwest Bookseller of the Year award
Read in the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association
Rebuilding funds from UnitedHealth begins to flow to businesses in Minneapolis, St. Paul
Read in the StarTribune
Long-awaited development approved for commercial property on Fremont Avenue
Read in North News
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