RentHelpMN available soon
 If you have experienced hardship due to the pandemic and need help paying your rent or utility bills, you may be eligible for COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance.
Eligible Minneapolis renters can receive help with rent and utility bills dated on or after March 13, 2020. If you qualify, you could receive up to 15 months total assistance.
Get ready by downloading this checklist to see if you are eligible and find out what documents you will need to be ready when the program opens for applications later this month.
RentHelpMN is a collaborative effort between the City of Minneapolis and other local and state governments across Minnesota to provide emergency rental assistance to Minneapolis households and households across the state through one joint application process.
Message to Community Groups:
The communities you serve will soon have access to COVID-19 vaccines. The Minneapolis Health Department is committed to supporting your work to educate community members about the vaccines and address common questions and concerns.
The Minneapolis Health Department will provide a speaker to give a virtual presentation about vaccines and getting vaccinated for your group or organization.
If you would like a presentation, please fill out the request a community presentation form. We will contact you to schedule the presentation.
Request a community presentation - English Form
Request a community presentation - Spanish Form
Request a community presentation - Hmong Form
Request a community presentation - Somali Form
Visit the Vaccination Hub webpage
 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's (DEED) Employment Outlook projects a high demand for IT professionals in our state through 2028, and beyond. The median hourly wage for IT careers is $42.71/hour, more than $20/hour higher than all other occupations in our state. Two April Tech Month Interactive Career events will feature growing opportunities in the Metro Region, and are now open for registration.
April 22, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. CST, is the state’s Tech Sector conversation, “Get Skilled for a New Career in IT” | Sign up to receive reminders
April 27, from 7:30 – 10 a.m. CST, interact with employers at the Metro Region Interactive Virtual Technology Career Fair. This event kicks off with a keynote address from Jeff Tollefson, President and CEO of the MN Technology Association. From 8:15 – 10:00 a.m., guests are welcome to meet, chat and interview live with recruiters and hiring managers.
Create a Career Fair Profile
More information on April Tech Month
 Step Up has over 1,000 Minneapolis young people participating in the annual Work Readiness Training. This year’s training features an all virtual experience. Training objectives include how to interview and land a job, professional communication, workplace expectations, and career exploration. Young people will have an opportunity to create a professional resume; have a deeper understanding of their skills and interests; and get on-track to earn academic credit for their learning.
Step Up wants to make sure we have a job for each one! Over 70 companies across the Minneapolis-St. Paul region have already committed to hiring interns this summer, and we need more supporters to come on board to meet our ambitious growth goals. Commit to hiring a Step Up intern by submitting your pledge!
 The Houston White Men’s Room expansion project at 1500 44th Ave N broke ground in March 2021. The owner and developer of the project, Houston White, is renovating and expanding his mixed-use building to better operate a barbershop, retail store and coffee shop under a partnership with Dogwood Coffee Co.
The City is supporting the project, with a $400,000 loan from the City’s new Commercial Property Development Fund (CPDF). This project meets many of the program's priorities, including rehabilitation of an existing commercial building located in an economically challenged community and promoting ownership of property by a small business owner. This project will build his financial capacity and development experience to pursue other projects in the future. The expanded shop is expected to be completed by early summer.
 Hired, a longtime Minneapolis Employment and Training community partner, was recently named Youth Provider of the Year for their work on the Minneapolis Journey Forward program, a project funded by the City of Minneapolis. Journey Forward assists young people who are identified as gang or cliqued involved with barrier elimination to employment and education. Journey Forward Coaches also support participants with pre-employment training, attaining vital documentation, and stable housing.
In addition to their work with Journey Forward, Hired was quick to adapt services and continue to support our community during COVID. Some highlights of their work in 2020 include:
- Transitioning its Medical Call Center Career Pathway training to all-online and celebrating 28 graduates from its first two virtual cohorts.
- Providing 125+ computers to help individuals complete training and search for job opportunities online.
- Offering career services to help 6,333 people prepare for employment.
- Assisting 2,133 people in securing employment at an average wage of $20.73/hour
- Providing $499,056 to help with rent, utilities, groceries, and other essential needs for more than 1,200 families.
Events
Thinking About Business (TAB)
Every 3rd Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Are you thinking about starting a business? Join every 3rd Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for this free Thinking About Business (TAB) Workshop. Once you attend the workshop, you'll be able to fill out an application and schedule a one-on-one meeting with a NEON Business Advisor. They will walk you through some business basics and brainstorm how to turn your idea into a reality. You will connect with an expert business advisor and learn how to create a business plan.
More Information
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NBL: Planning Zoning & Development: BLRT, Northside Development Updates
Thursday, April 15 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Northside Economic Opportunity Network and West Broadway Business & Area Coalition will be hosting their Northside Business Luncheon virtually. This month's topic is "Planning Zoning & Development: BLRT, Northside Development Updates." Panelists will give updates on both the Blue Line Extension as well as upcoming Northside developments,
More Information
New/Expanding Businesses
Food/Beverage
Service
Arts
Retail
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Lake Street Council fund supports small health care businesses in south Minneapolis
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Minneapolis restaurants offer takeout food without a side of guilt for using wasteful containers
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Minneapolis officials want to offer $1 million in forgivable loans to businesses inside George Floyd Square
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Ingebretsen’s celebrates 100 years
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