 You can now register early for the 2024 City of Minneapolis Community Connections Conference.
The conference is a free event that connects Minneapolis residents, community groups, neighborhoods and local government. The conference is open to everyone and will run together with the 2024 Green Zone Summit for environmental justice.
Our conference theme will be “Open city, your Minneapolis.” This year, we want to focus on making Minneapolis a transparent, accessible city that is open to everyone, open to new ideas and open for business.
We will highlight the ways you can get involved in both government decision-making and your local community. We will also celebrate the many parts of city that are reopening and recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community Connections Conference
Saturday, Feb.17
9 – 10 a.m., registration and exhibit hall opens
10 a.m. – 4 p.m., conference programming
Minneapolis Convention Center, first floor, Hall E
Register online for the conference.
You can also register in person on conference day in several languages
Spread the word
You can help us spread the word about the conference by sharing these resources:
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Conference exhibitor application deadline extended
 We have extended the deadline to apply for a booth space in the Community Connections Conference exhibit hall.
Apply for your space by midnight Jan. 15.
As an exhibitor, you can share information, resources and opportunities with conference guests. We are especially looking for informative, fun, interactive exhibits for both children and adults. Exhibit space is free for nonprofits and public institutions, and organizers will also provide booth spaces for conference partners.
Run for a neighborhood representative seat on the NRP Policy Board
In 2023, the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) Policy Board, which oversees the program and approves neighborhood plan changes, increased it's neighborhood representation.
On Feb. 17, 2024, Minneapolis neighborhood organizations will elect eight people to the board to serve a two-year term.
This board meets every three months. It also includes several representatives from local government and public institutions. Read more about the board on the NRP webpage.
The NRP Policy Board election will take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center, during the Community Connections Conference. Neighborhood organizations can also vote early by email.
Information sessions
Learn more about NRP Policy Board elections.
Starting Jan. 2, 2024, community organizations, groups and individuals can apply for funding for small-scale, meaningful projects to make Minneapolis communities more socially connected, healthy and safe. The projects will also need to work with one of the City’s 70 neighborhood organizations.
Previous community projects have included youth mentorships, emergency preparedness, public events, garden infrastructure, civic leadership development, entrepreneurship training, addressing health disparities, employment support, youth peace building, corridor development, resources for unsheltered neighbors, community building, youth media and storytelling, arts programming and placemaking.
Read more about the Partnership Engagement Fund.
Interested in applying?
Join one of the upcoming online information sessions to learn more about the program and how to apply.
We will record the information sessions.
If you have any questions or need accommodations to attend, email PartnershipFund@minneapolismn.gov or text (612) 321-8649.
Community reviewers needed
If you are not applying for funding, you can be part of the team that reviews Partnership Engagement Fund applications.
Sign up to be a community reviewer.
Pictured: Photo from Apoyo a Emergencias, a 2023 project that gave emergency response training in Spanish.
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Please join NCR in welcoming the City of Minneapolis' new language access coordinator, Pa Dao Yang. As coordinator, Pa Dao will work to make City programs and services accessible for limited English speaking residents.
Prior to joining NCR, she was at the City of Bloomington in the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging as an equity coordinator. She has a background in higher education, where her roles supported first generation and low-income students and students of color. She also previously sat on the Board of Directors for the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent and Minnesota Education Equity Partnership.
Pa Dao has lived in North Minneapolis most her life, and for fun, she enjoys traveling, trying new foods, jogging and spending time with family and friends.
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The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) is hosting community office hours in January, providing basic information on topics including immigration legal services, shelter resources, healthcare and more.
Office hours
Stop by South Minneapolis CareerForce, 777 E. Lake St. at these times:
- Monday, Jan. 8, 1-4 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2-5 p.m.
- Monday, Jan. 22, 1-4 p.m.
- Monday, Jan. 29, 1-4 p.m.
Learn more on the City website or contact OIRA director Michelle Rivero by email or by calling 612-394-6018.
 On Dec. 7, City Council passed an honorary resolution in recognition of Human Rights Day and International Migrants Day.
Human Rights Day, Dec. 10, 2023, marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a crucial international agreement that recognizes the rights we all have as human beings.
International Migrants Day, Dec. 18, recognizes the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and their Families, showing the connection between migration and basic human rights.
Watch the presentation on the City of Minneapolis YouTube channel.
Read the resolution.
Immigration 101
In addition to the honorary resolution, the City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs co-hosted an information session about immigration basics along with the City of St. Paul Immigrant and Refugee program.
This information session includes immigration experts from the University of St. Thomas Law School and the Advocates for Human Rights giving an overview of different types of immigration status.
Watch the Immigration 101 recording.
Radio and TV show schedule
The City of Minneapolis shares important news and updates in English, Spanish, Somali, Oromo and Hmong over community radio stations and two television programs.
You can see the upcoming schedule for these shows and find past recordings on the City website.
The Minneapolis Convention Center is hiring guest services ambassadors. Apply online.
Public Works is hiring service workers, trainees and interns. Apply online and learn about Public Works training pathways.
Find other City of Minneapolis job openings at www.minneapolismn.gov/jobs
Share feedback with the Mayor's Office about outreach and engagement
As we move into the new year, the Mayor's Office is taking a look at how they can serve community member needs better through direct outreach and engagement. Your feedback will shape future initiatives to improve community engagement.
You can share your ideas by filling out a brief survey.
Transportation funding – show your priorities
How would you invest in regional transportation? The Metropolitan Council and the Transportation Advisory Board would like to know how you’d distribute funding for transportation projects. Your responses will help inform the Transportation Advisory Board as it considers projects this spring.
Use this tool to build your budget and learn more about the funding categories. The budget exercise will be open through Jan. 31.
Projects focus on results such as moving more people more effectively, managing congestion and improving air quality.
Listening session on Met Council governance
A task force convened by the Legislature invites the public to testify Jan. 5 about the Met Council’s governance structure. This includes input about whether its board should remain solely governor-appointed or whether other options such as an elected board or council of governments structure should be considered instead.
Public testimony on Metropolitan Council governance
Noon Friday, Jan. 5
University of Minnesota's Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) 2001 Plymouth Ave. N.
If you would like to give testimony at the meeting, please sign up.
Find more information on the Minnesota Legislature website.
Help rethink Interstate 94
The Minnesota Department of Transportation wants to hear from people who live along I-94 between Minneapolis and Saint Paul. And those who commute through the area or work or visit a business there. Not to mention those who deliver packages, frequent one of its entertainment or sports venues, or drive freight around the country.
Their stories will help show how the community uses the “Rethinking I-94” corridor. The feedback will also help show how the alternatives for I-94 may affect people’s travel. Some people will be contacted for more information. Their stories will be shared (with permission) with the public.
You can learn more and submit your story on the MnDOT website.
Presentations scheduled for independent evaluator proposals for Department of Human Rights settlement agreement
Three teams will publicly present how they would, if chosen, evaluate and report on the City’s compliance with its settlement agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The selected independent evaluator will also provide technical assistance on things like policy and training development.
The three teams are:
Community sessions
- 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs (Cowles Auditorium), 301 19th Ave. S.
- 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 Plymouth Congregational Church, 1919 LaSalle Ave.
Read more about the presenters and next steps on the City website.
 Sign up now for a free two-day training to help make you more confident, prepared and secure in a natural or human-caused disaster.
In Ready Camp, you’ll learn about:
- Making an emergency preparedness kit.
- Emergency alerts.
- Severe weather.
- Planning for medical needs.
- Staying in contact with your family.
- Protecting your pets.
You will also learn ways to store water and emergency food supplies, create first aid and survival kits, make a list of affordable and recommended emergency items, and get examples of equipment and devices that can help in surviving a disaster.
Ready Camp will feature industry experts related to the fields of safety, health and wellness, and emergency preparedness. Food will be provided at no cost.
Plan to join both sessions:
Free two-day Ready Camp
4:45 p.m.-8 p.m. Jan. 23-24.
Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall.
Register online.
Park activities for school break
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has plenty of activities for your child during Minneapolis Public Schools’ release days. Check out indoor activities, outdoor adventure, field trips and camps.
Recreation centers are open noon-9 p.m. on school release days. All recreation centers and program facilities are closed Jan. 1, 2024.
Besides programs and events offered annually, each recreation center has amenities to socialize and have fun when it’s convenient for you. Choose fun from Ping-Pong to foosball, games in the gym and board games.
Find more information on the Park Board website.
Find January events and activities on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board website.
Minimum wage increases to $15.57 Jan. 1 for large employers in Minneapolis
In 2024, the minimum wage across the city of Minneapolis will rise to $15.57. First, on January 1, 2024, larger employers (more than 100 employees) and franchises start paying at least $15.57.
Next, on July 1, 2024, all other employers (100 or fewer employees) reach the same required minimum wage of $15.57. Find more information on the City’s website or email minwage@minneapolismn.gov.
Also in 2024, the State of Minnesota earned sick and safe time law is expanding paid sick leave protection to employees all across the state. It requires paid sick or equivalent leave (just like in Minneapolis) to be provided by all employers (of all sizes) to their employees. For more information, visit the MN Department of Labor and Industry’s website. Investment in people grows businesses and healthier communities.
No cost and risk-free (amnesty) compliance assistance for employers is available by contacting the Civil Rights Department at sicktimeinfo@minneapolismn.gov or through free business legal advice provided by the City’s business technical assistance program.
Climate legacy funds awarded
The City of Minneapolis has awarded the first round of funding for the new Climate Legacy Initiative. The initiative is Mayor Jacob Frey’s innovative plan to fund the City’s accelerated, equitable and aggressive climate goals over the next 10 years. The Climate Legacy Initiative will:
- Reduce utility bills.
- Increase green jobs.
- Plant more trees.
- Help Minneapolis become carbon neutral by 2050.
The City has opened up contracts with more than 20 community organizations, allowing them to get funding and services through the initiatives in areas of the city that need it most.
The initiative funds the City’s Climate Equity Plan. The plan maps out climate work over the next decade. It sets a goal for Minneapolis to significantly reduce climate pollution by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2050. It also includes plans to weatherize all homes, reduce utility bills, promote green job training, and plant more trees.
Complete funding for the initiative will come from a variety of sources. These include gas and electric utility fees. For the typical Minneapolis household, the franchise fee increase will cost $12 more a year, or $1 a month, on average. This funding will go directly back to the ratepayers to lower energy bills, make energy efficiency improvements and more.
Read more about the Climate Legacy Initiative and the first round of funding awards on the City website.
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