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City releases plans for $7 million aid to support businesses after Operation Metro Surge
The Minneapolis City Council voted to move forward with a plan to help small businesses impacted by Operation Metro Surge.
The $7 million Minneapolis Small Business Resiliency Fund was approved by Mayor Jacob Frey and the City Council in February. The department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) outlined plans for the fund on March 24.
The Resiliency Fund will provide license fee relief, support for events and activations in commercial areas, cultural market grants, and more, all to help businesses recover from the financial impacts of the federal immigration enforcement earlier this year. By City estimates, the Surge cost Minneapolis businesses $81 million in lost revenue. CPED staff designed the fund to get relief to businesses quickly and without too many hurdles.
Funds are divided into two categories: direct financial relief, and activation and marketing support. Both strategies aim to stabilize small businesses and drive customers back to commercial corridors.
Learn more about the Small Business Resiliency Fund
License Fee Relief
Included in the Minneapolis Small Business Resiliency Fund is $4 million in license fee relief for Minneapolis businesses. Eligible businesses have been notified.
The Resiliency Fund will cover the full cost of the 2026 renewal license fees for the following license types:
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Food Licenses
- Food Manufacturer
- Confectionery
- Grocery
- Grocery, Accessory Use
- Meat Market
- Restaurant
- Wine Licenses
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Brewery Licenses
- Taproom, General Entertainment
- Taproom, Limited Entertainment
- Taproom, No Live Entertainment
The Resiliency Fund will cover 50% of the cost of 2026 renewal license fees for the following license types:
- Liquor Licenses
- On sale, General Entertainment
- On sale, Limited Entertainment
- On sale, No Live Entertainment
What this means to the license holder
- You are required to submit your renewal application to stay in good standing.
- If you have not paid your 2026 renewal fee, it will be removed automatically.
- If you have already paid your 2026 renewal fee, you will get a refund.
- It will be issued to the license holder and will come in the form of a check.
- You do not need to take any action to receive a refund, it will be processed automatically. You may be contacted to confirm mailing address.
For any questions about this fee relief, email Business Licensing or call 612-673-2080.
Fee-Free Events 2026
Many public events require one or more permits from the City. In 2026, many of the most common permit types will be covered by the Minneapolis Small Business Resiliency Fund and therefore will be free to the applicant. This is to encourage more activation of commercial districts and to bring people together.
Events taking place April 1 through December 31, 2026, are eligible, subject to available funding. If you already paid for permits for events taking place during this time, you will receive a refund. You do not need to take any action to receive a refund, it will be processed automatically. You may be contacted to confirm mailing address.
Covered permit types include:
Event hosts are still required to submit permit applications, and the normal timelines still apply. Fee-Free Events will not cover late fees. Some events may require permits not listed here. Fees for non-covered permits will still apply.
Ineligible costs
Events have a range of costs not covered by the Fee Free Events 2026 program. In some cases, the City mandates certain services for the safety and well-being of event attendees, such as:
- Security
- Port-a-potty rental
- Barricade rental
- Waste management costs
Meet Minneapolis administers the Minneapolis Community Events Assistance Program on behalf of the City. Non-profit event organizers may apply through this fund with support for these costs.
For more information email the Small Business Team or call them at 612-673-2499.
Resiliency Fund expands existing small business support programs
 The Minneapolis Small Business Resiliency Fund includes allocations to four existing programs:
- Great Streets Business District Support
- Cultural business weeks
- Business Technical Assistance Program
- Cultural market grants
Thanks to monies from the resiliency fund, these programs will offer additional support for small businesses across the city in 2026.
Great Streets Business District Support (BDS): BDS awards money to not-for-profit organizations to enhance the vitality of existing commercial districts in Minneapolis. Thanks to the Minneapolis Small Business Resiliency Fund, we increased the 2026 available funds by $350,000. BDS applications were due March 13. CPED staff is currently evaluating submitted proposals. Funded applicants will be notified in the next few weeks.
Current funding opportunities
Funding is available now for the following programs.
Cultural business weeks
CPED’s Small Business Team is currently accepting proposals to promote Black-owned businesses and to plan and execute events for Black Business Week, scheduled for July 27–Aug. 2. Applications are due Monday, April 27 at 4 p.m. (A separate request for proposals will be issues later in the year for Latino Business Week events)
Business Technical Assistance Program (BTAP)
Funding is available for organizations that can provide consulting services and training for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Both non-profit organizations and for-profit businesses may apply. Proposals from service providers are due by Monday, April 27 by 4 p.m.
Cultural market grants
Cultural Market Small Business Support program will provide grants to cultural mall operators for activities that benefit all tenants and customers, such as security, marketing, and physical improvements and repairs to common interior or exterior spaces. Details about how to apply for the Cultural Market Small Business Support Program will be posted soon at the link below. Applications will be due Wednesday, May 13, by 4 p.m.
Learn more about these opportunities
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