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Saint Paul recognizes winners of the 7th annual Business Awards

Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Saint Paul Business Awards!

These awards acknowledge and celebrate local businesses that offer essential services, actively engage and support the community, make investments in their workforce, and demonstrate a strong commitment to upholding the values of equity and diversity in Saint Paul.

Businesses were selected based on nominations from the community. This year's winners and runners-up are:

• Conny's Creamy Cone (197 North Dale Street) received with the Traditions Award, which honors a business that has been active in Saint Paul for at least twenty years. (Runner-up: Nelson Cheese and Deli Como)
  
  
• Dabbler Depot (1545 7th Street) won the Good Neighbor Award, honoring a business that shows a dedication to improving the community. (Runner-up: Nanny's Jamaican Restaurant LLC)
  
  
• InControl (370 Wabasha Street North) took home the Alice O’Brien Award, honoring a women-owned business that is committed to equity and empowerment. (Runner-up: Hot Grainz)
  
  
• Swede Hollow Café (725 7th Street East) won the People’s Choice Award, honoring a business that is recognized for its excellence by Saint Paul residents. (Runner-up: Papa Legba Lounge)
  
  
• Wildflyer Coffee (1362 7th Street West) received the New Kid on the Block Award, honoring a business that has opened in Saint Paul within the last five years. (Runner-up: Weird Ink Society)

Check out the video that celebrates this year's winners and watch for information on the 2024 Business Awards next summer.

Top Row: Conny's Creamy Cone, Dabbler Depot; Bottom Row: InControl, Swede Hollow Café, Wildflyer Coffee

Mandalay Kitchen Is Opening With Burmese Cuisine — And a Chapli Juicy Lucy — in Frogtown
(Eater Twin Cities | October 30, 2023)

St. Paul woman creates custom Crocs to show 'your soul on your soles'
(KARE| November 2, 2023)

Resources for Businesses

Promise Act Grants and Loans coming January 2024

The Providing Resources & Opportunity & Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs (PROMISE) Grant and Loan Programs are new, state-funded programs that will provide grants and loans to disadvantaged small businesses located in certain areas of Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) will administer the PROMISE Grant program and the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) will administer the PROMISE Loan program, alongside community partner organizations. Stay tuned to future newsletters for details on the application process and how you can receive help with your application. 

Ramsey County launches Inclusive Employer Toolkit

Attention Saint Paul employers! The new Inclusive Employer Toolkit is now available to help businesses build diverse and inclusive workplaces. Find resources that you can use to build diversity, equity, and inclusion into all areas of the employee life cycle, from recruitment, hiring, and onboarding to retention.

CERT Vendor Program

Calling all small Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE), small Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE) and Emerging Small Business Enterprises (ESBE)! The City of Saint Paul is committed to helping small businesses grow and thrive. Learn more about the CERT Certification Program, register your business or support local businesses in the Central CERT Directory today.

Earned Sick and Safe Time updates

The City of Saint Paul aligned its Earned Sick and Safe Time ordinance with the Minnesota state statute, effective January 1, 2024. Staff is currently revising the Administrative Rules document and will open a 30-day public comment period for feedback on our website.

In addition, staff is available to provide training for all business sizes in Saint Paul once the new ordinance is in effect. Please contact laborstandards@ci.stpaul.mn.us with any questions and/or to schedule a training today.

Tech guide for restaurants seeking low cost technology upgrades

Full Stack Saint Paul hired NCXT consultants to research and review technology options for local restaurants looking to improve their delivery, digital marketing, point of sale and reservation solutions. View the guide now and learn how to reach more customers and improve operations by leveraging the latest restaurant technology and building the right tech stack for your local business.

Access financial and technical support from the City of Saint Paul

The City of Saint Paul offers a variety of financial and technical assistance resources to support small businesses throughout the year. Please see our current list of financial and technical resources. If you would like business resource support from our team, the first step is to submit an Intake Form. Get connected today to learn more about what programs can help you reach your business goals!

Funding and consultation to provide reasonable accommodations

DEED’s new Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) offers a way for small to mid-sized Minnesota employers to request reimbursement for expenses related to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants and employees with disabilities. In addition, the ERAF Coordinator is available for technical assistance and consultation regarding accommodations at no cost to employers. 

Upcoming events

DEED Small Business Call

Tuesday, November 14
2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Virtual event

Join the conversation on the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Small Business Call every month on the 2nd Tuesday at 2 p.m. The topic for November will be the upcoming new Paid Family Medical Leave Program. The majority of the time will be used for small business owners and entrepreneurs to have a conversation with partners and peers.

SBA Women Certification Webinar

Wednesday, November 15
9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Virtual event

Find support and success through women-owned certification. Join the Minnesota Small Business Administration (SBA) Office, WomenVenture, Women’s Business Alliance Central, Women’s Business Alliance North and APEX Accelerator for a FREE engaging presentation highlighting the practical, real-world experiences of women who have pursued certification.

Grow Your Small Business with Google Ads

Thursday, November 16
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Roseville Library

Drive more customers to your website with purposeful, investment-wise search engine marketing! This FREE workshop from SCORE Twin Cities will help you improve your website traffic with Google Ads (AdWords), retarget ads, display ads and YouTube video marketing.

SBA Small Business Week Office Hours

Thursday, November 16
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Virtual event

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is now accepting nominations for its 2024 National Small Business Week (NSBW) Awards, including the Small Business Person of the Year and local Minnesota awards. At this office hour, you will hear tips on submitting a complete, award-winning package, receive a walk-through of the website and have an opportunity to ask questions.

Successful Employer Training (S.E.T.) Virtual Session

Friday, November 17
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Virtual event

Don't miss this FREE supervisory training for all Ramsey County businesses! Learn how to invest into young employees, help cultivate a positive work environment and the necessary tools to make employing youth successful. 

Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 25
All day

Small Business Saturday is a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for the community. Check out these FREE Small Business Saturday marketing materials (including sample posters and social media resources) and be sure to add your business to the Shop Small map.

How To Create A Marketing Plan For Your Small Business

Thursday, November 30
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Virtual event

In this FREE SCORE webinar, professional marketing coach and expert Patty Ross will help you create a marketing plan, define your brand, determine your audience and find where to advertise to get a positive return on investment. Attendees will receive free business resources and a link to this webinar recording.

Introduction to Sales and Use Tax Course

Tuesday, December 5
1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Virtual event

This FREE course from the Minnesota Department of Revenue is an introduction to sales and use taxes in Minnesota. The purpose of the training is to provide the sales and use tax basics, including fundamental elements, local taxes, exemption certificates, record-keeping, filing and payment instructions and contact information.

Achieve It! Workshop

Wednesday, December 13
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Neighborhood Development Center

Achieve It! helps entrepreneurs learn how to set better business goals, take charge of your goals, and tie personal financial goals with your business. Class participants will be able to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs in this FREE interactive workshop. Achieve It! offers the opportunity to take your business vision and goals and turn them into tangible tasks that are realistic with your personal life and business operations.

stpaul.gov/ped
stpaul.gov/business-resources
@SaintPaulPED on Twitter

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