 Past Ascend Twin Cities cohort (photo credit: Meda/Ascend Twin Cities)
Join the Ascend Twin Cities 2024 Cohort
Ascend Twin Cities develops businesses owned by Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Applications are now open for the 2024 Cohort, which offers offers valuable resources and support to help individuals enhance their professional growth and success. To qualify, businesses must be at least 50% BIPOC owned, have two consecutive years of profitable growth, and be located within the state of Minnesota.
Pre-registration is open for the 2024 CEI Vanguard Accelerator Grant
In partnership with Founders First CDC and the Center for Economic Inclusion (CEI), the Vanguard Accelerator offers Latina and Black Women-owned businesses capital investment and funding to accelerate their growth. Pre-register now to be notified by email when the grant application launches on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. Qualified businesses may be eligible for up to $5,000 in grant funding.
Check out these accelerators from ConnectUp! Institute
The applications for two cohort training programs from the ConnectUp! Institute open in January. The Capital Readiness Accelerator prepares founders to receive and manage funding opportunities and is required to be considered for the ConnectUp! Integrated Capital Fund. Applications open on Friday, January 12.
The Lunar Accelerator is a six-month, customized cohort program that includes executive coaching, on-demand workshops, and expert mentorship for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ+, women, and non-binary entrepreneurs. Applications open on Friday, January 19.
Apply by January 25 for the next NDC Plan It! entrepreneur training
The Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) Plan It! training class helps emerging entrepreneurs and existing business owners learn and expand their knowledge about the fundamentals of running a business. This series will cover topics including accounting, finance, budgeting, marketing, operations, management, and more.
The application deadline is Thursday, January 25 and the class fee is based on a sliding scale ($150 - $650) determined by your household income and family size. Find more details, including schedule options and upcoming info sessions, on the Plan It! website.
WomenVenture's Small Business Essentials course starts February 20
The five-session Small Business Essentials course from WomenVenture is designed to support entrepreneurs through the start-up phase. Participants will be better equipped to develop a comprehensive business plan and launch their entrepreneurial endeavors with confidence. This session will meet online via Zoom from 6 - 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, starting on February 20 and ending on March 19. Cost is $250, although scholarships are available.
Get free business counseling through Open to Business program
The Open to Business program provides direct technical assistance and other forms of support to small business owners and entrepreneurs at no cost. All current business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs intending to establish, purchase or improve a business in Saint Paul are eligible and encouraged to participate.
Free, confidential business counseling is available to current and prospective entrepreneurs from 1 - 3 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6 at the Highland Park Library and on Thursday, February 8 at the Rondo Community Library.
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!
Connect with grants and free resources from BizRecycling
BizRecycling helps local businesses reduce waste and improve trash, recycling, and organics collections. Their Waste Reduction and Innovation Grant is available to eligible businesses and nonprofits for planning, equipment, supplies, and capital improvements that result in the significant reduction of solid waste that the business creates. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, February 16.
Also, did you know that businesses in Ramsey County can receive up to $5,000 in free recycling, organics, and trash labels—no grant required!
Save on refrigeration costs with free energy consulting and rebates
Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is now offering free refrigeration consulting and rebates through its One-Stop Efficiency Shop program, sponsored by Xcel Energy. Starting with a free refrigeration assessment, CEE's consultants can help you find ways to reduce energy use, save money, and earn rebates through practical refrigeration upgrades. Learn more about the program and sign up for a free assessment.
Apply for the next Ramsey County Inclusive Workplaces Cohort
The Inclusive Workplaces Cohort will support employers in becoming more inclusive workplaces to ensure we are amplifying the diversity of our community as a tool for economic growth. There is no cost for businesses in Ramsey County to participate in this peer learning community. Applications are due Wednesday, January 31.
Learn about the Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline program
The Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline helps businesses meet their workforce needs by bringing together structured on-the-job training with formal related education. Companies can work directly with Pipeline program consultants to build a dual-training program, and each spring, businesses can apply for a grant to pay for related instruction costs. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education will open the 2024 request for applications in March.
Take a five-minute survey on station areas for the Purple Line
Do you own a business or work on the East Side or in downtown? Now's the time to share your ideas for the eight Purple Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station areas south of Maryland Avenue. Your input will inform plans about how to direct investment in a way that supports the surrounding neighborhoods and improves access to Purple Line stations. Comment on the station area map or take a five-minute survey.
Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) Ordinance effective January 1, 2024
The Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) Ordinance is now in effect and applies to all employers and employees. City staff worked to align the Saint Paul ESST Ordinance with the new State law, so employers and employees did not have two sets of requirements.
The Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) offers a free ESST presentation for employers and always have staff available for questions. Contact HREEO at 651-266-8966 or LaborStandards@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
Minimum wage updates
Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum wage hourly rate in Saint Paul for for macro businesses (those with more than 10,000 employees) increased to $15.57.
The minimum wage rates for other business will remain the same until July 1, 2024. The current rates are $15.00 for large businesses (101 - 10,000 employees), $13.00 for small business (6 - 100 employees), and $11.50 for micro businesses (5 or fewer employees). To learn more, please visit stpaul.gov/minimumwage.
New reporting requirement for small businesses from U.S. Treasury
Small business owners have a new reporting requirement in 2024 from the U.S. Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. The Corporate Transparency Act requires small businesses with fewer than 20 employees to report their ownership information as part of an effort to curb money laundering and illicit financial operations.
The reporting requirement began on January 1, 2024, but existing businesses have until January 1, 2025 for compliance. Businesses that form in 2024 have 90 days to fulfill the requirement. Submit your information electronically through the online reporting tool.
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