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The 2025 grant application for the City of Saint Paul’s Neighborhood STAR program is now open.
Submit your online application no later than Friday, May 2 at 4 p.m.
The Neighborhood STAR program funds capital projects in Saint Paul neighborhoods. To be eligible for a STAR grant, an applicant must:
- Be located in Saint Paul
- Make a capital improvement with an expected life of 7+ years
- Have a project that contributes to the prosperity, cultural diversity, and/or vitality of Saint Paul neighborhoods
"Had we not had the STAR funds to help with this project, it might have put us at risk of not being able to survive the financial burden," said Daniel Lehn, owner of Cadenza Music and a 2024 Neighborhood STAR grant recipient. "By staying open, we are able to continue to provide the service, education, and community building events for our neighborhood."
Details on eligibility, application requirements, and the evaluation and selection process are available in the program guidelines. The guidelines are available in English, Spanish, Hmong/Hmoob, Somali, and Karen.
A virtual pre-proposal workshop was held on Tuesday, April 8. Watch the recording and view the slides to see the presentation and learn more about the program.
Still have questions? Be sure to review the frequently asked questions (FAQs) or reach out to the Neighborhood STAR team at PED-NeighborhoodStar@stpaul.gov.
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City leaders at the groundbreaking of the aquifer thermal energy storage system at The Heights
The City of Saint Paul is dedicated to environmental stewardship and fostering a prosperous, healthy, and livable city that works for all.
This April, check out the wide range of resources to help your business go green — including energy efficiency programs, free assessments, grants, and more! Whether you’re a restaurant, salon, retail business, or office, the smallest change can make a big difference for your business and our community.
Free energy consulting and rebates for small businesses
The One-Stop Efficiency Shop, sponsored by Xcel Energy, is a free energy efficiency consulting and rebate program designed to help small businesses save energy and reduce operating costs through practical lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration upgrades. The program includes:
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Free energy assessments
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Rebates covering up to 75% of project costs
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Free ecobee3 lite smart thermostats and free installation
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Project support including help finding contractors and reviewing bids
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Access to low-interest financing
- Assistance completing and submitting rebate paperwork
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Reduce waste and improve recycling and organics with BizRecycling
BizRecycling helps Ramsey County businesses start organics collections and supports waste reduction and recycling efforts through consultation, grants, and resources. Businesses can also get up to $5,000 in trash and recycling labels for free, and they are available in English, Somali, Hmong, Spanish, and Oromo.
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Power up with electric vehicles and workplace charging
The nationwide EMPOWER Workplace Charging Project will provide free advisory services for those businesses looking to install workplace charging stations.
If you install qualified electric vehicle chargers at your business, you may be eligible for the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit.
Sign up for carshare! Evie is an all-electric, one-way, free-floating carshare service with over 170 vehicles in the Twin Cities. An Evie business account is a great way to group multiple people under the same payment structure.
Coordinate a cleanup event in your neighborhood
Celebrate the 55th anniversary of Earth Day by participating in a citywide cleanup outing! Pick your own date, time, and location (park, sidewalk, or trail) and fill out the request form to receive supplies from Parks and Recreation (or bring your own trash bags and gloves from home).
Willing to make a bigger commitment? Consider signing up to adopt your block! This requires a minimum commitment of two years and a pledge to clean the block a minimum of 12 times per year. Learn more.
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Additional resources to support your sustainability goals
Check out more resources to help your business reduce waste and save money:
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Get a free site visit from a Waste Wise sustainability specialist to identify new ways to recycle, maximize reuse, and explore new waste reduction options. They can also review your waste bills and help you right-size services to make them as efficient and affordable as possible.
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The goal of the Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program is to motivate business owners to complete commercial energy efficiency upgrades/projects that would otherwise not have been completed without this aid. Businesses served by Xcel Energy or CenterPoint Energy are eligible to apply.
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MNimize is a campaign to recognize and support food service businesses as they take action to reduce single-use plastic. The MNimize team will come visit your business to help identify the actions that best suit your needs and interest, and will offer ongoing implementation support.
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The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is accepting applications for their Small Business Environmental Improvement Loan. These 0% interest loans are available to assist small businesses in improving practices to meet or exceed environmental regulations.
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Apply for a parklet or sidewalk café permit
Warmer days are around the corner so now is the time to think about adding a sidewalk café or parklet at your businesses. These are two great ways to add gathering spaces to enhance the streetscape while also giving customers a new way to enjoy local businesses.
If you own and operate a food establishment (restaurant, coffee shop, etc.) and are interested in learning more, visit stpaul.gov/sidewalkcafe or stpaul.gov/parklet or reach out to PW-ROWpermits@stpaul.gov.
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Stay up to date on MN PROMISE Act funding
The MN PROMISE Act is a state-funded small business revitalization program that provides loans and grants to disadvantaged small businesses located in certain areas of Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Eligible Saint Paul businesses, nonprofit organizations, and developers can currently apply for the loan program, which must be used for site preparation, building construction, infrastructure, landscaping, and other capital improvement costs. Fill out this form to see if your business is eligible. Please note that eligibility does not guarantee funding. Sign up for the newsletter to receive timely updates on future funding rounds.
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Apply for micro-grants from the Market Entry Fund
Are you a founder of a packaged food or beverage business in Minnesota? The Market Entry Fund (MEF) is a Saint Paul-based non-profit supporting emerging and diverse entrepreneurs across the state. MEF’s micro-grants program offers $5,000 to $20,000 in flexible funding to overcome early-stage challenges and take local consumer packaged goods (CPG) programs to the next level. Applications are open until Monday, April 28.
Next WomenVenture Small Business Essentials course starts April 23
The 5-session Small Business Essentials course from WomenVenture is designed for budding entrepreneurs with no formal business education who are seeking to develop a business plan with the goal of launching a small business. By the end of this course, participants will have a foundational understanding of business concepts, market analysis, financial management, legal considerations, and strategies to build networks.
Join the Labor Standards Advisory Committee
The Labor Standards Advisory Committee (LSAC) advises and supports the City's Labor Standards Enforcement and Education Division. LSAC balances the interests of businesses and employees in the City of Saint Paul to support the business community and promote a just and safe work environment. Meetings are held in person on the second Thursday of every month. Submit your application online if you're interested in serving on this important committee.
Help shape the future of downtown Saint Paul streets and sidewalks
The City of Saint Paul is looking to improve connectivity and support growth in downtown. The Saint Paul Downtown Streets and Sidewalks Plan will do this by establishing a 20-year vision for streets that are safe, convenient, and vibrant. Take a 10-minute survey to provide feedback on current issues, future goals, and your vision for the downtown streets and sidewalks. Survey closes on April 22.
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. 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!
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Upcoming events
Tuesday, April 15
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Virtual event
Don't miss this free training opportunity for all Saint Paul business owners brought to you by Visit Saint Paul. Tired of wondering if your digital marketing is actually doing anything? This webinar will equip you with the knowledge and tools to finally track your marketing performance effectively. You’ll discover which key performance indicators to employ, how to set them up, and understand how they fit into the bigger picture. Reserve your spot.
Set up your Destination Uplift account to find more free small business marketing resources and webinars (use code PARTNER2025).
Thursday, April 17
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center
Small businesses looking to expand their opportunities won’t want to miss the 26th Annual SADBOC Government Procurement Fair. The event features over 20 workshops and 60 exhibitors where businesses can meet directly with government, commercial contractors, and nonprofit organizations. Register today to connect with federal, state, and local agencies—including the City of Saint Paul's Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) and Ramsey County—and gain valuable resources to strengthen your business strategy.
Join Mayor Carter as he delivers his 2025 State of Our City Address at the brand new North End Community Center! His address will highlight the City’s shared success and outline key initiatives that will guide the future of our community. Following the address, all are welcome to tour the new North End Community Center. The event is open to the public and will also be livestreamed on the City of Saint Paul's YouTube page.
Wednesday, April 23
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Virtual event
Discover how the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) can help your business thrive while fostering a more inclusive workplace. Small to mid-sized businesses in Minnesota can receive reimbursements of up to $30,000 for providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants and employees with disabilities. Register today.
Thursday, April 24
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Metropolitan Economic Development Association
This event from Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) will educate small business owners on how AI agents can automate tasks like email and calendar management, lead research, follow-ups, and document organization to improve efficiency and business growth. Reserve your spot for this free event.
Tuesday, April 29
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Virtual event
Discover the secrets to choosing and preparing the perfect brick-and-mortar space for your business! In this expert-led workshop from WomenVenture will guide you through the essential steps, from selecting the right location to creating a functional, welcoming environment tailored to your needs. Cost is $20 — register now.
Thursday, May 1
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Rondo Community Library
The Open to Business program provides direct technical assistance 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. Additional office hours will be held at the Hayden Heights Library on Monday, April 28 and the Highland Park Library on Tuesday, May 6.
Thursday, May 1
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Virtual event
Discover how the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) Lending Team can help turn your ambitions into achievements and support the growth of your small businesses. Learn about NDC's lending processes and offerings, eligibility requirements, and more. These virtual sessions are held on the first Thursday and third Tuesday of each month and are open to anyone interested in learning more — no RSVP is needed.
Wednesday, May 7
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Neighborhood Development Center
What if your business dreams had a roadmap? Achieve It!, hosted by the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) Business Lab, assists entrepreneurs in learning how to set better business goals so you can conquer each one with confidence. In this workshop, you will: set goals for your business, learn about the key ingredients to setting realistic goals, identify how to reach your goals, and connect with other business owners. Sign up now.
Friday, May 9
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saint Paul RiverCentre
The Small Business Summit & Expo is dedicated to celebrating, educating, connecting, and showcasing small businesses in our region. This event will bring together over 300 entrepreneurs, small business owners, and industry professionals to network and discover new opportunities. Register today.
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