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 Join the World Juniors Puck Partners Program by November 15!
The IIHF World Juniors Hockey Championships are coming to Saint Paul December 26 through January 5—and so is the world! With 10 countries competing, we are getting ready to welcome thousands of fans and visitors to the Capital City in the State of Hockey. The World Juniors Puck Partner program is your chance to welcome visitors from around the globe, gaining direct exposure to thousands of fans. By offering special promotions, events, or extended hours, you’ll be able to showcase the best of Minnesota hospitality. Sign up your business to participate in the Puck Partners local business engagement program December 26, 2025 – January 5, 2026.
Submit your registration here by Saturday, November 15, to be included!
The City of Saint Paul is seeking ways to help activate downtown during the World Juniors tournament as well! On November 19, 2025, the City Council is considering the approval of a limited permit holiday for businesses in downtown to expedite the permitting for select activities during the tournament. If you would like to provide comment on the proposed permit holiday, please consider attending the November 19 public hearing for this item.
If approved, the holiday would go into effect around December 19. To learn more, please reach out to Dan Niziolek at dan.niziolek@ci.stpaul.mn.us
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City News and Updates
PAULIE: Making it easier to do business in Saint Paul
Services You Can Build On
Doing business in Saint Paul just got simpler. On September 17, the City launched PAULIE—short for Permitting and Utilities, Licensing, Inspections Engine—a new online platform that brings together services previously spread across multiple systems. and various other City enterprise approvals and complaint investigations.
Now, business owners can apply for licenses and permits, upload documents, pay fees, and track progress all in one place. PAULIE is mobile-friendly, transparent, and built to save time for both applicants and City staff.
Behind the scenes, PAULIE is part of a larger effort to modernize City services and strengthen digital infrastructure following the July security incident. By introducing a unified, secure, and cloud-based system, the City is reducing paper forms, improving response times, and creating a more consistent customer experience for small businesses and residents alike.
This is just the beginning—new features and permit types will continue rolling out in the coming months as teams refine workflows and respond to user feedback.
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Winter is Around the Corner
Stay informed of Snow Emergencies
Sign up for the City of Saint Paul's Snow Emergency text and email alerts at stpaul.gov/snow. (Available languages include English, Spanish, Somali, Hmong, and Oromo.) Follow updates on social media or call 651-266-PLOW (651-266-7569) for recorded status messages.
Comply with the winter parking rules
Check out when and where you, your staff, and your customers should park their vehicles during a Snow Emergency with the Snow Emergency Parking Map. Downtown streets are all Night Plow Routes. Do not park on downtown streets after 9 p.m. on the first night of when a Snow Emergency is declared. Free off-street parking is available during the first 24 hours of a declared Snow Emergency from 5 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Block 19 Municipal Ramp (145 East 7th Street) in downtown Saint Paul.
Comply with shoveling and snow removal requirements
Property owners or managers are responsible for clearing sidewalks of snow and ice in front of their business after winter weather events. Corner property owners must shovel curbs, walkways, and crosswalks to the street. Saint Paul City Ordinance requires snow and ice to be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours. DO NOT shovel or plow snow into the street. To report a sidewalk that’s a safety hazard and needs shoveling, contact the City Information and Complaint line at 651-266-8989. Be sure to provide the address of the property.
Follow the smart salting tips for sidewalks and driveways
Shovel first! Remember that a little salt goes a long way—more salt does not produce more ice melt. One coffee mug of salt (roughly 12 ounces) is enough to treat a 20-foot driveway, and untreated salt stops working in temperatures below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Want to learn more? Check out one of the smart salting trainings offered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
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Construction Reminder
City of Saint Paul Public Works, MnDOT, Ramsey County, Metro Transit, Saint Paul Regional Water Services, and utility companies are all working in various areas throughout Saint Paul to wrap up the 2025 construction season at the end of this month. Some of the larger Saint Paul Public Works projects in the downtown include: Robert Street, Kellogg/3rd Street Bridge, and the Capital City Bikeway on Kellogg Boulevard. These projects will be completed for the winter, with traffic and sidewalk restrictions removed by early December.
The first Common Cent Sales Tax project on Grand Avenue was completed in six months! Grand Avenue from Fairview Avenue to Snelling Avenue has reopened. Please see the video.
To get in, out, and around Saint Paul, please use the city’s Road Closure Map (and list) at stpaul.gov/roadclosures.
Public Comment Open: Updates to Saint Paul’s Labor Standards Rules
The Saint Paul City Council recently amended the following ordinances to align with state law. These changes take effect November 16, 2025:
- Minimum Wage (Chapter 224)
- Wage Theft (Chapter 224A)
- Earned Sick & Safe Time (Chapter 233)
The Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) has updated the corresponding Administrative Rules and invites public comment through November 24, 2025.
You can review the proposed rules and share feedback using the online form or by contacting HREEO at 651-266-8966 or LaborStandards@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Assistance and accommodations, including language support, are available upon request.
These ordinances apply to all employees—full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary—working within Saint Paul. To learn more visit stpaul.gov/laborstandards.
DSI Call Center
From garbage to graffiti, the City of Saint Paul call center is here to help get code violations taken care of. Real, knowledgeable people are available weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to answer questions, log complaints, and get your problem one step closer to being solved. Give us a call at 651-266-8989.
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MN PROMISE Act – Round 2 Applications Now Open!
Round 2 of the MN PROMISE Act began accepting applications on September 23 and will remain open until December 14. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the MN PROMISE Act website to check eligibility and apply for this impactful grant opportunity.
Support opportunities available:
🖥️ Online Information Sessions Participants can learn about program guidelines, eligibility criteria, and application steps. The PROMISE Act team will be available to answer questions live.
👉 Register for an Info Session
📍 In-Person Application Labs Held every Tuesday and Thursday (9–11 a.m. & 12–2 p.m.), and on Fourth Thursdays (3:30–6:30 p.m.) at the Neighborhood Development Center, these labs offer hands-on support for applicants who have started their applications.
👉 Register for an Application Lab
🚀 Ready to apply?
👉 Apply Now
Celebrating Grantee Impact The PROMISE Act regularly shares stories from grantees on its website and social media, highlighting the impact of the program across Minnesota communities.
Featured Round 1 Saint Paul awardees include:
Paid Leave Starts January 1. Prepare Today.
Minnesota Paid Leave is a new state government program that will offer payments and job protections so people can take time off work to care for themselves or their loved ones during some of life’s most important moments. Visit the Paid Leave website and sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news and make sure you are ready for January 1!
Paid Leave Staff can be reached 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except state holidays, at 651-556-7777 or 844-556-0444 (toll-free). A new checklist to help employers prepare for Paid Leave is also now available.
There are important steps you should take today to make Paid Leave work for your business, before your employees begin to apply for leave.
Step 1: Set up your accounts
The most important thing to do today is to get your accounts ready for Paid Leave. You will need your Employer Account (at uimn.org) and a Paid Leave Administrator Account (at paidleave.mn.gov).
✅ Register for or log in to your Employer Account at uimn.org. Then, designate a Paid Leave Administrator in your Employer Account.
✅ Create a Paid Leave Administrator Account at paidleave.mn.gov. Set up the account now so you’re ready when employees start applying for leave.
Step 2: Notify your employees
You must notify your employees about Paid Leave by December 1, 2025.
✅ Hang the Paid Leave workplace poster (PDF).
✅ Provide individual notices (Word Doc) to your employees.
Step 3: Set your workplace policies
There are other important decisions you can make today to make Paid Leave work best for your organization.
✅ Learn more about decisions you can make about premiums, leave policies, and more on the Paid Leave website.
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Ramsey County Means Business
Ramsey County Means Business is a comprehensive hub for entrepreneurs and small business owners planning to expand or relocate to the county. Visitors can find information on available funding programs, redevelopment opportunities, market data, and workforce resources, as well as tools to help identify potential sites and connect with local partners.
New entrepreneurs and existing small businesses can utilize Ramsey County’s Open to Business program operated in partnership with the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD). The program provides direct technical assistance with developing a business plan, a business feasibility analysis, cash flow, and financial projections, as well as other technical assistance resources. Open to Business is available to you and your business!
Workforce Solutions and the WIB are leading efforts to support employers to create a sense of welcoming for all employees within their organizations. One of these efforts is to provide an Inclusive Employer Toolkit. The toolkit aims to help employers provide a more welcoming environment for all by offering practices to build inclusion in the areas of employee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention.
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Get FREE Expert Business Advice!
Whether you are just developing your business idea, or have been in business for years, our mentors are here to help you. No question is too big or too small. Meet with one of our mentors via email, video, or phone. Find Your Mentor.
Seeking Small Business Owners’ Insights
If you own or manage a for-profit business with fewer than 500 employees, the Federal Reserve seeks your participation in its Small Business Credit Survey, which is open now through November 14. This annual survey helps inform the Fed, federal policymakers, and others about challenges small businesses face in the current financial landscape. It only takes about 12 minutes to complete, and all responses are confidential. Take the survey!
Access Financial and Technical Support from the City of Saint Paul
The City of Saint Paul partners with business support organizations and groups throughout the Twin Cities. If you would like direct business support from our team, the first step is to submit an intake form. Get connected today to learn more about what programs and resources can help you reach your business goals!
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Upcoming events
Monday, November 17
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Alary’s Bar
Strengthen the Strong brings together change-makers to form fresh relationships and foster a stronger and more prosperous community in the Twin Cities! Join them for a relaxed and meaningful evening as they gather for their final event of 2025 — the November Happy Hour at Alarys Bar in Saint Paul! Close out the year together with great conversations, genuine connections, and plenty of good vibes. Expect a warm, welcoming space to unwind, celebrate, and connect with familiar faces and new friends alike. Reserve your spot at no-cost here!
Tuesday, November 18 & Tuesday, December 2
12 – 1p.m.
MCCD Office or Virtual
This lending session will provide information on MCCD’s loan products, including microloans, stage 2 business loans, shared ownership loans, and more. A clear breakdown of how to apply, Q&A, and networking. This session is geared toward new and existing MCCD clients interested in applying for a loan, emerging entrepreneurs, small business owners, and those interested in shared ownership seeking funding or support to grow their businesses. Learn more and sign up here.
Tuesday, November 18 – Taking the Lead, Capital, & Governance
3 – 5 p.m.
Virtual
Tuesday, December 2 – Building Boldly & Equitably
3 – 5 p.m.
Virtual
Naturally MN’s Women in Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) Summit is taking place as a series throughout November and December 2025. ‘Thriving in Transformation: Resilience, Reinvention, and Reimagining CPG’ brings together individuals, entrepreneurs, and companies alike, drawing attendees from Minnesota and beyond.
Wednesday, November 19
12 – 4 p.m.
Midtown Global Market
Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) and Huntington Bank are celebrating Seeds for Growth!
Join them for a powerful event filled with networking, local vendors, a business pitch workshop, and a live pitch competition showcasing incredible entrepreneurs. Plus, enjoy valuable resources, professional headshots, and inspiring conversations designed to help small business owners grow and connect. This event is a celebration of entrepreneurship, community, and opportunity!
Register: https://bit.ly/3KRSgjS
Wednesday, November 19
1 – 2 p.m.
Neighborhood Development Center (NDC)
Thursday, December 4
1 – 2 p.m.
Virtual
Join Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) for a Loan Information Session to learn about their flexible, character-based loans designed for small businesses at every stage. They are now offering Small Dollar and Express Loans for extended flexibility and assistance. The sessions give you insights into eligibility, the application process, and how NDC’s lending team supports you beyond the paperwork. Sign up now!
Thursday, November 20
12 – 1:30 p.m.
Virtual
Curious how A.I. can simplify PR? In this beginner friendly session, you will see how to use A.I. to spark story ideas, write copy, craft media pitches, and manage your social media. No technical background is needed, just come ready to discover how A.I. can act as your PR assistant and lighten your marketing workload. Get tickets here!
Thursday, November 20
6 – 8 p.m.
The Coven St. Paul
Join WomenVenture for an evening of networking and intention setting for the new year in the beautiful Coven St. Paul space! Learn about the services that WomenVenture offers to both pre- and post-launch entrepreneurs, and spend time chatting, connecting, and planning your best year yet! This event is open to both pre- and post-launch entrepreneurs. Whether you’re operational or still figuring things out, you’re welcome to come make meaningful connections and start planning a great 2026! This program is open to all gender identities. Light snacks and N/A beverages will be provided. FREE, but advance registration is required.
Tuesday, November 25 & Tuesday, December 9
3 – 6 p.m.
Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC)
Participants will learn how to formalize their business, build a successful business plan, learn about accessing resources and capital, and connect with other entrepreneurs. If interested, you can learn more and register for a workshop here.
Wednesday, December 3
4 – 6 p.m.
The Coven St. Paul
Kick off December with an interactive evening focused on help-seeking, generosity, and connection. Designed and led by Naturally Minnesota and The Hush Collaborative, this hands-on session helps you articulate what you need, share what you can offer, and practice meaningful exchange across generations, roles, and experiences. Open to all, centered on female founders in CPG. You’ll leave with new confidence, insights, and allies in your corner. Register here!
Tuesday, December 9
5 – 7 p.m.
Landmark Center
The St. Paul Area Chamber, along with partner chambers, annually hosts a wintertime celebration for Chamber members, friends, and colleagues. They'll have free food and drink samples from local restaurants, caterers, breweries and more, as well as a cash bar. Join them by registering here! This event is hosted by the St. Paul Area Chamber, the Minnesota Black Chamber, the Oakdale Area Chamber, and the Grand Avenue Business Association.
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