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 Fall Resources to Strengthen Your Small Business
Take advantage of several free business development opportunities this September and October through the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC). The deadline is fast approaching for two programs starting September 14: Mindset Reset, a free six-week program focused on building the emotional resilience needed to run a business without running yourself into the ground, and Money Matters!, a free six-session program that helps entrepreneurs set financial goals, understand margins, and price with confidence. NDC also offers Choosing the Right Entity for Your Small Business on September 17 and Credit Up! on September 22, which combines educational courses, one-on-one financial coaching, and access to your credit report, with eligibility for a Small Dollar Loan.
Looking ahead, entrepreneurs can also participate in Build a Brand People Connect With on September 25 and Understanding Contracts on October 20. These workshops provide practical tools to help business owners strengthen their brand, better understand contracts, and make informed decisions as they grow. Check out NDC’s upcoming programs and sign up today!
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City News and Updates
Innovation @ the Park Returns October 1
 Discover Saint Paul’s growing innovation community at Innovation @ the Park, Thursday, October 1, from 3:30–6:30 p.m. at Rice Park. Hosted by Full Stack Saint Paul and Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, this free event will feature local innovators, interactive technology demonstrations, resources for entrepreneurs and local tech talent, and opportunities to connect with innovative business and workforce leaders. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase.
2027 Minimum Wage Announcement and Updates
 Announcing City of Saint Paul Minimum Wage Rates for 2027
In accordance with the City Minimum Wage Ordinance, Chapter 224, we are announcing the minimum wage hourly rates for 2027. Effective January 1, 2027, minimum wage for all Saint Paul businesses with 101 or more employees increases to $17.02/hour.
The minimum wage for businesses with fewer employees remains the same until July 1, 2027. On July 1, 2027, the minimum wage hourly rate for Small Businesses, those with 6-100 employees, will increase to $17.02/hour. For Micro Businesses with 5 or less employees, the rate will increase to $15.00/hour.
Employers in Saint Paul must count all employees, whether full-time or part-time, hired jointly with another employer, or temporary, including employees working remotely.
City of Saint Paul Eliminates 90-day Youth Wage, Effective January 1, 2027
On August 12, 2026, the Saint Paul City Council voted to adopt the amendment of Section 224.05© of the Minimum Wage Ordinance, removing the City’s provisional 90-day minimum wage rate for workers ages between 14 and 17.
This legislation change is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, meaning employers will be required to pay all workers regardless of age the appropriate minimum hourly rate in accordance with their business size. This change will not affect any City-approved youth-focused training or apprenticeship programs, which are still permitted to have a special youth training wage.
For more information or to file a complaint about Minimum Wage, Earned Sick and Safe Time, and/or Wage Theft, please visit stpaul.gov/laborstandards, call 651-266-8966, or email LaborStandards@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
Share Your Ideas for Saint Paul’s Future: Join Us for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan Kickoff Event in Rice Park!
Saint Paul is kicking off the two-year community engagement process for our 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update, and we want to hear from you! Join us for an opportunity to learn about the 2050 Comprehensive Plan and share your ideas for the future of our city!
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Location: Rice Park (109 W 4th St, St Paul, MN 55102)*
What to Expect:
- Learn about the 2050 Comprehensive Plan and the update process
- Share your vision and priorities for the future of Saint Paul
- A casual, conversational opportunity to connect with City staff to ask questions about the plan
- Treats will be provided!
*In case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled to a later date. Check StPaul.gov/2050Plan for any event updates.
About the City’s Comprehensive Plan
The Comprehensive Plan is updated every 10 years and serves as Saint Paul’s “blueprint” for guiding how the city grows and develops over the next 20 years. Your ideas and input will help shape the priorities for this update.
Can’t make the kickoff event in September?
There will be many opportunities between now and winter 2027 to participate in the comprehensive planning process both online and in-person.
Future community engagement opportunities and project updates will be posted on the City's 2050 Comprehensive Plan Project webpage at StPaul.gov/2050Plan.
Want to share your ideas now?
Check out the Engage Saint Paul platform to:
- Fill out the 2050 Comprehensive Plan survey
- Use our interactive city-wide engagement map to share your thoughts about important places throughout Saint Paul.
Spotlight on the Como, Front, Dale Commercial Corridor
 This month, we are happy to feature the Como, Front, Dale Commercial Corridor. The Como Community Council manages the Como, Dale, Front commercial corridor and is using the second round of funding on corridor marketing, events, and business subgrants. Subgrant applications are open now and will be awarded on a rolling basis. See details and apply here. In the first year of the Commercial Corridor Program, the Como Community Council worked in partnership with the North End Neighborhood Organization and used funding on light pole banners, corridor branded bike racks, benches, planters, and a new event, the Front Avenue Crawl.
Have you opened a new business or know of a new business in Saint Paul?
Please let us know by emailing BusinessResources@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
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!
DSI Call Center
Unwelcome artwork on your property? Any designs, symbols, drawings, or other markings on any structure without the owner’s permission are considered graffiti under City code, Ch. 45. The City of Saint Paul call center is available weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can walk you through the steps to report and remove unwanted graffiti. Call us at 651-266-8989.
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PROMISE Act Funding Still Available for Small Businesses
The Minnesota PROMISE Act is a state-funded initiative that helps small businesses in eligible areas of Minneapolis and Saint Paul grow, recover, and build long-term stability through grant funding. To date, more than 1,000 businesses have received support, with $16.5 million distributed. Round 2 funding remains available, with approximately $60 million grant funding still open for eligible applicants.
Free support is available to help business owners navigate the application process. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to submit your application, the PROMISE Act Grant team is here to help through virtual assistance, information sessions, and one-on-one support.
We encourage business owners to apply and take advantage of the resources available throughout the process.
👉 Apply Now
👉 View Info Sessions
👉 Schedule 1:1 Virtual Support
👉 Schedule 1:1 In-Person Support
📞 Call: 651-379-8102
Twin Cities Startup Week Returns September 14-18
Looking for practical tools, fresh ideas, and connections to help grow your business? Twin Cities Startup Week offers a full lineup of sessions and events designed for entrepreneurs and established small business owners alike. Explore topics including marketing, financing, technology, leadership, and business growth—whether your goal is to reach new customers, strengthen operations, access capital, or connect with other entrepreneurs.
The full schedule is now available, so start planning your week! Some sessions may fill up, and full week pass prices are expected to increase to $100 soon.
Ramsey County Resources
Re-Imagination Resource Center Enters Implementation Phase
Ramsey County’s Re-Imagination Resource Center has entered its implementation phase, marking an important step toward strengthening local Business Community Organizations (BCOs) and expanding support for small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Ramsey County.
Small business owners and entrepreneurs who live or operate in Ramsey County are invited to connect with the participating organizations to learn more about available programs and free business support. Services include technical assistance, training, mentoring, and other resources designed to help entrepreneurs start, strengthen, and grow their businesses. Learn more on the Re-Imagination Resource Center webpage.
The Inclusive Employer Toolkit, offered by Workforce Solutions and the Workforce Investment Board (WIB), provides practical resources to help Saint Paul employers create welcoming and inclusive workplaces where employees can succeed. The toolkit includes guidance on recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention, including strategies for creating a structured onboarding process that helps new employees feel connected, informed, and supported from day one. Tips include assigning mentors, clearly communicating workplace expectations and available resources, and fostering a culture where all employees feel valued. A strong, inclusive onboarding process can help employers improve employee engagement, reduce turnover, and build a stronger, more connected workforce. Learn more about the Toolkit.
What's Your Next Business Move?
You can have all the right pieces on the board, but without a strategy, you’re just moving in circles. If you aren’t sure what your next move is, that’s okay. ConnectUP! Institute has developed the GYST Lab, a three-part series specifically for idea-stage founders who are ready to stop guessing. The program will walk participants through understanding how to make decisions under pressure, so you don’t blink when the game gets intense; use practical AI tools to test your idea before you spend a dime building it and walk away with a realistic 90-day plan you can actually follow.
Turn your "what if" into a strategic win. Cost: $25 for each class. Take one class or all of them.
No Cost Weekly Virtual Info Sessions for Entrepreneurs
Have questions about starting a business, building credit, developing a business plan, or managing your finances? Beginning September 8, African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS) will offer free, drop-in Weekly Virtual Info Sessions every Tuesday from 2–3 p.m. via Zoom—no appointment necessary. Each session will feature a brief discussion on a specific business topic, followed by an open Q&A where you can ask questions on any topic. Upcoming topics include starting a business, credit building, business planning, and financial literacy. Participants who need additional support can also connect with AEDS for one-on-one technical assistance or its Business Development Training Program.
Register for Food. Ag. Ideas 2026
Registration for Food. Ag. Ideas 2026 is officially OPEN. You're invited to join farmers, founders, brands, researchers, investors, and industry leaders on October 27 for a full day of thought-provoking conversations, inspiring speakers, and meaningful connections at FAI 2026.
This year's theme, The Minnesota Model, explores how Minnesota's unique food and agriculture ecosystem—built on cooperative economics, land stewardship, and interconnected food system infrastructure—is creating a more resilient future, and what the rest of the country can learn from it.
Small Business Essentials Course at WomenVenture
WomenVenture’s Small Business Essentials Course starts Thursday, September 24 and runs through Thursday, October 22; classes are Thursdays from 6 – 8pm at the WomenVenture Office at 165 Western Avenue North, Suite 8, Office #100, St. Paul, MN 55102. This 5-session course will help prepare your business for launch by exploring marketing, finance, operations, and legal considerations. This course 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.
Funding Available Through BizRecycling Grants
Businesses in Ramsey County may be eligible for grant funding and free technical assistance through BizRecycling, a program of Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy. Grants can help cover the cost of recycling and organics collection equipment, waste reduction initiatives, reusable service ware, facility improvements, employee education, and other sustainability projects that reduce waste and improve operations. Funding opportunities range from Bin-Only Grants of up to $2,500 for small businesses to Recycling Grants of up to $10,000 and Waste Reduction & Innovation or Pollution Prevention Grants of up to $50,000 for larger projects. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and businesses receive personalized guidance from a BizRecycling expert throughout the application process.
Family Business Mini MBA at the University of St. Thomas
Family-owned businesses face unique challenges when it comes to leadership, ownership, succession, and balancing family priorities with business performance. The University of St. Thomas Family Business Mini MBA provides family business owners, next-generation successors, and other family business leaders with practical tools and strategies to address these challenges while strengthening the long-term health of their businesses. The seven-week program covers topics including family business strategy, finance and accounting, leadership, marketing, operations, governance, and succession planning, while providing opportunities for peer learning and networking with other family business leaders. The next session runs September 18–November 6, 2026, with classes held Fridays from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at the University of St. Thomas Minneapolis campus.
SBA Seeking Comments on New Small Business Size Standards
The SBA is proposing new size standards for 338 industry groups and industries. The new size standards are designed to better reflect the nature of the markets in which small businesses compete. These changes would enable more businesses to access SBA loans, compete for federal contracts, and participate in other federal support programs.
Learn more and submit your comments on the Federal Register rule page before the public comment period closes on September 21, 2026.
Minnesota Energy Storage Incentives Available for Businesses
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is offering incentives to help eligible property owners, including small businesses—reduce the cost of installing battery energy storage systems paired with solar. Systems up to 50 kWh may qualify. Eligible businesses within Xcel Energy’s service territory may receive $175 per kWh, up to $5,000 (or $370 per kWh for income-qualified customers). Funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so businesses considering solar-plus-storage should review eligibility and apply early. Learn more about Minnesota’s Energy Storage Incentives
Facing High Energy Costs at Your Business?
CEE's One-Stop Efficiency Shop offers free energy efficiency consulting and enhanced rebates covering up to 75% of project costs for Minnesota businesses receiving electric service from Xcel Energy. Our lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration experts provide on-site energy assessments, detailed reports, project guidance, and rebate paperwork assistance.
Want to see how much you can save? Reach out to us to schedule a free energy assessment at mncee.org/business.
Get FREE Expert Business Advice!
Whether you are just developing your business idea, or have been in business for years, SCORE mentors are here to help you. No question is too big or too small. Meet with a mentor via email, video, or phone. SCORE mentoring is free and confidential.
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Upcoming events
Tuesday, September 15
10am – 12pm
Virtual
Boost your confidence with a beginner‑friendly tour of bookkeeping via QuickBooks Online. Learn key financial basics and start managing your business with clarity. Presented by SCORE. Learn more and register here!
Tuesday, September 15
1 – 2pm
Virtual
The Minnesota Secure Choice Retirement Program is expanding access to retirement savings for Minnesota workers who do not have access to a workplace retirement plan, while offering employers a simple and streamlined way to facilitate participation. The presentation from the Saint Paul Area Chamber explains employer eligibility, compliance requirements, onboarding processes, payroll integration options, and the support resources available to assist businesses. Learn more and register here!
Wednesday, September 16
1 – 3pm
Virtual
Master small‑business taxes with expert tips on estimating, e‑filing, home‑office rules, and contractor vs. employer basics. Presented by SCORE. Learn more and register here!
Thursday, September 17
11am – 12:30pm
Virtual
Learn how to use AI to turn everyday customer questions into helpful, on-brand marketing content that builds trust and demonstrates your expertise. Presented by SCORE. Learn more and register!
Thursday, September 17
12 – 1:30pm
Virtual
Learn the legal structures available for your business and the tax and legal details of each. This workshop presented by NDC will provide an overview of the various legal structures available to you and some of the legal and tax consequences of each. Learn more and register here!
Thursday, September 17
6 – 8pm
The Coven St. Paul
WomenVenture presents Community & Connections: Back to Business. Recenter your business after a hectic summer! Summer has come to an end, the kids are back to school, and it’s time for you to get back to business! Join them for an evening of small business community, connection, and refocus in the beautiful Coven St. Paul space. Learn more and register!
Thursday, September 24
12 – 3pm
Virtual
This accelerator from the Saint Paul Area Chamber helps manufacturers identify the skills driving success in advanced manufacturing while exploring strategies to recruit, train, and retain employees in an increasingly automated environment. Participants will discover how competencies, skills, work values, and proficiencies can be aligned with employee potential and development to build a ready and successful workforce. Ideal for: Manufacturers, production leaders, operations managers, HR professionals, technical colleges, and workforce partners. Learn more and register here!
Friday, September 25
12 – 1:30pm
or
1:30 – 3pm
Virtual
Strengthen the way you talk about your business with clear, authentic messaging that builds trust and connects with customers with this workshop from NDC. Walk away with practical strategies you can apply to networking, marketing, and everyday conversations. Learn more and register here!
Wednesday, September 30
11:30am – 1:30pm
370 Osborne
Gathering change-makers to form fresh relationships & foster a stronger and more prosperous community in the Twin Cities! Celebrate five years of building relationships, strengthening businesses, and creating a stronger Twin Cities community. The Strengthen the Strong 5 Year Anniversary Luncheon returns this September, bringing together leaders, entrepreneurs, and community builders from across the Twin Cities for an afternoon of networking, collaboration, and celebration. Learn more and register here!
Wednesday, September 30
4 – 6pm
LEDC Offices
This free workshop from LEDC helps business owners evaluate the overall health of their business by focusing on five key areas: profitability, cash flow, management, growth, and strategy. Participants will assess the current state of their business, identify opportunities for improvement, understand key financial indicators, and develop an action plan to prepare for sustainable growth and future financing opportunities. Learn more and register here!
Thursday, October 1
11am – 4:30pm
Norway House
Designed for hairstylists, barbers, makeup artists, estheticians, nail technicians, wellness professionals, product brands, and beauty entrepreneurs who are ready to build stronger, more profitable businesses. Step into the spotlight and showcase your physical beauty products to active buyers, retail scouts, and a passionate local community of beauty enthusiasts. Learn more and register!
Wednesday, October 7
11:30am – 1:30pm
Joseph’s Grill
Hosted by the Saint Paul Port Authority, a one-hour session (presented by Deborah Saari, the Employer Education Coordinator at NAMI Minnesota) on how to build a toolkit for better self-care and how to recognize when to use those tools. Learn new techniques to help improve your self-care routine and receive some new resources to try out. Register here!
Saturday, October 17
10am – 4pm
Plaza del Sol, St. Paul
This collaboration between LEDC and the Land Stewardship project is to help new and emerging farmers access land. This workshop will be hands-on and presented entirely in Spanish. Learn more and register here!
Tuesday, October 20
11:30am – 1pm
Virtual
For your business, you may need to sign a contract for services or have someone sign your contract for services. Before signing a contract or having someone sign your contract, be sure to have a clear understanding of each party’s rights, responsibilities, and obligations. Learn more and register here!
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