Business Support
No one knows Minneapolis the way we do! The City's Community Planning & Economic Development team can help you find answers to all of your questions about doing business in Minneapolis. We look forward to working with you.
CPED provides a variety of tools to assist Minneapolis businesses with site selection, consulting and workforce development, and supports its business associations and districts.
- The Great Streets Neighborhood Business District Program offers financing and support programs designed to help businesses develop and succeed along commercial corridors and in nodes throughout the city.
- The City's Minneapolis Employment and Training Program provides a variety of tools and links to assist Minneapolis businesses with employment, training and recruitment.
- The Minneapolis Development Review provides guidance on needed permits and licenses for real estate development and business expansions, relocations and start up.
- To search for available commercial or industrial properties, search the online listings from the Minnesota Commercial Association of Real Estate.
- The City and its partners provide a variety of assistance tools to support businesses during street reconstruction.
CPED offers a wide array of financing programs, ranging from $1,000 to $10 million, for Minneapolis businesses as well as staff assistance in selecting the appropriate program.
- Alternative Financing Program is a profit-based financing tool where no interest is paid or collected.
- Bank Qualified Bank Direct Loans are cost-effective tax-exempt loans for capital projects in 501 (c) organizations.
- Business Development Fund Loans assist with redevelopment projects that have a potential for the creation of jobs.
- Business Recovery Loan Program provides financing to Minneapolis based businesses that have been directly impacted by a disaster.
- Capital Acquisition Revolving Fund can be used to acquire commercial property for owner occupancy.
- Energy Efficiency Loan Program provides financing in partnership with the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) for businesses making energy retrofits and energy efficiency improvements for commercial and industrial properties. Most loans are less than $75,000 and are paired with Excel and Centerpoint Energy rebates.
- Homegrown Business Development Center provides financing and technical assistance to Minneapolis based businesses that manufacture local food products.
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a number of financial assistance programs for small businesses.
- Small Business Real Estate Acquisition Loan Program
- Two-Percent Loans support small Minneapolis businesses with equipment and building improvements.
- Two-Percent Commercial Corridor/Commercial Node Loans provide financing to small Minneapolis businesses in designated commercial corridors and commercial nodes.
- Working Capital Program helps small businesses secure working capital financing through private banking institutions.
The following are links to helpful guides to assist in business development.
- A Practical Guide to Starting a Business in Minneapolis (pdf)
- Loans and Grants for Minneapolis Businesses (pdf)
- Guide to Starting a Local Food Business in Minneapolis
- Directory of Minneapolis business associations (pdf)
- Resources for Artist and Arts Organizations
- Conservation programs available through Xcel Energy
- Information for veterans who want to start their own business
- Twin Cities Green Product & Service Directory
Online information from the City of Minneapolis at MinneapolisMN.gov/CPED
Last updated Jan. 29, 2013