Business Association Assistance Program


The City of Minneapolis works to strengthen local business organizations and help stabilize commercial areas so that they contribute to the economic growth of their members and assist the city in attainment of its economic development objectives.

The city will contract with new and/or existing business associations to act in an advisory role to the city.

Business Association Assistance Program guidelines

Directory of Minneapolis business associations (PDF)

Program Funding

The Minneapolis City Council has allocated funds to the Business Association Assistance Program. Business associations are funded on a program yearly basis (Sept 1 through August 31).

Roles and duties of participating business associations

The city will contract with new and/or existing business associations to act in an advisory role to the city. It is the intent of the program that the available funds are to be allocated to as many eligible associations as possible.

Those associations that desire to deliver advisory services will be considered for funding by the city upon submitting a proposal agreeing to promote economic development within Minneapolis by carrying out the following activities:

a. Build a sense of business identity within their community.

b. Identify significant issues confronting their businesses.

c. Encourage businesses, industrial and commercial property owners to participate and become members and leaders in the association.

d. Hold regular open meetings and encourage all parties interested in any issue to attend and participate.

e. Ensure that members are informed of city programs available to them.

f. Report on association responses to city programs or projects, as requested.

g. Identify businesses or properties that need or may be eligible for city programs or projects.

h. A process for democratically electing, on an annual basis, a board or officers representing a fair cross-section of the business community.

i. Other activities as described in the association's goals.

Interaction between neighborhood and business associations is highly encouraged to best serve the community needs.

For more information, contact Judy Moses at (612) 673-5283.

Online information from the City of Minneapolis at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped

Updated August 20, 2009