Small Business Updates from the City of Minneapolis

Small business 3
Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Federal COVID Relief Funding Updates  

SBA’s Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) opens April 8

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced that applications for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program through the American Rescue Plan Act will open on April 8, 2021.

Eligible applicants include:
-Venues and organizations that produce and perform live shows
-Movie theaters, museums, zoos and aquariums that meet certain criteria
-Talent representatives  

Applicants with up to 50 employees may apply for a single award equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue in 2019, with a maximum grant award of $10 million.

There are two upcoming webinars to learn more:

SBA (national)
Tuesday, March 301:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Register for the webinar

SBA Minnesota District Office and University of St Thomas Small Business Development Center
Hosted by Minneapolis Regional Chamber
Wednesday, March 31
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Register | Learn more about SVOG

Last chance to apply for Paycheck Protection Program
Person in front of computer
The last day to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program is March 31. Learn more

Economic Injury Disaster Loans still available
The U.S. Small Business Administration is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Learn more

Find information about unemployment benefits for self-employed entrepreneurs and independent contractors

Self-employed entrepreneurs, independent contractors, gig workers, and others who are not typically eligible for regular unemployment benefits may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Expanded PUA coverage has been extended by Congress through early September 2021. Self-employed and other eligible workers must first apply for regular unemployment benefits before qualifying for PUA.
Learn more and apply for PUA benefits
View other worker supports

City Council approves hospitality worker right to recall ordinance
The City Council has approved a hospitality worker right to recall ordinance. The ordinance is designed to ensure that certain hospitality industry employers welcome back former employees as more COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift in coming months.
Hotel and event center employers covered by the ordinance must give priority to their laid-off employees when hiring. The ordinance applies to hotels with more than 50 guest rooms and event centers with at least 50,000 rentable square feet or 2,000 fixed seats located within Minneapolis. It applies to employees who worked for at least six months between March 13, 2019, and March 13, 2020, at a covered hotel or event center, and who were laid off after March 13, 2020, due to an economic, non-disciplinary reason.
More Information

Space still available for Cooperative Feasibility Class – register today
CTAP logo with the letter C in a green circle and a blue rectangle connected to the green circle
Registration is now open for the C-TAP Cooperative Feasibility Class which be presented in four sessions on Wednesday evenings 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. beginning April 7, 2021. This class will equip participants with tools to evaluate their co-op idea and/or refine their model for those that are already in the process of incorporation. Class topics will include:
-Introduction of the cooperative business model
-Building a democratic community and feasibility study
-Co-op governance and legal framework
-Introduction to financial feasibility
The class will be limited to 10 – 12 groups. The class will be run virtually and more information will be sent upon acceptance into the class. Registration will close on March 31, 2021

City seeking partners for City-owned parklets for 2021 season
The City of Minneapolis is seeking community partners to host City-owned parklets for the 2021 season. Parklets are unique public gathering spaces built in the right-of-way with seating, plantings and other amenities.
Neighborhood organizations, street-level businesses, nonprofits, community organizations and Special Service Districts are encouraged to apply to host a City-owned parklet. The application deadline is Friday, April 23. The City has three parklets to find hosts for.
The goal of the parklet program is to activate community corridors with fun public spaces that make neighborhoods more vibrant and support local businesses. Find more information about the parklet host application process on the City’s website or by contacting parklets@minneapolismn.gov.

B-TAP Notice of Funding Availability- deadline extended to April 5
All organizations and consultants, both non-profit or for-profit, can now apply for all three B-TAP funding categories:
-Micro-enterprise Support
-Small Business Support
-Cooperative Support
Micro-enterprise support contracts had previously been limited to only non-profit providers.  CDBG income and micro-enterprise requirements* will still apply to entrepreneurs receiving technical assistance support in this category.  We will be extending the submission deadline for all applications to Monday, April 5 at 4:00 p.m. because of the change.  Completed applications should be emailed to btap@minneapolismn.gov. The amended NOFA, application, and Q&A documents can be found on the City’s Community Development and RFP’s web page, under “Business Assistance.”
*Clients must be at or below 80% AMI and the business must have 5 or fewer employees

Lake Street construction resumes April 5, 2021
La construcción de Lake St. Se reanudará el 5 de abril
MnDOT (el Departamento de Transporte de Minnesota, por sus siglas en inglés) y el contratista ofrecerán una jornada de puertas abiertas virtual el martes, 30 de marzo, de 3:00 a 4:00 de la tarde.
Ojala pueda asistir, para informarse, hacer preguntas o sugerencias.
Se espera que las obras de la Lake Street se terminen en septiembre del 2021.

Event password: Lake
Call-in option: 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 824 5988 9008
Passcode: 614759

Si no le es posible asistir a la jornada de puertas abiertas virtual, se puede comunicar con nosotros a través de la línea directa del proyecto en el 612-284-6125, o a través del correo electrónico del proyecto:

Mail to: info@35w94.commndot.gov/35w94Lake Street construction resumes April 5, 2021MnDOT invites you to an Online Business Open House Tuesday, March 30 | 3-4 p.m.
Hear from project sta­ff and ask your Lake St. construction questions in a live meeting.

Work on Lake St. is expected to be completed in Sept. 2021

Event password: Lake
Call-in option: 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 824 5988 9008
Passcode: 614759

For questions regarding the Lake St. construction or the 35W@94 Downtown to Crosstown project: info@35w94.commndot.gov/35w94

City of Minneapolis logo

For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact kelly.stacken@minneapolismn.gov
People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000.
TTY users can call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626.
Para asistencia 612-673-2700, Yog xav tau kev pab, hu 612-673-2800, Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500.

minneapolismn.gov
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