Business Resources
The state of Minnesota offers a wide variety of assistance when expanding your business or starting a business in the state of Minnesota. Below are state programs to help you along the way! If you have any questions, please contact the Chamber, we are here to help you!
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
http://www.deed.state.mn.us
First National Bank Building
322 Minnesota Street, Ste. E-200
800.657.3858 or 651.297.1291
DEED is the states principal economic development agency. DEED focuses on programs to promote business recruitment, expansion, and retention as well as workforce development, international trade and community development. The agency’s mission is to support the economic success of individuals, businesses, and communities by improving opportunity for growth.
Business Development:
Bureau of Small Business 651.282.2103
Financial Assistance:
Department of Employment and Economic Development, MN Investment Fund, Rural Challenge Grant Program, and Tourism Loan Program 651.296.5337
Small Business Assistance Office 651.282.2103 or 800.657.3858
Minority Opportunities:
Urban Initiative Loan Program 651.297.1170
Procurement:
Small Business Procurement Program 651.296.2600
Rural Development:
Department of Employment and Economic Development 651.296.9090
Secretary of State Office
The Secretary of State, a statewide elected official, is the keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Minnesota, files and certifies the authenticity of a wide variety of documents. Business wise, the Secretary of State registers a wide variety of business organizations including corporations, assumed business names, banks, insurance companies, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships and limited partnerships. Other business-related filings include trade and service makers, auctioneers licenses, and legal newspaper restrictions among others. The Secretary of State also accepts service process on businesses under certain specific circumstances.
Contact Information:
www.sos.state.mn.us
180 State Office Building
100 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155-1299
Toll Free: 877.551.6767 or 651.296.2803
Other Key Resources for the State
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
400 Robert Street N. Ste. 1500
St. Paul, MN 55101
800.821.2230
SBA (Small Business Administration) District Office- Minneapolis
612.370.2324
U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center- Minneapolis
612.348.1638
U.S. Department of Agriculture State Office- St. Paul
651.602.7800
Internal Revenue Service
800.829.1040
Minnesota Small Business Development Centers
http://www.mnsbdc.com
651.297.5770
Chapters:
Bemidji 218.755.4255
Brainerd 218.825.8145
Duluth 218.726.7298
Ely 218.365.7218
Mankato 507.389.8875
Marshall 507.537.7386
Minneapolis 651.962.4505
Moorhead 218.236.2289
Owatonna 507.451.0517
Pine City 320.629.4510
Rochester 507.285.7425
Rushford 507.864.7557
St. Cloud 320.255.4842
Minnesota SCORE Chapters (Senior Core of Retired Executives):
Burnsville 952.890.7020
New Ulm 507.233.4300
Red Wing 651.388.4719
Rochester 507.288.8103
St. Cloud 320.240.1332
St. Louis Park 952.938.4570
St. Paul 651.932.8937
Resources for Women Business Owners
Over the last few decades’ entrepreneurship has changed the economic landscape of America. According to the SBA (Small Business Association) women are starting businesses at twice the rate of all other groups, and women-owned businesses now comprise 40% of all U.S. Companies. Women owned businesses are also more likely to remain businesses that those started by men. Today, approximately 9.2 million Americans now work for women-owned enterprises.
Because these successes by women are likely to not be ignored, there have been organizations created to help promote state women-owned businesses. Below are organizations created to help women in there entrepreneurial endeavors.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
409 Third Street SW
Washington D.C 20416
800.827.5722
http://www.sba.gov
Office of Women’s Business Ownership
The Office of Women’s Business Ownership is the primary advocate for the interest of women business owners and provides current and potential women business owner’s access to many services and programs.
202.205.6673
http://www.onlinewbc.gov
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
OSDBU is responsible for ensuring that an equitable share of their agencies’ contracts and subcontracts is awarded to small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses and women-owned businesses.
http://www.osdbu.gov
National Women’s Business Council
The National Women’s Business Council is a federal advisory council that provides independent advice and counsel to government officials on economic issues important to women business owners.
409 Third Street SW, Ste/ 210
Washington DC 20416
http://www.nwbc.gov
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
With 8,000 members and over 90 chapters across the U.S., NAWBO gives members opportunities on the local, state, regional and national level to network with other women entrepreneurs, educate and lobby various government officials and agencies as well as receive leadership training.
8405 Greensboro Dr., Ste. 800
McLean, VA 22102
703.506.3268
http://www.nawbo.org
State Resources for Women Business Owners
Department of Administration
(Certification) 651.296.2600
Minnesota Women’s Business Center
226 East First Street
Fosston, MN 56542
218.435.2134
WomenVenture
2324 University Ave. W. Ste. 200
St. Paul, MN 55114
651.646.3808
Northeast Entrepreneur Fund in Minnesota
8355 Unity Drive, Ste. 100
Virginia, MN 55792
218.726.4791
SBA Women’s Business Ownership Rep.- Minneapolis
612.370.2312
Minnesota Small Business Development Centers
http://www.mnsbdc.com
651.297.5773
City of Minneapolis Resources
City of Minneapolis Inspection, License and Consumer Center
612.673.2080
City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED)
612.673.5095