Government programs to power your small business
We offer a convenient listing of government-run resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find information about:
- City-based low-interest loan programs
- Workforce development
- Incentives for energy efficiency, recycling, and foreign trade
- Library resources
- Guides to opening and scaling a business, and more
Connect with a resource below to help you identify and plan for your next critical step.
Not sure where to start? Schedule a one-on-one consultation with a Business Navigator.
Government resources
Alternative financing for Minneapolis retail, service or light manufacturing.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Immigrant
Speaks English
Ascent Online Digital Learning Platform
A digital, on-demand platform designed to help women entrepreneurs learn critical information.
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Specialties
Women
Speaks English
Guidance and connection for Minnesota-based tech startups.
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Specialties
Idea stage businesses
Speaks English
Brooklyn Center Revolving Loan Program
Low-interest loans to incentivize Brooklyn Center businesses to update their buildings.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Brooklyn Center Small Business Microloans
Commercial and private microloans for small businesses in Brooklyn Center.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Brooklyn Park real estate/equipment loan
Alternative real-estate and fixed-asset loans for Brooklyn Park businesses.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Financial support for job-creating redevelopment projects.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Central Certification (CERT) Program
Small business certification for minority-owned, women-owned and emerging small businesses.
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Specialties
Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
CEO Next Business Institute is a regional county partnership program that provides practical tools and techniques for CEOs, designed specifically for growing regional second stage businesses.
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Specialties
Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Explore, validate, and develop a plan to turn your idea into a viable business.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Cohort opportunity to guide Women of Color-owned businesses through certification to work with governments and enterprises.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses; Women; African American or Black; Latinx
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
City of Dayton Revolving/Low Interest Loan Fund
Low-interest loans for high-priority areas in the City of Dayton.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
City of Hanover Low-Interest Loan Program
Low-interest loans for startups, expansions, and retentions in Hanover.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
City of Hanover Matching Grant Program
Matching grants to promote economic development and retention in Hanover.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Central Minnesota Development Company (CDMC)
Certified lender for business loans and financing advice for Minnesota business owners.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Commercial Property Development Fund
Patient debt capital and favorable terms for commercial real estate development and acquisition.
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Specialties
Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Common Bond Fund revenue program
Loans for growing manufacturing companies.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Community Entrepreneurship Program
Community Entrepreneurship Program
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Specialties
Idea stage businesses; Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Contracting with Hennepin County
Hennepin County buys goods and services through a cost-effective, competitive, and fair process accessible to all businesses.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Cultural Districts Interior Improvements-Forgivable Loan Pilot Program
Forgivable loans for building owners and commercial tenants along the Central Avenue Cultural District to improve interiors.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program
Loans for businesses and entrepreneurs from disadvantaged groups.
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Specialties
Veteran; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund
Reimbursement for Minnesota based small and midsize employers who provide reasonable accommodations to disabled job applicants and employees.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Financing support for child-care entrepreneurs to start, manage and grow sustainable businesses.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Reduce your cost of doing business internationally through the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ #119).
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Great Streets Facade Improvement Program
Matching grants to revitalize and sustain economic vitality in Minneapolis commercial districts.
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Specialties
Speaks English
Hennepin County Business Navigator
New to Elevate Hennepin? Connect with a Hennepin County Business Navigator to evaluate your needs.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Hennepin County Environment & Energy Hazardous Waste Training and Resources
Training, tips, templates, resources, and licensing information to help businesses that work with hazardous waste. <br/><br/>
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Hennepin County Food, Beverage, and Lodging Inspections
Hennepin County Environmental Health Services provides food, beverage, and lodging inspections as well as informational resources for those programs.
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Specialties
Restaurant sector
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Resource bank for patents and trademarks, industry reports and consumer profiles. Also find business planning tools. Hennepin County librarians additionally are available to help business owners access and navigate these resources.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Hennepin County Workforce Resources
Hennepin County workforce representatives can help your business connect with potential employees. Learn about resources throughout Hennepin County and receive in-depth analysis on employment data and trends that impact your business.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Loan program to support Indian-owned businesses across Minnesota.
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Specialties
Indigenous / Native American
Speaks English
Main Street Economic Revitalization Grants
Revitalization grants for businesses impacted by COVID-19 and unrest along key business corridors.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Minneapolis Cultural Market Grant Program
The City of Minneapolis has allocated funds to cultural mall operators, to help maintain the vibrancy, security, and commerce of cultural malls located within the City of Minneapolis.
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Specialties
African American or Black; Asian and Pacific Islander; Immigrant; Indigenous / Native American; Latinx; LGBTQIA+
Speaks English
Low-interest loans to finance equipment and building improvements in Minneapolis.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Financing for renewable energy improvements.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce
Promoting American Indian businesses with advising and connection.
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Specialties
Indigenous / Native American
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Small Business Support Resources
Lending resources, one-on-one advising, and events to support emerging small business owners.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Financing for Minnesota companies to expand, add workers, and retain high-quality jobs.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Loan fund dedicated to spurring economic growth by financing job-creating businesses.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Minnesota Main Street Economic Revitalization Program
Grants for nonprofits helping meet development and redevelopment needs in the wake of COVID-19.
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Specialties
Speaks English
The Center for Energy & the Environment
Xcel Energy and the Center for Energy and Environment offer lighting efficiency rebates and support for businesses in Minnesota.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Procurement support for economically disadvantaged or veteran-owned businesses working with Minnesota government.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
MNUCP Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
An organization dedicated to creating equal opportunity for Disadvantage Business Enterprises in highway, transit, and airport projects.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Research and Development Tax Credit
Tax credits for research and development activities across Minnesota.
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Specialties
Speaks English
Reservist and Veteran Business Loan Program
Loans to support companies with employees called to active duty and veterans returning from active duty.
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Specialties
Veteran
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Richfield Displaced Business Grant Program
Grants to support businesses that must move as a result of redevelopment projects in Richfield.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Loans to support growing businesses in their acquisition of major fixed assets such as land, buildings, machinery, and equipment.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
The gold standard of Small Business Administration loans.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
SBA Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program
Loans and grants to fuel small business growth in historically underutilized business zones.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
<br/>Loans of up to $50,000 through Small Business Administration intermediaries.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
SBA Small Disadvantaged Business
Federal contracts for small disadvantaged businesses.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
SBA T.H.R.I.V.E - Emerging Leaders Reimagined
Executive-level training to accelerate the growth of high-potential small businesses.
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Specialties
Disadvantaged businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
SBA Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program
Federal contracts for small, women-owned businesses.
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Specialties
Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
SBIR-STTR Funding for High-Tech Companies
Support for startups transforming high risk, high-impact technologies into marketable products and services.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees)
Speaks English
Scott County Center for Entrepreneurship
Supporting growth of emerging businesses in Scott County.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
St. Louis Park Revolving Loan Fund
Financing and commercial lending for St. Louis Park businesses.
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Specialties
Veteran; Women
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
St. Louis Park Two Percent Loan Program
Low-interest loans for new and existing business and property owners in St. Louis Park.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Small Business Development Center
Statewide network of professional business consultants that offer advising and funding assessment to businesses from startup to growth.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Small Business Technical Assistance Program (B-TAP)
Consulting and technical assistance to support Minneapolis entrepreneurs and established businesses.
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Specialties
Co-op businesses; Restaurant sector; Social impact businesses
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Idea stage businesses; Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English
Small Developers Technical Assistance Program (D-TAP)
Technical assistance for small, women-owned, and minority-owned business in Minneapolis.
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Specialties
Women
Speaks English
Financial aid and technical assistance to Minnesota small businesses exporting products or services to foreign markets.
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Specialties
Speaks English
Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
Loans and grants to support veteran-owned small businesses.
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Specialties
Veteran
Speaks English
West Bank Business Association
Agency supporting economic development of the West Bank district via advising and connecting.
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Specialties
Nonprofit sector
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)
Speaks English; Speaks another language; Speaks Somali; Speaks Spanish
West Broadway Business and Area Coalition (WBC)
Technical assistance and financial resources to support businesses along the West Broadway Corridor in North Minneapolis.
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Specialties
Early growth businesses (1-9 employees); Second stage businesses (10+ employees); Startup businesses (0 employees)