Business Resource Center
The City is dedicated to uplifting and supporting our business community. We are committed to working with you whether you have an existing business in the city or are thinking of relocating and joining our community.
Business Survey
The City hired The Morris Leatherman Company (MLC) to conduct a randomized survey of Bloomington businesses with the goal of using feedback to address issues that are important to the local business community. The City worked with MLC to determine the areas of focus for questions and MLC wrote the questions and conducted phone calls to ask these questions. The survey took place in June and July.
MLC chose about 400 businesses using random sampling. Business owners and managers were asked the questionaire by MLC trained and supervised personnel and was conducted in English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish. To ensure the integrity of the sample, MLC places the most exacting sampling standards in the industry on their procedures. The City of Bloomington will be presented with the final report with results aggregated and anonymous.
- Survey results
- Executive Summary of the Final Report
- Final Report
Free Programs
- CEO Next - free program offering tools and techniques for CEOs who are growing or expanding their business
- Elevate Business Hennepin County - offers businesses in Hennepin County free advising and other resources to help them recover from the pandemic and build for future growth
- Elevate Business YouTube – free video library archive of webinar and learning opportunities
- MnDOT Micro Grants – free financial assistance available for small businesses to increase their capacity and eligibility for MnDOT contracts, through April 29, 2022 or until funding is used up
- Open to Business - Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers and Hennepin County offers free business technical assistance through this program
- SciTech Internship Program – free resource of a wage match to cover 50% of a college STEM intern’s wages, up to $2,500, ongoing program
- SCORE Twin Cities – help small businesses get off the ground and achieve their goals through education and mentorship; mentoring and learning services at no charge, including free, confidential business mentoring with SCORE certified business mentors, free business workshops, free webinars (online 24/7); online resource library with free business tools, useful templates and business development resources
- Xcel Energy for Businesses – variety of rebates and programs to assist businesses
Other Programs
- Boots to Business – B2B is an entrepreneurial education and training program for active duty service members, veterans, and spouses
- Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program – Loans from $5,000-$150,000 for qualified small business owners
- Great Plains Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Center - tips for addressing ADA issues
- Hennepin County Patent and Trademark Resource Center – programs and assistance on navigating patenting and trademarking processes
- Minnesota Council of Non-Profits
- Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) - tools for businesses in Minnesota
- Minnesota Unemployment Insurance: Shared work – alternative to layoff program information
- Small Business Development Centers – provide professional services at no cost to participants. Training programs and specialized projects or services are provided either at no cost or for a small fee
- U.S. Small Business Administration – small business program information
Home businesses in Bloomington are subject to regulation to ensure that they are imperceptible from normal residential activity, secondary and incidental to the residential use, and do not adversely affect the health safety and welfare of other persons residing in the area. Some types of home businesses are not allowed in Bloomington, and other types of home businesses require a Conditional Use Permit prior to operation.
You can find more information about home businesses at this link: Starting a Home Business
If you have questions about the regulations pertaining to home businesses, contact the Planning Division at (952) 563-8920.
- African Development Center of Minnesota (ADC) - assists Minnesota's African community in financial literacy and business development
- Black Women's Wealth Alliance (BWWA) - assists Black women to obtain economic stability
- Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL) - supports Asian Minnesotan organizations providing accessible, in-language support
- ConnextMSP – a network to recruit, hire and support young professionals of color
- Latino Economic Development Center - business support for the Latino community
- Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) - helps minority entrepreneurs with services and support
- New American Development Center (NADC) - supports the East African/Somali immigrant community
- Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota - or call 651-641-1011; services are free for those who qualify
- Minnesota Department of Human Rights - 1-833-454-0148 discrimination helpline
- LawHelp MN - information on filing for unemployment benefits in English, Spanish / Español, Somali / Soomaali, Hmong / Hmoob
- Minnesota Unemployment Insurance: information about benefits that you may qualify for
Bloomington Collective: Stories of Solidarity, featuring local BIPOC-owned businesses
- Community Commons – Sept 29, 2021
- Agape African Market - November 15, 2021
- Mhiripiri Gallery - December 10, 2021
- Luro Boots - January 14, 2022