Spring 2024
3M Open Continues Good Deeds through #GolfThatMatters
The 3M Open golf tournament takes place each July, but the 3M Open’s local charitable giving continues throughout the year. Last month, the 3M Open presented a check for $365,000 to M Health Fairview for their initiatives to provide life-changing care. This contribution follows a November donation of $115,000 to First Tee of Minnesota, a youth development organization that introduces kids to the game of golf. Over the last six years, the 3M Open has donated over $7 million to local charities, including several in Blaine and Anoka County.
The 3M Open is only three months away. For residents looking to get more involved in the tournament, volunteer registration has opened.
To learn more about volunteering or to register, visit 3MOpen.com/Volunteer
promote
job creation.
loans may
used for existing buildings or land, new facilities, equipment, and the improvement and modernization of land, streets, utilities, parking lots, landscaping, and more. Congratulations to Village Bank on this accomplishment. Businesses like yours help the Blaine business community thrive and grow!
Erik Thorvig Community Development Director
763-785-6147
EThorvig@BlaineMN.gov
Ruth Tucker Economic Development Specialist
763-717-2778
RTucker@BlaineMN.gov
Shelia Sellman City Planner
763-785-6198
SSellman@BlaineMN.gov
Michelle Wolfe City Manager
763-785-6120
MWolfe@BlaineMN.gov
May is Small Business Month
Register Your Small Business to be Highlighted
Small businesses are the life-blood of our community. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business and they create nearly two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. Small business plays such a crucial role in our economy. National Small Business week is the first week of May, but in Blaine we celebrate all month long.
Register your small business to be highlighted at BlaineMN.gov/BusinessProfile
Follow along on the BlaineBizMN social media channels as we shine a light on Blaine small businesses all month long.
Anoka County Revolving Loan Fund
Offers 4 Percent Interest for Small Businesses to Grow and Expand
Anoka County has lowered the interest rate on its Revolving Loan Fund to a low 4 percent on loans up to $175,000. The Revolving Loan Fund is available to private, for-profit businesses located in Anoka County that intend to create or retain permanent jobs. Loan funds may be used to assist small businesses by providing financial assistance for a number of activities including: redevelopment to prevent or eliminate blight, code compliance, recruitment and retention through housing initiatives, and more.
For more information on this program contact Carrie Mikkonen, Open to Business Advisor for Anoka County at cmikkonen@mccdmn.org
DEED Provides Business Reimbursement for Reasonable Accommodations for Employees
Through the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) small to mid-sized Minnesota businesses can request reimbursements of up to $30,000 in expenses related to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants and employees with disabilities. Some examples of reasonable accommodations include ergonomic workstations, specialized software, captioning services, special equipment, and much more.
In addition to processing reimbursements, the ERAF Coordinator is available for technical assistance and consultation at no cost to employers. Assistance includes understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act, consulting on how to locate, purchase, and implement reasonable accommodations, connecting employers to disability-related trainings and resources, and answering questions about the ERAF.
Learn more at BlaineMN.gov/ERAF
You may also contact DEED at 651-539-2390 or at eraf.deed@state.mn.us
Impacted by Winter Drought Conditions?
Businesses Encouraged to Apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Minnesota has unlocked federal funding for small businesses impacted by this winter’s historic drought conditions. Amid the warmest winter on record, federal Economic Injury Disaster loans are available. Impacted businesses in counties with a drought declaration can apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) through the Small Business Administration (SBA). The loans are designed to help businesses get through emergency situations that have impacted their economic well-being. Under the EIDL program, businesses can borrow up to $2 million to cover their actual losses. Businesses pay no interest on the loan for the first year and a maximum rate of four percent for the rest of the loan period. In order to take advantage of the program, businesses must apply by the application deadline of May 28, 2024 for both Anoka and Ramsey Counties. Submit applications and find additional disaster assistance information at Lending.SBA.gov Applicants may also contact Minnesota’s Small Business Development Centers and SBA’s Customer Service Center at DisasterCustomerService@SBA.gov. You can also call 800-659-2955 from 7AM – 7PM Monday through Friday. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services.
Blaine Festival Seeks Business Vendors and Parade Floats
Is your business interested in a new, unique way to put your name out in the community? Look no further than the Blaine Festival, Blaine’s largest annual community celebration. The Blaine Festival will be held at Aquatore Park Friday, June 28- Sunday, June 30 with the parade at noon on Saturday, June 29.
For more information or to register your business, visit BlaineFestival.org.
Do you want to connect with other Blaine businesses and hear about updates in the community? The Blaine Business Council is open to all Blaine businesses and is held quarterly at the TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. The meetings start at 7:30AM, no RSVP is necessary and we hope you can attend.
Help You Start and Grow Your Business Anoka County Library has a variety of resources available to entrepreneurs and local businesses to help grow your business.
Library cards are available for all Anoka County residents and businesses and can be obtained by visiting an Anoka County Library branch or online at AnokaCountyLibrary.org
Library card holders have access to a variety of resources including databases, LinkedIn Learning, events, and classes, Data Axle to help you find customers, various test preps for licensing, books and electronic magazines, legal and tax information, business and consumer guides, access to online newspapers like the Star Tribune, and more.
To get started visit AnokaCountyLibrary.com or visit your local branch and speak with a librarian.
State Emergency Operations Center
Construction has Started on New Facility in Blaine
Construction has started on Pheasant Ridge Drive for the State of Minnesota’s new State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). The SEOC activates during times of disaster or emergency. It serves as the hub for state agencies and their partners to support local government and coordinate response efforts.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic the State Emergency Operations Center was active for 479 days to support the Minnesota Department of Health. While active for COVID-19, the SEOC also dealt with 10 natural disasters, civil unrest, and peace keeping efforts in Minnesota. All that emergency time activity will now move from downtown St. Paul to Blaine.
Construction on the new 37,000 square-foot facility started late in 2023. This facility will employ 65 Homeland Security and Emergency Management employees daily and will accommodate 150 to 200 people when activated. This facility is slated for completion in 2025.
The Rusty BumbleBee
Wins STARR Award
The Rusty BumbleBee: Self Pour Tap House is a winner of the 2023 Minnesota Shopping Center Association’s Shopping Center Tribute Award for Retail Real Estate for Interior Design: Quick Service/Fast Casual/Fast Food. Projects in the Quick Service/Fast Casual/Fast Food category were judged on general aesthetics and design, innovative use of materials, functionality of layout, concept implementation, construction issues, interior lighting, and overall image.
Congratulations to The Rusty Bumblebee! Visit the TheRustyBeeTapHouse.com for more information.
Participate in Bike to Work Week
Anoka County Commute Solutions Seeking Local Businesses
In honor of National Bike Month, Anoka County Commute Solutions is holding Bike to Work Week May 13-17 and is seeking local employers to participate. When businesses register to host an event at their organization, Commute Solutions will provide you with swag bags, event support, and free t-shirts for everyone who participates.
For more information visit BlaineMN.gov/2024BiketoWorkWeek
Businesses looking to encourage employees to bike to work beyond Bike to Work month may also participate in the free bike rack program. This cost shared program provides a free bike rack to local Anoka County businesses. The business covers the cost of installation.
To apply for a free bike rack at your facility, visit AnokaCountyMN.gov/Transit Anoka County Commute Solutions is a Transportation Management Organization that strives to reduce congestion, improve mobility and air quality, and educate employers and their employees about transportation options.
