In August, the Metropolitan Council and three Hmong organizations will hold a business and workforce opportunity session featuring the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit project. This is the Met Council’s fourth large community meeting in less than a year for minority-owned, women-owned and small businesses or job seekers to learn about job opportunities on the biggest public works project in state history. The latest session is targeted at Hmong business owners and Hmong workforce advocates who have an interest in ensuring Hmong inclusion in the Central Corridor LRT line’s construction, which will begin in late summer 2010. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Aug. 12 at Lao Family Community of Minnesota Inc. at 320 W. University Ave. in St. Paul. To register, contact Lu Hang at the Hmong Chamber of Commerce by Aug. 6 by email or by phone at 651-645-6777. To read more about the Met Council’s outreach to disadvantaged business enterprises, read the council’s new DBE Newsletter. To get the latest information about the Light Rail Transit project, read the Met Council’s monthly Central Corridor newsletter, Making Tracks.
Archive for July, 2009
Central Corridor Updates
Jul 20
Rendering from St. Paul Downtown Station Area Plan by Urban Strategies
Don’t forget to check the Regional Rail web site frequently for updates on the Central Corridor light rail project, now that preliminary construction work has begun. New on the site are updates on soil boring work that will affect parking along the entire route through November, and a reminder about the approaching deadline for public comment on the Final Environmental Impact Statement. Also, be sure to follow @RamseyCounty on Twitter and to subscribe to Central Corridor project updates by email on GovDelivery.
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Renovated and Ready
Jul 17
1455 Larpenteur Ave., Maplewood
Ramsey County’s Housing and Redevelopment Agency has completed the first rehabilitated home in its program to address foreclosures in the suburban part of the county. The program currently focuses on areas in Maplewood and Little Canada that have the highest numbers of foreclosed properties in the county’s suburbs. This house at 1455 Larpenteur Ave. received upgraded plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems, paint, carpets and garage siding. It is for sale to a first-time home buyer. The HRA hopes to replicate the process with an additional five properties using Neighborhood Stabilization funding. Proceeds from the sale of properties will be reinvested in additional projects. To find out more about the rehabbed home offered for sale at 1455 Larpenteur Ave. E., Maplewood, click here.
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Image by Urban Strategies
The Met Council will hold a women- and minority-owned business workshop at 6 p.m. August 12 at Lao Family Community, 320 University Ave. Email or call Lu Hang at (651) 645-6777 for more information. Click here for the event announcement flier.
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Click on the Business tab at the top of this page for a list of green energy contracts available from the federal government over the next several months. Included in each item is the deadline for submission of proposals, a contact person and a link to a complete RFP.
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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contains many provisions to support and enhance small business. A major focus of the act is in promoting access to credit and capital. Here’s some more information on these programs from Congresswoman Betty McCollum, followed by contact info for the local Small Business Administration office:
Rep. McCollum
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which Congress passed and the President signed into law in February, is expected to generate $21 billion in new lending and investment for entrepreneurs.
What the ARRA does for small business owners:
• Provides interest-free loans of $35,000, giving small firms an immediate cash injection to cover existing debts. The funds can be used to pay down business obligations. Entrepreneurs that take advantage of this program will have one year before they would need to begin loan repayment and up to five years before they need to fully repay the loan.
• Makes it easier for small business owners to get Small Business Administration (SBA)-backed loans. Raising the amount of the government guarantee on SBA-backed loans will encourage banks to lend to small businesses again and get credit flowing to entrepreneurs, again.
• Reduces the costs of loans for small business borrowers. By cutting the upfront costs borrowers pay as well as service costs associated with loans, small businesses will find credit more affordable. This means a small business can access capital now and will have to pay back less as they repay the loan.
• Allows the Small Business Administration to unfreeze the credit market. Like other credit markets, the market for small business loans is clogged. Addressing this problem will also help small businesses access the credit and capital they need to not just stay afloat, but grow and succeed.
• Helps small firms raise equity capital. Many fast-growing small businesses rely on equity capital for financing. The ARRA expands options for small businesses seeking investment capital. For instance, the bill simplifies rules for Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), which often invest in small firms at the earliest stages of their growth.
For more information:
SBA Minnesota District Office
100 North Sixth Street
Suite 210-C Butler Square
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403
Ph: (612) 370-2324
Fax: (612)370-2303
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From the Mesabi Daily News:
Oberstar confident of Midwest rail plan/Congressman believes it’s positioned well for $8 billion
WASHINGTON — Will the federal $4 billion high-speed rail initiative be launched in California or the Midwest, which would then touch on Minnesota?
Rep. Oberstar
The answer is clear to U.S. Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., who is chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. And it’s not just because of the Chisholm native ‘s obvious affinity for the nation’s Heartland. It’s because he believes Midwest officials have done their homework and the area is far ahead of California on the issue.
“This really should be called the Rudy Perpich high-speed initiative. The former governor (of Minnesota from Hibbing) and I talked about it back in 1989 and ‘90. I think it’s looking very good for the Midwest to get the high-speed initiative,” Oberstar said in a recent interview.
Karen Rae, deputy administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, said recently that the Midwestern states’ proposal and one from California are the leading candidates for $8 billion in stimulus money for a new high-speed rail project. She cited the cooperation of eight Midwest states to formulate a network plan with Chicago as a hub and 12 metropolitan areas — including the Twin Cities — within a 400 mile-radius.
Read the whole article here.
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From the On Board Midwest blog:
The Minnesota Ports Association, a statewide group, has unanimously passed a resolution supporting On Board Midwest, a growing coalition to create a high-speed rail connection between St. Paul and Chicago. The Minnesota Ports Association was created in 1994 to help secure support and funding to maintain and improve the inland rivers and Great Lakes port facilities in Minnesota. The members understand how important it is for Minnesota to have efficient and economical ways to transport goods from Minnesota farmers and manufacturers to worldwide markets.
In addition to bringing new passenger options, a new high-speed rail connection will improve and expand the freight rail capabilities in our region.
Members of the Minnesota Ports Association
• Saint Paul Port Authority
• Minneapolis Port Authority
• Winona Port Authority
• Red Wing Port Authority
• Duluth Port Authority
For more information, contact Dennis Egan at 612-325-1330 or by email.
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