In partnership with Council Member Cano, the University of Minnesota’s Weisman Art Museum, and the Minnesota Design Center (MDC), there is a series of workshops on alternative economic development models.
 
Workshop 5: December 17th, 2 – 4 pm
The future of commercial nodes in an era of online shopping. https://umn.zoom.us/j/92067233761#success
Workshop 6: January 7th, 2 – 4 pm
The future transportation and goods distribution in an era of autonomous vehicles and the delivery economy.
https://umn.zoom.us/j/93070106617#success

The U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS issued guidance on Nov.18 further clarifying that:

• Expenses paid with forgiven Paycheck Protection Program loans will not be deductible; and
• Borrowers whose PPP forgiveness is at least partially denied, or who opt to forgo forgiveness, may deduct such expenses in the tax year they decide to forgo the forgiveness. Read more.

Read Treasury Secretary Mnuchin's related statement.

Minnesota Department of Human Rights Civil Rights Investigation into Minneapolis Police Department. Tuesday, December 15 is the last day community members have to share any relevant story, regardless of experience or outcome, about the Minneapolis Police Department.
Thank you to everyone who already shared their story since our Department launched the civil rights investigation in June. Stories are used to inform the investigation and no one's personal information will be shared at the end of the investigation. 

Want to share your story?Online: You can submit information on this form that will go directly to our investigators. The form is available in English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish. 
Phone: Call us at 651-539-1100. When prompted, press 3 to leave a voicemail to submit information. Our investigators are listening to the messages on a regular basis.

Check out a few additional trainings from our partners that you can take advantage of:

• Know Your Numbers (SCORE)
  Dec. 8, 10 a.m.; Register
• The 5 Step Marketing Strategy During a Pandemic
  Dec. 8, 1 p.m.; Register
• Marketing Plan Basics (SCORE) 
  Dec 8, 12 p.m.; Register
• Year-End Financial Playbook (SCORE)
  Dec. 9, 9 a.m.; Register
• Credit Card Processing Secrets that will Save Your Small Business BIG Money (SCORE)
  Dec. 10, 1 p.m.; Register

Check out a few additional trainings from our partners that you can take advantage of:

• Scale Smart: Where to Start (SCORE)
  Dec. 1, 12 p.m.; Register
• Scrappy Branding (SCORE)
  Dec. 2, 12 p.m.; Register
• Small Business Tax Workshop (SCORE)
  Dec. 3, 2 p.m.; Register
• How to Project Cash Flow to Run or Save Your Business (SCORE)
  Dec. 3, 9 a.m.; Register
• Marketing: Identify Your Ideal Client (SCORE)
  Dec. 3, 12 p.m.; Register
• Transform Your Business and Create a Winning Culture
  Dec. 3, 2 p.m.; Register

Elevate Business HC is excited to introduce its series of free topic-driven webinars featuring industry and subject matter experts that will discuss issues facing employers with a focus on workforce needs in remote environments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar series runs from Tuesday, Dec. 1 through Thursday, Dec.10. Topics will include:

• Technology in the Age of COVID: Managing and Streamlining Platforms
• Human Resources: An Overview of Hiring Practices in the Virtual Age
• Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing: Build your Resilience

Register now
Elevate Business HC also has technical assistance offerings and peer roundtables. Visit https://www.elevatebusinesshc.com/home to learn more and register your business today.

Join the pros at Two Bettys for a quick and informative training session to talk all things cleaning in the time of COVID.  We've been professionally green cleaning for over 14 years and are excited and honored to be able to support our fellow local businesses and organizations with this training.  We'll talk you through the process of cleaning and sanitizing, give you tips on cleaning efficiently and effectively, and dive into ways that you can clean for COVID - and not lose your sustainability and eco-friendly values while you do it.

Friday, December 4, 2020
9:30 - 10:30 am
Join with Google Meet: meet.google.com/etd-nhbj-cqd
Join by phone: +1 774-231-8817 (PIN: 302667158)

The challenges imposed over the last 9 months caused Peace Coffee to think through many scenarios for the coffee shops and weigh the impacts of each one. They are excited to announce that Wildflyer Coffee, a Minneapolis-based non-profit specialty coffee company dedicated to providing job stability to youth experiencing homelessness, will take over Wonderland Park operations and reopen under their name in December. PC will provide training and support for them and they will offer Peace Coffee when they open. Read the full story here. 

​While many nearby businesses are starting to reopen within the Hi-Lake corridor, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore reports their strongest months ever in Fall of 2020 for both sales and donation drop offs. The store paused with a COVID closure from March to June, but has been in high gear as of late. In addition, ReStore’s second location recently expanded by 50%. Whether shopping, donating or volunteering, please support this loyal Longfellow business that builds homes in your community!

To address the explosive growth of COVID-19 cases statewide, Governor Walz issued Emergency Order 20-96. State guidanceGuidance on the updated regulations can be found in the Industry Guidance for Safely Reopening: Restaurants and Bars (PDF).