Economic Opportunity
Ward 9 is home to two beautiful cultural corridors that bring communities from all walks of life together. It is home to the heart of Minneapolis that has a story of struggle, love, pain, and a determination to build back. The Minneapolis City Council must advocate for policy that will strengthen our local economy and keep money circulating within our own communities.
Whether it is the constant fear of deportation at work, being scared to wake up to your small business being burned to the ground, or not being sure if you will be able to stay open or in business, it is the responsibility of the City of Minneapolis to keep everyone safe, healthy, and running. Here is our plan:
What We Did:
Rebuilding Lake Street: secured more than $3 million to help with the rebuilding of Ward 9 businesses.
Restoring the Coliseum Building: Approved a $1.5 million investment to help restore the historic Building to active and vibrant commercial use, which is located at 2708 E. Lake Street in the Longfellow Neighborhood.
MIGIZI Rebuilding Project: During the 2020 civil unrest, MIGIZI's building was burned down. We approved a $1 million forgivable Great Streets Gap Financing Loan to pay for construction costs related to their new building renovation and expansion project at 1845 E Lake St.
Supreme Proserv: During the 2020 civil unrest their property was set on fire. We approved $325,000 in a Commercial Property Development Fund (CPDF) Loan to assist in the acquisition of the commercial property located at 3101 Minnehaha Ave.
Monarcas LVC: During the civil unrest in 2020, this business was broken into and heavily impacted. We approved a $200,000 Commercial Property Development Fund (CPDF) loan to help with the acquisition of the commercial building at 513 E Lake St. It’s an existing multi-tenant retail building.
George Floyd Square Area Job Training: Passed a $300,000 budget amendment that will support programs for youth and adults living in and around the George Floyd Square area and 38th Street Cultural District. It will be used to support high wage jobs focused on various aspects of the Arts, Communications and theater production.
Pillsbury House + Theatre and Pillsbury Creative Commons Development: Passed a $150,000 budget amendment that is critical to the response, recovery and rebuilding efforts near George Floyd Square and the 38th Street Cultural District. This development includes space and resources for independent artists to grow their businesses; support for trained workers; space to build; new investments in community infrastructure that stabilize the neighborhood and build economic wellbeing for residents.
Latino Business Week: Secured funding to establish Latino Business Week in the Fall of 2024.
Minneapolis American Indian Center: Approved $1.5 million in funding for the expansion. It will help with Indigenous food, art, health programs, youth activities, employment and commerce.
Indigenous Peoples Task Force's Mikwanedun Audisookon Project: Approved $1,000,000 forgivable loan for this project located at 2313 13th Ave S. They will expand existing youth employment and internship programs, health education and services, and housing and environmental initiatives, while adding new innovative arts, food business incubator, and employment initiatives.
Business and Technical Assistance Program Expansion: Led the Council to pass $700,000 for cultural districts impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Small Business Support: Approved $400,000 in cultural market support that will assist BIPOC and immigrant owned businesses in malls impacted by pandemic.
Economic Development and Jobs: Secured $250,000 to create the Rise Up Center which will be a hub for employment training on Lake Street.
Small Business Payroll Provider and Compliance Subsidy: Supported the creation of a pilot program that will subsidize payroll and bookkeeping services for small businesses.
Labor Standards and Workers Center Co-Enforcement and Trafficking Prevention Expansion: Approved $750,000 in funding to ensure that workers' rights are being protected and enforced.
Youth Employment: Supported the Urban Scholars Program, which is a 12-week leadership and professional development summer program administered at various organizations by the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights. The program provides students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds with a distinctive professional experience focused on gaining essential leadership skills and creating career pathways to positions of influence.
Neighborhood Trash Pick-Up Program: Passed an amendment that will explore, design, and develop a neighborhood beautification and employment pathways program for unhoused community members, shelter residents, or those who are housing insecure to have an opportunity to get paid to clean up neighborhoods.
Intergovernmental Relations: Amended the City’ Legislative Agenda to support the full rebuilding and recovery of our cultural district and corridors.
Looking Ahead:
Local Emergency and COVID-19 Relief Fund: Support a fund for Small Businesses to help fix any damages immediately and support any loss due to the current pandemic.
Moratorium on Commercial Evictions: Support a city ordinance that will fight for small business owners so they do not have to close down their businesses.
Tax on the Wealthiest Corporations in Minneapolis while alleviating taxes on local businesses and investing that back into our community.
Anti-Gentrification: Block the sale of city-owned land for developments that would gentrify our community and pass advance notice of sale of commercial property.
Community Ownership of Buildings: fight to prevent gentrification and give power back to small business owners.
Livable Minimum Wage: Work with the community to start the process beyond the $15 minimum wage.
Disability Justice: ensure disability is not left out of our equity conversations. We can end the subminimum wage for people with disabilities and create more employment and economic opportunities for people with disabilities.
Overwork: Support overtime pay after working 40 hours per week.
Champion Fair Scheduling: Unstable and inconsistent working schedules make it hard for working people to live balanced lives, provide care, pursue higher education, and make it possible to hold other jobs if needed.
Sectoral Bargaining Boards: Support the creation of this board to ensure the voices of low-wage workers are not being silenced when negotiating safe workplace conditions and better wages.
One Day Off Per Week: Work on ordinances that will allow workers to demand one day off per week and to refuse clopens without facing retaliation.