$7 Million In East Metro Main Street Economic Revitalization Grants Awarded
The funding, from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, supports businesses and nonprofits that endured near insurmountable challenges the past two years after facing the pandemic, civil unrest and other obstacles.
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation (the Foundation) is proud to announce the 42 nonprofit organizations and businesses awarded grants through the East Metro Main Street Economic Revitalization Program in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
As of May 15, 2023, a total of $7 million in state funding has been awarded to projects in the Snelling-University-Rice Cultural District, the East Side community and along West Seventh Street. An additional $2.15 million was raised and distributed to further support applicants to meet program matching fund requirements and complete projects.
“The vitality of our East Metro community is important to the overall well-being of the Twin Cities and state of Minnesota,” said Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D., President & CEO of the Foundation.
“These grants are an investment in community vitality – and, more importantly, in the healing of Saint Paul’s business corridors, the livelihood and dreams of its residents, and in a more vibrant future for its businesses and nonprofits. We believe these businesses and organizations will continue to strengthen community connectedness, expand resources and opportunities, and we know that their presence represents an enduring faith in the future of these neighborhoods.”
The East Metro Main Street Economic Revitalization Program awarded grants to the following organizations:
African Economic Development Solutions (in support of Little Africa Plaza)
ARS Partnership, LLP
Black Hart of Saint Paul
Blendz Barbershop Minnesota, LLC
Brick by Brick MN, LLC
Checkerboard Pizza
Cook St. Paul, LLC (in support of Juche)
Dar's Double Scoop
Family Foods Market, LLC
Far East Bar & Restaurant
Hmong American Partnership
Hung Tu, Inc. (in support of Peking Garden Chinese Restaurant)
Indigenous Roots
It's a Wrap Hair Studio
Junior Achievement North
Keystone Community Services (in support of the Keystone Community Food Center)
La Palma Market
Latino Economic Development Center (in support of Plaza del Sol)
Listening House of St. Paul
Model Cities of St. Paul
Mu La Ya Phan Grocery
Nanny's Jamaican Kitchen
Neighborhood Development Center
Rhodes Food, LLC
Rolu, LLC (in support of Mi Linda Tierra)
Samson Upholstery, LLC
Sir Cerresso Fort Boxing and Fitness
Slice Pizza, LLC
Tee Pwo Market, LLC
That Property Place, LLC
The Sanneh Foundation
Udo's African Food
Ultimate Look, LLC
V & C Tasty, Inc. (in support of Little Szechuan)
V & I Best Steakhouse
Vang Property
Victoria Theater Arts Center
Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota
Wilandeth, LLC
Wildflyer Coffee
Wyld Chyldz Hair Studio
YT Eateries, LLC (in support of Swede Hollow Café)
“These grants are an investment in community vitality – and, more importantly, in the healing of Saint Paul’s business corridors.”
President & CEO Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D.
Thank You to Our Partners
The Foundation worked in partnership with the Asian Economic Development Association, East Side Neighborhood Development Company, NEOO Partners, Inc., Propel Nonprofits and the City of Saint Paul to provide business owners and nonprofits with technical assistance for projects throughout the application and award process. Collectivity, a cooperative social impact consulting group, served as project managers.
The program was also supported by funding from:
- Bush Foundation
- F. R. Bigelow Foundation
- Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Fund at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
- Mardag Foundation
- Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce
- Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
- Many other community and financial institutions
Grant dollars will fund a wide range of revitalization projects. 100% of the funded projects serve Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latino, new Americans, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQI communities, low-income communities or other communities that have been historically under- and dis-invested by traditional funding. More than 85% of the projects are owned or led by people of color. $3.7 million in grants went to nonprofits and $3.3 million to businesses, with $2.1 million specifically directed to small businesses.
Grant distribution began in December 2022, and all awarded grants will be paid by June 2025.
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