Bloomington Supports Small Businesses

Hatch Bloomington – A pitch competition, winner receives $100,000 towards a brick-and-mortar location.

SAC Met Council Small Business Citywide Credit Program – Allows for up to five (5) SAC unit credits for qualified businesses (each unit is worth $2,485 in 2025).

SAC Met Council Small Business Deferral Program –Allows small businesses to defer SAC payments for five years at a low interest rate (2.12% in 2025).

Site & Façade Improvement Program – Grant program with 1:1 match, $5,000-$24,999 (project must be minimum $10,000 up to $50,000+).

Business Retention Program – Forgivable one-year loan allowing up to $15,000 for moving expenses of a tenant/small business if dislocated due to private redevelopment.

NEW SAC City Fees – Credit program expected in 2026.

NEW Micro-Loan or Micro-Grant Program – Expected in 2026.

Elevate Hennepin – No cost technical assistance to small businesses through Hennepin County’s platform.

Bloomington Business Connections – No cost business networking events in partnership with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber.

CEO Start – No cost 10-week cohort program for budding entrepreneurs and small business owners in partnership with Hennepin County.

CEO Now – No cost 7-month cohort program for newer business owners in partnership with Hennepin County.

CEO Next – No cost 8-month cohort program for established business owners in partnership with Hennepin County.

CEO Start Bootcamp – No cost 2-day bootcamp, condensed version of the full CEO Start Program.

HR Next – No cost 8-month cohort program for established businesses facing workforce challenges.

Certified Access Academy – No cost 6-week program that are interested in attaining CERT and/or Minnesota Office of State Procurement certifications.

NEW Bloom & Grow small business pilot series – Expected 2026, provide a space where entrepreneurs and small business owners can learn, network, and receive business support at varying locations throughout our community (replaces Welcoming Wednesdays which was a free drop-in for technical business assistance at Civic Plaza, discontinued August 2025)

City navigation – Staff point person serves as direct liaison to the business community to guide them through the permitting process, answer questions, and connect them with resources.

Business Engagement Visits – Monthly direct visits to businesses conducted by staff, accompanied by technical advisors.

City process improvements – Formalized process for staff to identify regulations that limit small business growth and assess opportunities for improvement.

Business welcomes – Visit new businesses if desired and provide resources and connections. Alert Communications and participate in groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings as requested.

Business Resources E-Subscribe Newsletter –Summarize and send focused communications through a periodic e-newsletter with over 2,500 subscribers.

Bloom in Bloomington – A youth internship program, matching 16-24 year olds with local businesses and local government.

Bloomington Economic Partnership – A public-private partnership between the City, large employers, community organizations, regional economic development partners, government, and academic institutions.

Bloomington Means Business – Video series to highlight locally owned businesses.