The City of Minneapolis is proposing an ordinance that would require customers to pay for bags at the point of purchase if they do not bring their own. 

Businesses with a point of sale system would be required to charge a minimum $.05 taxable fee for each bag, and itemize this purchase on receipts.

SWBA is seeking anonymous input from business owners in order to shape our advocacy efforts on this issue. Please take the survey (about 5 minutes to complete) at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SWBAbags by end of day Friday, March 29th!

Apply Now to Host a Parklet in 2019

The City is seeking community partners to host City-owned parklets for the 2019 season — a new opportunity for the parklet program that launched five years ago. Parklets are unique public gathering spaces built in the right-of-way with seating, plantings and other amenities for people to relax and enjoy city life. You might have enjoyed the cozy, beautiful parklet that Mel-O-Glaze hosted last year. Participants in the program said the parklets added color and vibrancy to the streetscape, promoted a sense of place and encouraged traffic to slow down. The goal of the parklet program is to activate community corridors with fun public spaces that make neighborhoods more vibrant and support local businesses. Neighborhood organizations, street-level businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations are encouraged to apply by April 5. City crews will setup the parklets at host locations in the spring after street sweeping is completed and will remove them in the fall. The City-owned parklets include the parklet structure (platform and planter boxes), plantings, chairs, tables, patio umbrellas and public parklet signage. Hosts are responsible for day-to-day maintenance, such as watering plants, picking up trash, taking down umbrellas on windy days, locking up tables and chairs when not in use and reporting any issues. Find more information about the parklet host application process on the City’s website or by contacting Kelsey Fogt at kelsey.fogt@minneapolismn.gov.

The winter parking ban was lifted this morning. You and your customers can once again park on the even side of the road, unless posted with signage.

35W Updates

Upcoming Closures

Expect a couple more overnight closures along 35W in coming days as Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) crews continue to work on the 28^th Street bridge. 35W will be closed in both directions between Interstate 94 and Highway 62 starting at 10 p.m. tonight, March 22, through 8 a.m. tomorrow, March 23. Both directions of traffic will be closed again between Interstate 94 and Highway 62 between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily from Monday, March 25 through Friday, March 29.  

Planned closures are subject to change based on weather and other variables. Be sure you’re in the loop on the latest updates by subscribing to MnDOT’s 35W email updates here.

SWBA is introducing business awards this year, and has extended the deadline to apply to March 28. Find details on our Awards page and apply today!

These awards will help to increase the professional image of our business district, and will provide a great PR opportunity for our finalists and winners. 

Finalists will be announced in April, and winners will be selected at our annual meeting in May.

The Local Music Scene, a monthly improv show at Bryant Lake Bowl Theater has sponsorship opportunities available. Every month a local musician performs music, and a group of some of the city's finest improvisors improvise comedic scenes inspired by the lyrics. I'm looking for businesses interested in sponsoring the show.

The benefits of sponsorship include:

• the business' logo on 200 posters put up all over town,
• and mentions on social media, the program, during the show.

Sponsorship packages are affordable and great for small businesses looking to increase their visibility. A current sponsor, a small barber shop, has renewed their sponsorship month after month and is now expanding their business by adding more barbers and chairs.

The marketing area includes Southwest Minneapolis, and high-traffic areas throughout the rest of the city. If you are interested, please contact:

Philip Simondet
philipsimondet@gmail.com

Top 20 Food Code Changes for Businesses 

As of January 1, 2019, Minnesota has a new Food Code. Check out the 20 major changes in the new Food Code for business owners, managers and food service workers. You can also view and share this information as a flyer in English or Spanish.

Homegrown Small Business Fund - Loan Program

The Homegrown Small Business Fund loan program provides financing and technical assistance to Minneapolis-based businesses that process, grow and manufacture food products. Loans of up to $10,000 at a 2% interest rate are available for eligible expenses, including:

• Processing/Manufacturing (raw materials, washing and drying of produce, packaging, storage containers, labeling, equipment)
• Distribution (leasehold improvements, approved off-site storage facilities, logistics equipment)
• Marketing (advertising, packaging materials, branding)
• Working Capital

Homegrown Minneapolis Community Food Forum

Join Homegrown Minneapolis for a dynamic evening of food systems conversations and the launch of our Minneapolis food action planning process. 

Wednesday, April 17th | 5:00 - 7:30 pm

5:00 - 6:00 pm Registration, reception and resource fair. 
Light bites from Minneapolis Public Schools True Food Catering.

6:00 - 7:30 pm Program and breakout sessions.
Program to feature Mayor Jacob Frey, Minneapolis City Council Member Jeremy Schroeder, University of Minnesota Professor Anu Ramaswami, and Homegrown Minneapolis staff and Food Council members. Share your insights in breakout sessions and learn about opportunities to stay engaged. More program details to come.

Minneapolis Public Schools Davis Center
1250 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis

More Information and RSVP

Interested in tabling at the resource fair? Local partners that support our community’s ability to grow, process, distribute, eat and compost more healthy, sustainable, locally grown foods are encouraged to sign up by March 15th.

Any sign of spring is welcome after these past few weeks, so I’ve got some good news: the City’s low-cost trees program is back! Thanks to overwhelming popularity, the program operates by lottery, open now through March 13. About 800 Minneapolis property owners will get the opportunity to claim a 5- to 8-foot tree to plant in their yard. Large species shade trees are $30 each. Fruit trees and smaller species are $40 each. Comparable trees cost about $125 at a nursery.

The 14 varieties available this year include large species, flowering trees and several kinds of fruit trees. Trees are available to Minneapolis residents, businesses, and nonprofits. Each address is limited to one tree (and a complimentary bag of mulch), with pickup May 18, 19 or 20. Over the past 13 years, the City Trees program has provided 14,000 trees to support our environment and build the tree canopy. Enter this spring's lottery here.