When the Latino Economic Development Center in St. Paul surveyed its members in January, it found 44% had temporarily closed. Fewer than 20% were operating normally, and 28% were open with limitations, such as shortened hours.
Some 40% of business owners said they would still be viable if they could count on outside support such as grants and donations. About a fourth said they were only viable after downsizing their staff, and 9% were considering “exit strategies,” or closing for good.
Alarmed by those and similar findings, the St. Paul Area Chamber, Minneapolis Regional Chamber and a dozen additional Twin Cities economic development organizations have assembled an online listing of organizations collecting donations to support small businesses during Operation Metro Surge.
The listing is online at WeLoveTC.com.
Among other resources, the website includes links to legal guidance for employers from Hospitality Minnesota and additional business coalitions.
In St. Paul, the Latino Economic Development Center is working with the East Side Funders Group to back immigrant-owned businesses on the city’s East Side with cash grants. The goal is to raise $2 million by March 1 for rent relief, payroll and loan debt service. More information is online at LEDCMN.org.
Additional organizations collecting donations for small business grants include the Constellation Immediate Response Fund, MainStreet Alliance’s Open for Tomorrow Small Business Fund and the Minneapolis Foundation’s Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund.
GiveMn.org has assembled a “Community Response” webpage with listings of front-line community organizations throughout Minnesota assisting the public, including food shelves, nonprofit legal aids and social service providers.
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