Small Business Resiliency Fund
About the fund
This fund is designed to:
- Help businesses stabilize
- Reduce financial strain
- Bring customers back to commercial areas
The fund includes:
- License fee relief for food/beverage businesses
- Free event permits
- Free consulting services to help businesses plan and recover
- Marketing and activation funding to increase visibility and foot traffic
- Grants for cultural mall operators
Immediate support
Fee-free events
To encourage community gatherings in commercial areas, we are covering $600,000 worth of event permits.
Public events between April 1 and Dec. 31, 2026, are eligible for this relief.
Relief covers the cost of common permits for public events, such as:
- Food
- Amplified sound
- Commercial block events
License fee relief
We have invested $4 million to cover the cost of business license fees. Over 2,000 food and hospitality businesses across Minneapolis received the help. This includes many food, wine, liquor, and brewery licenses. Eligible businesses have already been contacted.
Eligible businesses that have already paid their renewal fees will be reimbursed. Fees will be covered for those yet to pay. Businesses are still required to file their renewals to stay in good standing.
Business support programs
Business Technical Assistance Program (BTAP)
BTAP offers no-cost consulting services to small businesses and entrepreneurs. The resiliency fund has invested an extra $500,000 into this program. Through BTAP, businesses can get advice for things like:
- Lease and contract negotiations
- Marketing
- Business planning
We are now accepting funding applications from organizations that offer business consulting services. Applications are due April 27.
Great Streets Business District Support (BDS)
BDS received an extra $350,000 funding in 2026 from the Minneapolis Small Business Resiliency Fund. BDS awards money to not-for-profit organizations to do activities that:
- Enhance the vitality of a business district
- Diversify an area’s client base
- Increase the diversity of goods and services provided
Learn more about the Great Streets Business District Support Program
Cultural business weeks
We have added $200,000 to funding for cultural business weeks, with a focus on recovering from the impacts of Operation Metro Surge.
The funding will enhance this year's:
- Latino Business Week
- Black Business Week
Organizations can apply now for funding to host Black Business Week events in July. Applications are due by April 27.
Apply to host a Black Business Week event
Cultural market grants
We revived the Cultural Market Small Business Support Program with $500,000 from the Resiliency Fund. Market operators can apply for grants of up to $50,000. Grants must be used for activities that benefit all tenants and customers, such as:
- Security
- Marketing
- Physical improvements to common spaces
Coming soon
Venue and Music Activation
This $500,000 in funding will boost independent music venues and musicians for hosting events in commercial corridors.
Creative Marketing Activation
This $350,000 in funding will go to content creators to spread the word about artists, businesses and untold stories around the city.
Contact us
Small Business Team
Community Planning & Economic Development
Phone
Address
Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 320
Minneapolis, MN 55415