Bear + Larp District
Business ResourceS

Bear + Larp District Resources is your starting point for tools, programs, and connections that help local businesses grow, adapt, and stay resilient. Whether you’re looking for funding, improving your storefront, or navigating day-to-day challenges, this page brings together trusted resources and support to help your business thrive in the district.

Business Support
property and storefront improvements
stabilization support
Immigrant Resources
groups to know

business SUPPORT

Business support resources are here to help you start, strengthen, and grow your business in the district. From connecting you with local lenders and funding programs to providing technical assistance, business advising, and guidance on grant applications, these tools are designed to help you move forward with confidence.

  • From East Side Neighborhood Development Company and Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy

    RECYCLING GRANT: Up to $10,000.00 to help businesses in Ramsey and Washington Counties start to improve recycling and organics collections.

    ORGANIC REWARD GRANT: Up to $5,000.00 in hauling costs reimbursement for businesses in Ramsey and Washington Counties who start or improve organics collections.

    Learn more and apply at: https://esndc.org/biz-recycling/

  • Whether you’re starting a business, growing an existing company or planning your next move, SCORE provides the guidance and tools to help you succeed. Through one-on-one mentoring, expert-led workshops, and a library of business resources, SCORE connects you with experienced professionals who can help you make informed decisions and move your business forward.

    Learn more at: https://www.score.org/mn/

  • The East Community Fund (ECF) is a working capital loan fund for BIPOC business owners on the Eastside of St. Paul, with a specific focus on Black-owned businesses. The mission of the ECF is to create more inclusive economic pathways for BIPOC businesses to access capital and sustainably grow their businesses. Loan funds can be used for business purposes that include startup costs, supplies, inventory, equipment, lease expenses, purchasing a business, debt consolidation, and working capital. This is a low-barrier, low interest, human centered fund that is designed to remove qualification barriers to financial products and services and reduce lending disparities amongst the Eastside’s BIPOC business community.

    Individual loans are:

    • Fixed-rate loans that range from $1,000 to $20,000.

    • Interest rates lower than comparable for-profit and non-profit small business loan funds.

    • Flexible amortization schedules and opportunities to modify loan schedule.

    • No late fees.

    • No personal guarantees, financing agreements will not use personal assets for security unless the asset has been purchased with ECF funds.

    • Human-centered narrative application process that uses close relationships between loan officers, technical service providers, and potential loan recipients to establish a borrower’s reliability, rather than solely relying on racially bias metrics like credit score.

    • Technical Assistance will be provided to all applicants as a part of the loan review process that will be tailored to the applicants’ needs and position them to secure future funding from traditional lenders.

    Learn more and apply: https://esndc.org/economic-development/

  • The state supports entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, and small businesses at every stage of growth. With the Midwest’s highest venture capital investment per capita and a strong network of state programs and partners, Minnesota offers a reliable environment for businesses to start, expand, and succeed.

    Department of Employment and Economic Development resources and funding opportunities

Property and storefront improvements

Investing in your property or storefront can enhance your business's visibility, attract customers, and contribute to a more vibrant commercial district. Explore resources for façade improvements, space activation ideas, and programs that can help bring your vision to life.

Business Assistance Fund (BAF)

The Business Assistance Fund (BAF) is available to eligible businesses throughout the City of Saint Paul.

The fund is gap financing – generally, City dollars should not exceed 50% of total project cost and must be used in a way that serves a public purpose, as outlined below.

Eligible Businesses for Business Assistance Fund

For-profit and non-profit entities engaged in an eligible activity and/or use located at a physical address or are relocating to a physical address in the City of Saint Paul.

Eligible Uses

The Business Assistance Fund is limited to the following eligible uses:

  1. Building improvements – interior and exterior, including permanently affixed, physical (“bricks and mortar”) enhancements which strengthen and/or improve the neighborhoods of Saint Paul

  2. Equipment purchase

  3. Building acquisition

  4. Working capital and inventory purchase

  5. Professional fees in conjunction with the completion of the project

Public Purpose Evaluation

In addition to considering viability and need, approved projects will be evaluated on how they meet the following public purposes:

  1. Project financing creates or retains jobs in Saint Paul, or

  2. Project financing benefits the community in at least ONE of the following ways:

  • Positive tax base impacts through capital investments to real property

  • Renovation of vacant commercial building/multi-tenanted space

  • Investments in low-moderate income areas

  • Investments to meet documented underserved or unserved community need

Learn more and apply for the Business Assistance Fund by filling out a Business Assistance Intake Form.

stabilization SUPPORT

Businesses face a variety of unexpected challenges, from economic uncertainty and regulatory changes to emergencies that can disrupt day-to-day operations. The Bear + Larp District is committed to helping businesses navigate these situations by connecting owners with trusted resources that support long-term stability and resilience.

Whether you're seeking emergency funding, legal or compliance guidance, or connections to community-based organizations, we're here to help you find the support you need. Our goal is to provide timely information, coordinate with trusted partners, and ensure businesses along the Bear + Larp corridor have access to the resources that help them remain strong and continue serving the community.

IMMIGRANT RESOURCES/
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Groups to know