Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse is rolling out the red carpet for small businesses, declaring April 28 - May 4 as Small Business Week in the city. During a city council meeting on April 15, Busse encouraged locals to show some love for neighborhood shops by checking out blm.mn/business and frequenting the community's small business entrepreneurs not just during the celebratory week, but throughout the year.
It's commonly known that small businesses are the backbone of the American economy—more than half of U.S. workers are employed by them, after all. Specifically in Minnesota's metro area, a whopping 84% of businesses are small-scale operations, with fewer than 20 employees. These are the places that keep towns like Bloomington vibrant and buzzing with jobs, innovation, and local charm.
Paving the way for tomorrow's moguls, the City of Bloomington has teamed up with Hennepin County to unveil CEO Start, a new pilot program aimed at equipping future and current entrepreneurs with the necessary skills to scale their ideas into tangible business successes. A group of 12 budding business owners graduated from the program this month, clutching a blueprint of business basics and a network of support. They're walking out into the business world equipped not just with knowledge, but with confidence to advance their ventures.
Mayor Busse was visibly inspired by the CEO Start participants, who recently showcased their business concepts. "Every participant spoke from the heart, and is creating a business that is near and dear to their heart. That fills my cup!" he told the City of Bloomington's news release.
But Bloomington's strategy doesn't end with mentorship programs. It's just the tip of the iceberg. The city has rolled out initiatives like a site and façade improvement program, Welcoming Wednesdays, and the Bloomington Business Connections to fuel economic development. A comprehensive five-year economic development action plan is also set to kick off in May, aiming to be a game-changer to the local business landscape.
