Budding entrepreneurs and small business owners in Bloomington have a new monthly date to circle on their calendars. Welcoming Wednesdays—an event dedicated to providing insight into available startup and small business resources—has been announced, promising to be a regular fixture for local economic engagement. Hiromi Yokoi, a business advisor with NextStage, is set to host the 2025 iteration of this initiative.
The initiative aims to create a space where those in the early stages of operating a business can come to easily and effectively begin to learn about the tools and support the city offers. The City of Bloomington, through engaging activities such as this, is actively looking to support and grow its small business ecosystem. According to Barb Wolff, Assistant Port Authority Administrator, “The City of Bloomington is committed to advancing economic development in the city. This ongoing series serves to connect and strengthen the city’s small business community. Join us!” - as reported in a recent press release.
The sessions will be held at Civic Plaza, located at 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, and are scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month from 12-2 p.m. This conveniently timed mid-day event is designed to accommodate the varied schedules of busy small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.
Those interested in attending Welcoming Wednesdays or looking for more details can find additional information by visiting the city’s website. Notably, the city appears to wholly embrace the concept of communal support for local businesses, a sentiment perhaps best encapsulated by Wolff's statement: “This ongoing series serves to connect and strengthen the city’s small business community. Join us!” - as obtained by Bloomington's news release. In what appears to be a seamless integration of public service with commercial vitality, Welcoming Wednesdays is poised to become a staple in the Bloomington business community’s monthly routine.
