October in Minnesota is shaping up to be a busy month for small business owners looking to enhance their skills and leverage opportunities with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The state agency is offering a variety of free classes through its Small Business Resource Center (SBRC), targeting certified small businesses and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs). Entrepreneurs interested in honing their business plans can attend a "Spark session" scheduled for October 8th from 1 to 3 p.m. at the SBRC in Eagan, as reported by MnDOT.
Following up, there's an informative "Micro Grant training session" on October 15, giving insight into eligibility and application procedures for MnDOT's Micro Grant, while later in the month, the SBRC north metro location in Blaine will host their "Social Circle" event for a collaborative exchange among business peers; these sessions are aimed to connect local business owners help them share experiences, and discuss various topics such as marketing and workforce development. However, navigation through the plethora of offerings continues with the MnDOT "Business elevation workshop" set for October 29, where participants will receive practical advice on understanding project plans and specifications, a critical skill for submitting bids on MnDOT projects.
Furthermore, small businesses have until October 1 to apply for the "Pathways to Success" program, which provides extensive one-to-one business support and resources through June 2026 – a deadline that highlights the urgency for eligible businesses to take action, as emphasized by MnDOT. In addition, the agency's One-to-one Small Business Assistance program remains in full swing, offering personalized help on a variety of business areas, and they are actively seeking mentors in their Mentor-Protégé program, meant to bolster DBE firms by pairing them with experienced businesses to gain skills and competencies necessary to thrive in a competitive landscape.
The commitment to diversity and inclusion within the workforce is underscored through the agency's DBE and Workforce Collaborative, with a subcommittee meeting scheduled for October 9 to address worksite diversity issues and October 22's Results and Transparency workgroup gathering focused on reviewing workforce goals and diversity hiring progress on highway construction projects. These MnDOT initiatives, stretching from personalized one-on-one sessions to roundtable discussions, reinforce the organization's dedication to fostering a supportive environment for small and disadvantaged businesses looking to expand their footprint in state and city projects.
