For small business owners looking to ply their trade on MnDOT projects, January heralds a trove of free classes and networking opportunities aimed at honing their skills and competitive edge. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is providing certified small businesses a chance to connect at their Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) through a series of events, as detailed in a bulletin released by MnDOT.
Holding court at the Shoreview Training and Conference Center on January 7 is the Business Elevation workshop "Ahead of the bid" from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Here, as noted by MnDOT, businesses new to public contracting "will gain a clear starting point" while more seasoned bidders can learn to better plan and compete. Scheduled to speak are experts, including Ellie Pflager from the Office of State Procurement and a MnDOT trio comprising Nancy Boeve, Mindy Heinkel, and Elisa Bottos. A special roundtable known as Social Circle is also on the agenda for January 12, promising an hour of marketing idea exchanges.
More hands-on sessions are queued up with the Spark Session on January 14, focusing on the essential business finance practices. MnDOT outlines the session as a practical guide for managing cash flow and tax readiness, suitable for QuickBooks users of varying proficiency. Then, on January 28, small business owners are invited to attend another Spark Session dedicated to corralling the right 2025 tax documents. With a CPA at the helm, participants will be armed with knowledge on record-keeping, audits, and understanding depreciation.
Additional training opportunities in January include one-to-one coaching sessions with MnDOT's AASHTOWare guru, Kirsten Reyes, by appointment on the 19th, and a workshop on prevailing wage and AASHTOWare/CRL, with dates starting in February. These sessions are designed to help contractors, payroll administrators, and managers meet government reporting requirements, as highlighted by MnDOT. Also available are Micro Grants, which offer up to $3,500 in financial support, with deadlines extending through to April 30, 2026. Those interested can reach out to MnDOT for application details and eligibility criteria.
The collaborative side of business is addressed as well, with the DBE committee meeting slated for January 13 via Microsoft Teams. Tasked with enhancing the capabilities of DBE firms, the committee seeks to advise MnDOT on the right policy mix. Moreover, MnDOT has joined forces with AIOIC to offer Commercial Driver's License training, broadening the scope for individual skill development in the construction industry. For further information, MnDOT actively encourages visits to its Office of Civil Rights programs website.
