News

Want Consolidated Updates?

Subscribe to our Monthly newsletter by emailing Karen at info@experiencesouthwest.com. Be sure to include your name, your business name, and the email address where you'd like the newsletter delivered!

  • April 23, 2020 2:52 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Star Tribune is compiling a state-wide list of business availability. Add your business on this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPLCMx2zOfmEM9qa_9_FTtKawnQMJexYSXRegki0b9VfXPvQ/viewform?usp=send_form 

  • April 16, 2020 1:31 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Several Burglaries @ SW Businesses in Past Week.
    Smash and Grabs with Bricks Through a Window

    The precinct is reporting that there were an additional 4 burglaries in the past 7 days with similar MO (throwing a brick through a window).

    RECOMMENDED ACTION: Leave cash registers open so they can see there is no money stored inside, and post a sign saying "all cash has been removed from the premise"

    There are window films that can be applied to your windows that are see through and will prevent the glass from breaking. Audible alarms that are triggered by glass are also good deterents.

    Video needs to be a good enough quality to be useful. This includes resolution, lighting, and angles.

    The precinct is doing extra patrolling of our business areas. If you feel your corner needs additional patrol you can request this by calling the precinct front desk at 612-673-5705.


  • April 16, 2020 10:19 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    COVID-19 Community Response Fund

    Neighborhood organizations, cultural organizations, nonprofits, businesses, places of worship and faith organizations are invited to apply for grants of up to $15,000 for COVID-19 response activities to take place between May 15, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

    Projects can be focused on direct response, support efforts or other byproducts of the pandemic such as food, shelter and health (mental or physical) and safety needs. The intent of the COVID-19 Community Response funds is to support community-led strategies. With that in mind, applicants are encouraged to propose activities that reflect their own expertise, experience, and knowledge and that focus on the specific issues identified within their areas or communities. 

    To apply, please review the COVID-19 Community Response Fund request for proposals (RFA) for the application and detailed information.

    Submit your application by email to health@minneapolismn.gov by April 24, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

    Local, regional, or state government entities are not eligible for funding under this RFA.

    For more information about the City of Minneapolis' COVID-19 response, visit Minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus.


  • April 02, 2020 3:41 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    If you're on our email list, you received a great FAQ on the federal funding options, and how they relate to each other. If you didn't get that message, please reach out with your contact information so we can add you to our news list! 

    You can find the FAQ and more COVID related information on our Covid19 page.

  • April 02, 2020 3:41 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    • I-35W@94 http://www.dot.state.mn.us/35w94/

    • ·        The right lane of I-35W north is closed between 42nd and 40th streets Wednesday, April 1 through Friday, April 3, 8-10 p.m. daily
    • ·        The right two lanes of I-35W north are closed between 42nd and 40th streets Wednesday, April 1 through Friday, April 3 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily.


  • March 17, 2020 9:12 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The City of Minneapolis has issued its interpretation of the Sick and Safe Time Ordinance with regard to the current pandemic:

    The Sick and Safe Time ordinance requires the provision of sick leave to workers in the city of Minneapolis. Please be aware that the City of Minneapolis Labor Standards Enforcement Division has posted guidance on its Sick and Safe Time website (and below in bold) to explain how the Sick and Safe Time ordinance is interpreted by the Division during the current pandemic.

    State of Minnesota DEED website also guides businesses and workers during this difficult time, as additional state resources and emergency federal legislation are being rolled out.

     

    **COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) and sick and safe time**

    An employee's accrued sick and safe time hours are legally protected for their use due to Coronavirus symptoms, testing or infection. Protection extends to the employee and the employee's care of a covered family member. Ordinance protection includes, but is not limited to:

    • Coronavirus screening;
    • Care or quarantine due to Coronavirus symptoms or infection;  
    • Testing or quarantine following close personal contact with a Coronavirus infected or symptomatic person;
    • Covered family members' school or place-of-care closure due to Coronavirus; and
    • Workplace closure by order of a public official due to Coronavirus.

     

    Importantly, many schools and places-of-care have now been closed due to Coronavirus, which triggers ordinance protection for the use of accrued sick and safe time hours in the city for workers who need to care for their children because of those closures. Similarly, when any public official (e.g. Mayor or Governor) orders business closures due to Coronavirus, that order triggers coverage of the ordinance for workers at those businesses. Otherwise, generally, preemptive closure or preemptive self-quarantine is not covered by the Sick and Safe Time ordinance.

    If a worker is infected or symptomatic, they may use any accrued sick and safe time hours. Furthermore, ordinance protection is triggered if a worker has reason to believe they are probably infected. Under those circumstances, as noted in the third bullet (above), self-quarantine ("preventive care" during a global pandemic) would constitute a protected use of accrued sick and safe time.

    The Sick and Safe Time ordinance does not apply once a workers' accrued hours have been exhausted. However, employers and employees are encouraged to be understanding and flexible with each other where possible during this emergency. Nothing in the ordinance prevents an employer from providing workers more generous coverage or benefits. The Federal Medical Leave Act or other state or federal law may also apply.

    Email sicktimeinfo@minneapolismn.gov for further clarification of this guidance. Thank you and stay safe.


  • March 09, 2020 4:34 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    SWBA Brings You Information on Corona Virus Planning

    Cities and regions around the world have started enforcing lockdowns to prevent the spread of the much publicized Corona virus. The Minnesota Department of Health and the CDC are urging businesses to be prepared to respond to ill employees and changing situations.

    Steps You Can Take:

    • Clean surfaces regularly. The EPA has compiled a list of cleaning products known to kill this strain of the virus.
    • Have a Plan for Employee Absence. If the virus becomes widespread here in Minneapolis, you may experience staffing shortages while your employees recover. Consider how you will continue to operate with reduced staff, and consider cross-training staff to help cover for each other. If your employees can perform their work from home, consider allowing them to do so until the spread has been contained.
    • Protect Your Workers. Review your sick leave policies, and encourage sick employees to stay home to prevent spreading illness to your remaining staff. Encourage anyone you work with to refer to the CDC travel notices before taking any trips.
    • Protect Your Customers. Consider alternate ways to deliver your products and services without requiring face-to-face interactions during this time. For business that needs to be conducted in person, consider asking sick visitors to wear a mask or wait until they are better. Make hand sanitizers, tissues and other hygiene products available.
    • Have a Plan for Potential Lockdown. We're hopeful that it won't come to a complete lockdown in Minneapolis to control the spread of this virus, but you may want to plan for the possibility. SWBA is reaching out to city officials to determine if they are considering such a move, and what provisions may be made for small businesses during that time. Watch the SWBA website and Facebook pages for updates. (We'll email any big news too)
    • Refer to Accurate Information from the sources linked on the buttons below.

    National Retailers Info

    MN Department of Health

    CDC


  • November 18, 2019 2:05 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    DEED’s Launch Minnesota Initiative Offering ‘Innovation Grants’ to Entrepreneurs in Minnesota

    MinnInno - 11/13/19

    Minnesota startups now have a new source of state funding. Launch Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s new statewide effort to accelerate startups, is taking applications for Innovation Grants.


  • November 15, 2019 10:58 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

     male hand holding smartphone

    There are some great recommendations to keep you and your team on task in this latest article from the Small Business Administration:

    Best Apps for Small Business Owners

  • November 15, 2019 10:45 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Minnesota Unemployment Holds at 3.2% 

    Labor force participation rate ticked up to 70.3% while the state added more than 7,000 new jobs


Copyright Southwest Business Association

Southwest Business Association is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization. Minnesota , P.O. Box 8932, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software