 Much to celebrate this week! First up, on May 8 we will be holding our Small Business Summit and Expo, Presented by Wells Fargo. And our partnerships grow! The Small Business Administration once again will announce its Small Business Awards, and this year we’re thrilled to be joined by the MN Latino Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce as co-presenters. We are honored that our partnership roster keeps expanding, this year includes: East Side Area Business Association; Grand Avenue Business Association; India Chamber of Commerce; Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce; and the Rice & Larpenteur Alliance. Now THIS is what I’m talking about – independent organizations coming together in support of small business. While our Expo Tables are nearly full, we still have room for more attendees. I hope you’ll join us! My thoughts for this week also center around Mayor Kaohly Her’s “Rising Together” Inauguration community celebration held last Friday at Harriet Island. The energy in the room was undeniable. The crowd was so large, there was no question it HAD to be held outdoors! The Minnesota Wild’s Craig Leipold described Mayor Her as “historic.” And she is. She is the first woman and first Hmong American to represent our Capital City as Mayor. If the energy of an event can indicate the direction of a city, then be hopeful. Be inspired. And don’t just take my word for it – watch how the Mayor continues to meet the moment, speak with purpose, and show up for our city. See you in the trenches, B Happening Next:
0 Comments
 Mayor Her’s inaugural State of the City made one thing clear: Saint Paul is being led with steadiness, collaboration, and purpose. Reflecting on the first 100 days, Council President Noecker summed it up well: “Mayor Her is showing up collaboratively, representing, listening. The state of the City is strong.” Mayor Her herself noted that, though “you rarely know what you’re stepping into,” she wanted to set a tone of calm presence and care—grounded in an understanding that our community, government, and business sectors are deeply connected and must function as a shared ecosystem. As we all know, that leadership was tested almost immediately. Within her first week, the city was navigating Metro Surge—bringing profound public safety challenges and an estimated $129M in lost revenue over just two months, with some businesses experiencing losses of up to 60%. Mayor Her reminded us of her key campaign promises: running the city well, focusing on the basics, and growing our vitality. And she’s made some key moves early: putting together an agreement with the Minnesota Wild on a $600M plan for arena renovations; prioritizing downtown revitalization; lobbying at the legislature for city priorities; strengthening the city’s financial foundation through an emphasis on economic growth/new development; investing in infrastructure; and increasing transparency—including moving City Council meetings live to YouTube. At the same time, public safety outcomes are improving, with significant declines in non‑fatal gun incidents and homicides. Mayor Her spoke specifically to moves that will make it easier to do business in Saint Paul, including streamlined permitting and signage reform. She also talked at length about getting her arms fully around the City’s current financial situation, which includes working on a 2-year budget cycle, detailing deferred maintenance needs, investing in road patching equipment, and network infrastructure updates (after last year’s cyber-attack). My take? Strong starts matter—and this new Mayor is demonstrating the desire – followed with action - to “Rise Together.” See you in the trenches, B Upcoming Events
 I learned many things during my time at the Port Authority—chief among them just how critical strategic land use is to a city’s fiscal “bottom line.” The Saint Paul Port Authority’s newly updated analysis of the city’s industrial sector drives that point home. Dare I say, it’s sexy. The report analyzes all industrially zoned land in Saint Paul and compares it to commercial and residential uses. The takeaway is clear: industrial land is the city’s most efficient generator of property tax revenue and a powerful engine of economic impact. Put plainly, industrial jobs create economic mobility, financial resilience, and long-term affordability for the city as a whole. Consider this: just 1.9% of Saint Paul parcels are zoned industrial, yet they generate 9.3% of the city’s total property tax revenue. For every $1 the city spends on services for industrial land, it gets $1.80 back. Industrial activity in Saint Paul accounts for:
In a time when cities are grappling with budget pressures and affordability challenges, the data makes a compelling case: industrial land is a cornerstone of a resilient, inclusive urban economy. See you in the trenches, B Next Events:
 Despite the Saint Paul ordinance being veto-proof, Mayor Her won’t sign a 60-day eviction extension notice. Across the river, Mayor Frey vetoed the Minneapolis ordinance. Mayor Her acknowledges that we all share the goal of ensuring Saint Paul residents can achieve housing stability and remain in their homes, especially after Operation Metro Surge. We share both her very real concerns that this ordinance will produce the opposite result, and her preference for rental assistance supports. In her own words: “I fear that often times at the city we are pulling the wrong lever at the wrong level of government. This ordinance has many signs of repeating the same mistakes.” I so appreciate these mayors’ considerations: they both heard the concerns of affordable housing providers and landlords alike —those closest to the issue—who have warned that policies like this can compound financial distress for renters “in ways that can follow them for years.” The urgency to act is real, and the desire to do something is both understandable and necessary. The challenge, as always, is choosing the right approach. That is the work before us: ensuring that well-intentioned policies are also effective ones. Our role remains to help inform that policymaking so that, in trying to solve the problem, we don’t inadvertently make it worse. See you in the trenches, B Events
|
|
Address:
401 Robert St. N., Suite 150 St. Paul, MN 55101 |
Office Hours:
Monday: 9AM–4PM (Lobby Closed) Tuesday: 9AM–4PM Wednesday: 9AM–4PM Thursday: 9AM–4PM Friday: 9AM–4PM (Lobby Closed) |
Get weekly news on local businesses, events, offerings and more.
|
|
©2022 St. Paul Area Chamber. All Rights Reserved.
|