Taxes & Incentives

Business 4 Business MSP Regional Coalition

 

MSP Counties and Private Sector Leaders Unite to Support Small Businesses recovering from COVID-19 pandemic
A broad alliance of Twin Cities counties, chambers of commerce, community development agencies and other partners are building a local support network to help small businesses survive and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Business4Business Minneapolis-Saint Paul (B4B MSP) coalition will connect small businesses with local resources from public agencies and private sector partners, including technical and financial assistance to provide immediate relief.
Priority outreach will be conducted in partnership with community-based organizations working in low-wealth communities, communities of color, and areas with barriers to access other small business resources.

How to Help

The greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul region is home to private industry leaders and strong public sector partners that have a demonstrated history of working together to support community and economic vitality.
Through these partnerships, B4B MSP will be able support our resilient small business community through unprecedented challenges and continue to drive inclusive economic growth that strengthens our communities.

MAKE A PLEDGE TO SUPPORT THE MSP AREA SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY

PACE logo long

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program

The PACE Program is a way to finance energy efficient building improvements or new construction.  PACE is repaid as an assessment on a property tax bill for a set period. In this way, PACE eliminates the burden of upfront costs by providing low-cost, long-term financing.  PACE is different than a traditional loan: there is less of a reliance on credit, the assessment stays with the property instead of the owner, and they can generally be repaid over longer terms than a bank might allow.

Start your application today by clicking here

Key Local Incentives

Many municipalities and utility companies in Anoka County offer tax abatement, tax increment financing, and other business incentives.  Toggle down on some of the recent project examples that utilized innovative local financing solutions.

Columbia Heights Bonded for Lino Lakes Non-Profit

In 2018, Love To Grow On, a Minnesota nonprofit who provides early childhood education to children six-weeks through age twelve wanted to consolidate its two locations and construct a new 13,000 square foot facility in the City of Lino Lakes. Love To Grow On originally requested the City of Lino Lakes issue Tax Exempt Bonds, but unfortunately the City of Lino Lakes already had plans to issue the maximum amount of Bank-Qualified Bonds allowed by the IRS Code. The City of Columbia Heights agreed to issue Tax Exempt Bonds, to provide them the financing necessary to construct their early childhood center in Lino Lakes. Typically, cities will issue Bank-Qualified Bonds within their respective city; however, pursuant to State Statutes, cities may issue obligations outside of their city boundaries if the governing body of the city in which the development occurs consents to it. This project show cased a municipal financial partnership that was mutually beneficial to both cities and Love To Grow On!

Blaine Establishes a Redevelopment TIF District for Townhome Development

South Terrace Cove – This project is approved for 42 townhome units at the corner of 102nd and University Ave. in Blaine.  The site currently has three, older office buildings with storage garages.  The Blaine EDA provided $850,000 in TIF to assist in demolishing the buildings and writing down land costs.  This was accomplished through the creation of a new redevelopment TIF district

City Uses Existing TIF Funds for Affordable Housing Project

Dominium is constructing a 198 unit affordable, senior apartment at the corner of 109th and Lexington Avenue in Blaine (Legends of Blaine).  Dominium requested $1.45mil from the City of Blaine to assist in making the project financially feasible as an affordable product.  This was accomplished with existing TIF funds the Blaine EDA had available.   

Coon Rapids Makes Loan for Business Expansion

Coon Rapids granted Steinwall, a longtime Coon Rapids business a $200,000 loan towards the cost of expansion and acquisition of a new 145,500 square foot warehouse facility.

Tax Credits

Data Center Incentive Program: Companies that build data or network operations that meet size and investment requirements qualify for a sales tax exemption for 20 years on computer, cooling and energy needs, and receive permanent personal property tax exemption.
Research and Development Tax Credit: A credit of 10 percent, up to the first $2 million in eligible expenses, and 2.5 percent for eligible expenses above $2 million.
Small Business Credit Initiative: This capital access initiatives allocates up to $15.4 million into three state programs.

 

Business Expansion & Job Creation

Business Development Loan Program: The program provides loans for business expansions that result in the creation of new jobs. Loans are up to $5 million.
Minnesota Job Creation Fund: The fund provides up to $1 million in grants to approved businesses after specified job creation and capital investment goals are achieved.

 

Investment

Angel Tax Credit: Small tech firms in Minnesota can qualify for up to $1 million in angel tax credits.
Minnesota Investment Fund: Awards grants to local units of government, which use the money to provide below-market rate loans to help companies expand. Funding may be used to purchase land, machinery and equipment.
Minnesota Growth Acceleration Program: Provides consulting services to  help small manufacturers become more efficient and competitive.

 

Workforce Training Programs

Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Program: Partners with businesses and schools to develop new-job training or retraining for existing employees. Training grants are offered in five different program areas.

 

Technology & Science Companies

Scitechsperience Internship Program: This paid internship program connects college students in science, technology, engineering and math disciplines with rewarding hands-on opportunities at Minnesota companies that need their skills.
Data Center Incentive Program: Companies that build data or network operations that meet size and investment requirements qualify for a sales tax exemption for 20 years on computer, cooling and energy needs, and receive permanent personal property tax exemption.
Bioscience Incentive Program: Provides production payments to encourage commercial scale production of advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and thermal energy production from biomass.
Research and Development Tax Credit: A credit of 10 percent, up to the first $2 million in eligible expenses, and 2.5 percent for eligible expenses above $2 million.

 

Other Statewide Incentives

Indian Business Loan Program: Supports the development of Indian-owned and operated businesses and promotes economic opportunities for Indian people in Minnesota.