Small Business & Nonprofit Information

Economic Injury Disaster Loans

SBA’s COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans can be used for capital needs and normal operating expenses, such as continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities, and fixed debt payments. Applications are open until December 31, 2021. Learn more and apply by visiting the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan page.

Visit Saint Paul's Ready Together Pledge

Visit Saint Paul’s Ready Together pledge is a voluntary commitment to cleanliness and safety for businesses reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses that take the pledge are promoted online and provided resources and marketing tools to help communicate their pledge and commitment to public health.

Take the pledge by visiting Visit Saint Paul’s Ready Together page.

Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward can match you with an experienced mentor to navigate financial options and assist with applying for grants and loans. Mentors speak English, Hmong, Somali, Oromo, Spanish, and Karen.

To learn more and apply, visit the Saint Paul Chamber’s Pay It Forward page.

• Restaurants wishing to create outdoor seating in the public right of way must obtain a 2021 Temporary C-19 Right of Way Obstruction Permit. To learn more about license requirements, contact Public Works at 651-266-6151 or email PW-ROWpermits@ci.stpaul.m. Additional information is also available on the Restaurant Service Outdoors page.
• As of January 7, 2021, fees from third-party food delivery vendors are capped at 15 percent of the purchase price per online or telephone order. Additionally, vendors may not charge food establishments any additional fees or commissions it has not agreed to pay, reduce the wages paid or garnish tips to delivery service drivers to comply with the capped fee rate and must inform customers of any delivery fees or commissions before the transaction is completed. To learn more or file a complaint, contact the Department of Safety and Inspections by calling 651-266-8989 or emailing dsicomplaints@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
• Design assistance is available for minor building alterations to better serve walk-up or take-out customers. Building review will be accelerated for these requests. To learn more, contact the Department of Safety and Inspections at (651) 266-8989.

Dine Saint Paul

The City of Saint Paul and the Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority partnered with Visit Saint Paul to launch Dine Saint Paul, a marketing campaign to support restaurants during the pandemic. Restaurants can participate by using hashtag #DineSaintPaul on their social media channels, and get listed on the Dine Saint Paul Restaurant Guide by contacting Chelsea Fey at cfey@visitsaintpaul.com. Learn more by visiting Visit Saint Paul’s Dine Saint Paul page.