West 7th/Fort Road Federation, Inc.
Project Title: Revitalize West 7th Program
Project Summary: The Revitalize West 7th Program offers local businesses an opportunity to enhance their building facades, contributing to the revitalization and vibrancy of our community. With grants of up to $10,000 available per business, this initiative aims to support small businesses in implementing improvements that not only beautify their premises but also create a more welcoming and engaging neighborhood.
Award: $50,000.00
Victoria Best Steak House, INC.
Project Title: Masonry Restoration - The Best Steak House
Project Summary: Replace lintels and thru-wall flashings at (11) openings. Provide solid tuckpointing at (6) sills and replace (4) other sills. Replace (60) bricks. Spot tuckpoint. Tuckpoint 50% of the South wall. Rebuild (3) corners of building at grade. Remove/reinstall electrical as necessary to complete repairs. Paint the areas of new work to match the adjacent finishes. Skim coat. Aluminum flashing.”
Award: $50,000.00
TKP LLC
Project Title: HVAC Duct Modifications & Dishwasher Ventilation
Project Summary: HVAC duct modifications in main dining area & dishwasher ventilation in the dishwasher room.
Award: $15,000.00
East Side Neighborhood Development Company
Project Title: Friendly Storefronts (Program)
Project Summary: The Friendly Storefronts program builds on the Lower Payne CVZ and supports NRSA goals by funding permanent improvements that boost business visibility, attract customers, and maintain competitiveness amid disruptions like MNDOT's Arcade Street construction. This investment helps strengthen the resilience, vibrancy, and cultural identity of East Side commercial corridors.
Award: $50,000.00
MORE
Project Title: Empowering Futures
Project Summary: MORE is a nonprofit in Saint Paul's North End supporting immigrants with free education and basic needs support. STAR funds will be used to create an expanded parking area, repave the driveway, and install a fence to protect the food garden. The fence will feature a mural created with the help of the MORE community.
Award: $24,000.00
52 MARKET & TRADING, INC
Project Title: 990 Arcade Rehab
Project Summary: Rehab commercial building due to fire damage resulting from arson on 8/9/23. Rehab includes but not limited to electrical, plumbing, HVAC, walls, flooring, is possible siding. It is essentially rebuilding the inside to make it operable as the Asian grocery store serving the East Side for the last 18 years.
Award: $80,000.00
Payless Tires North
Project Title: Updates
Project Summary: Repair our parking lot, sidewalk, exterior sign, paint interior and exterior, replace damaged ceiling tiles, shop lights, bay doors, and bathroom.
Award: $50,000.00
Payless Tires Inc.
Project Title: Remodel
Project Summary: New sign, new restroom, tile flooring in office/ waiting room, patch and paint interior, paint exterior, new entry door, interior doors.
Award: $50,000.00
St. Paul & Ramsey County Domestic Abuse Intervention Project
Project Title: SPIP Roof and Parking Lot Project
Project Summary: Redo SPIP's Parking Lot; Tree Stump Grinding/Removal on Parking Lot; Building's Roof Repair; and Replacement of Roof Hatch
Award: $49,938.00
HOURCAR
Project Title: Electric Vehicle Maintenance Facility Improvement Project
Projet Summary: To support our East Side expansion of Evie Carshare, HOURCAR needs to make a number of upgrades to our newly acquired electric vehicle maintenance facility.
Specifically, we need to add electric vehicle charging stations, a vehicle lift, and an alignment rack to the north bay of the facility. All improvements will be permanently affixed and wired into the electrical system of the building."
Award: $30,000.00
Sohn Hee Eateries, LLC
Project Title: Water Heater for Grand Ave
Project Summary: Replace 27-year-old water heater which, currently is barely meeting health inspection compliance requirements. A functional and in good working condition Hot water heater is an integral part of operating a commercial restaurant safely as well as, effectively when it comes to cleaning and sanitizing food cooking materials.
Award: $12,000.00
Saint Paul Parks Conservancy
Project Title: Honoring John Thao Through a Legacy of Sport, Community, and Cultural Pride
Project Summary: Design and install a permanent sign honoring John Thao, a beloved community member and world-class sepak takraw athlete at one of the nation's first public sepak takraw courts at Duluth & Case Rec Center in Saint Paul. The sign will celebrate John's legacy, uplift Hmong cultural identity, and inspire future generations through his story of excellence, kindness, and community.
Award: $5,000.00
Ezitec LLC
Project Title: Community Tech Repair Building Upgrade
Project Summary: Would be used to renovate and update the exterior of the building located at 1141 university ave W. Including windows, front door, adding building and streelighting, building signage, security system, roof and gutters, awning, an art mural on the west wall (which is seen from the Green Line Light Rail), relining the parking lot, and putting a small green space & fence in the rear of the property.
Award: $50,000.00
Union Gospel Mission Association of St Paul
Project Title: UGMTC Men's Campus Expansion
Project Summary: Add 6,000 square feet to our men's campus and revamp the existing layout to increase emergency shelter beds from 190 to 254; double the capacity of our dining room; increase our day-space from 1,300 sq ft to 2,600 sq ft; add a secure, year-round outdoor space; and add new windows. We plan to offer a more spacious, safe, dignified space to our guests.
Award: $50,000.00
Cibkoob Asia Fresh LLC
Project Title: Cibkoob Asia Fresh Market - 2025
Project Summary: Purchase and install new commercial refrigeration units essential for our start-up grocery store on Maryland in Saint Paul. These permanent fixtures, quoted at $199,901.57, are critical for food storage and safety. Remaining costs will be covered through owner equity and additional private funding sources.
Award: $49,900.00
Park Square Theatre
Project Title: Park Square Door Accessibility Improvement Project
Project Summary: The accessibility project is to replace six front doors on Park Square Theatre's facility, install reliable motors on the handicap doors, and integrate new accessible push-button controls to ensure everyone can enter independently and safely while improving the energy efficiency, sustainability, and accessibility of our historic downtown space.
Award: $28,000.00
Frogtown Farm
Project Title: Frogtown Farm Fence Upgrade Project
Project Summary: Replace nearly 3,000 feet of failing fence. New fencing will protect crops, reduce damage, and keep the space safe and welcoming. As a vital green space and incubator for seven emerging farmers, this upgrade supports local food, entrepreneurship, and small business development.
Award: $50,000.00
Springboard for the Arts
Project Title: Capital Request: Springboard for the Arts
Project Summary: Add a new entry vestibule and welcome area on the Community Hall side of our building and relocate a stormwater collection cistern. This capital improvement will enhance safety, visibility, accessibility, and public use of our site, which includes a multi-use hall, public green space, and outdoor gathering area.
Award: $50,000.00
Preferred Choice Insurance Agency Inc
Project Title: 1073 Payne Ave
Project Summary: Install Fence along Payne Ave, repaint exteriors, install new exterior basement door. redo chimney, new business signage on the side and front.
Award: $50,000.00
Face to Face Health & Counseling Service, Inc.
Project Title: Face to Face Parking Lot Project
Project Summary: Rehabilitation of the parking lot of our building at 1165 Arcade Street. The current lot is in dire disrepair and affects the staff and participants of not only our nonprofit, but also St. Paul Public School's Face to Face Academy, Vue Eye Clinic, Arcade Phalen American Legion Post 577, neighbors at 1148 Arcade Street, and other residents of the neighborhood.
Award: $40,000.00
105 University Ave W
Project Title: Pay-As-You-Can Community Cafe Storage Upgrades and Expansion
Project Summary: Shobi's Table, a pay-as-you-can mobile cafe, seeks to increase food storage capacity through installation of a walk-in refrigerator, as well as upgrading an existing room for food storage through NSF certified flooring, walls, and ceiling. These capital improvements will allow us to double our impact, responding to the increased need for food and community building in St. Paul
neighborhoods.
Award: $49,912.76
The Rondo Community Land Trust
Project Title: 843 Selby Site Renewal
Project Summary: Demolition, environmental remediation, and initial site buildout at 843 Selby Ave, including utility preparation, foundation work, and early framing. This first phase will prepare the site for the future construction of Bubble Line Brewing Co., Minnesota's first Black woman-owned independent brewery.
Award: $100,000.00
TMREIT, LLC
Project Title: The Mali Center Solar Panel & Mansa Tech Hub Projects
Project Summary: Purchase and install solar panels as well as convert an existing office into an AI tech hub. More specifically, the grant will cover all materials, labor, permits of electrical wiring, network cabling, and other necessary infrastructure to support AI training equipment. The equipment will be secured via additional grant funding (LISC) and in-kind commitments.
Award: $30,000.00
Grand Avenue Business Association
Project Title: Renovate, Revive, Reopen Storefronts on Grand Ave
Project Summary: Grand Avenue Business Association (GABA) will support small businesses by creating a business improvement grant round. Businesses will be able to use funding to support aesthetic and functional improvements to buildings, signs, sites, landscaping, or interior amenities, as well as any suitable arts related street activation.
Award: $50,000.00
Sunlight Services LLC
Project Title: Empower Center Care – 2025
Project Summary: Empower Center Care is requesting $45,000 in STAR funds to support our kitchen expansion project, aimed at accommodating our growing number of residents. The funds will be used for permanent, physical improvements, including upgraded plumbing and electrical work. These essential upgrades will ensure our facility can meet the increasing demand for services and continue to operate efficiently.
Award: $45,000.00
Roots Wellness Center
Project Title: RWC Roof and Brick Repair
Project Summary: Roots Wellness Center purchased a building in 2024 which we have been renovating to fit our needs as a community wellness hub. STAR funds would be used to update the roof of our building that is in need of significant repairs, yet not a full replacement. This is an essential repair that is needed for continuity of services.
Award: $20,000.00
Family Foods Market
Project Title: Install/Renovation 2Bathrooms
Project Summary: Installation/renovation bathrooms. Install a new bathroom on first level floor for emergency used by our customers. Secondly, renovate the existing bathroom in the basement.
Award: $50,000.00
Walker West Music Academy
Project Title: Walker West Outdoor Amphitheater
Project Summary: Outdoor space renovations at our new location on 650 Marshall Ave. Renovations will enable us to host concerts by professional musicians, performances by Walker West students, and private events for community members. Additionally, renovations will beautify the space for community use and install music-themed play equipment for children.
Award: $50,000.00
Hamernick's Flooring Solutions
Project Title: Hamernick's Exterior Remodel 2025
Project Summary: With the Rice Street Visioning and Reconstruction project finally starting, we want to enhance our buildings to match the new streets and sidewalks at our Saint Paul stores. We are planning on new paint, awnings, a new front entrance, replacement of a broken window, and new signage. We want our building to look new and fresh to match the new streets and sidewalks.
Award: $50,000.00
AshEli Threading llc D.B.A Brow Jefa
Project Title: Commercial Renovation
Project Summary: Upgrade brow studio by building two treatment rooms with new walls, drywall, and three interior doors, constructing two headers, removing two walls, installing new flooring, upgrading electrical systems, adding baseboard heaters, installing salon chairs, drawers to stations, shelves, mirrors, and installing a new sink while updating an existing sink for better client service.
Award: $40,000.00
Far East Inc
Project Title: Bathroom plumbing, electrical
Project Summary: Update and remodel both Men and Women bathroom, especially the plumbing; Update electrical panel other electrical work.
Award: $50,000.00
Cook St Paul, LLC
Project Title: Commercial Kitchen Buildout
Project Summary: Turn what is a current garage/storage space into commercial kitchen. Bring walls, floors, ceiling up to MDH code. Add electrical and plumbing needing for a commercial kitchen.
Award: $50,000.00
ROLU, LLC
Project Title: Rolu - Mi Linda Tierra Expansion
Project Summary: New Construction Residential of a 2nd Floor Apartment (only one apartment exists now), Reno/Rehab Commercial -back end of building to add new storage space - extends footprint of building. Renovation of basement below existing storage to create secure foundation, Renovation of current first floor storage to create new commercial kitchen. Overall: Demo, HVAC unit, Electrical, New Windows, Roofing.
Award: $225,000.00
Tee Pwo Market LLC
Project Title: Tee Pwo Market – 2025
Project Summary: Repair a garage panel damaged during a recent break-in, install a new sign in front of the store to highlight our deli, and create new in-store signage to better direct customers to products. Additionally, STAR funds will cover the cost of a new menu sign for the deli area. Any non-permanent items, such as display fixtures, will be funded privately.
Award: $45,000.00
Burl Gallery
Project Title: Burl Gallery
Project Summary: Install a utility sink and drain into existing plumbing in the adjacent #125 art studio/storage space adjacent to the Burl Gallery. The Burl Gallery is located in the Northern Warehouse in Lowertown Saint Paul, 308 Prince Street 55101.
Award: $5,000.00
North Garden Theater, LLC
Project Title: North Garden Theater Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Project Summary: Install spray foam insulation in the rear quarter of the building, the purchase and installation of new commercial-grade fans to improve air circulation, the necessary repair work on the front and rear entrances for weatherization, and the replacement of the main hot water heater with a new heat pump."
Award: $30,000.00
Friendly Grocery
Project Title: window and door glass replacement
Project Summary: Update building, 6 new windows and new door.
Award: $25,000.00
St. Paul Aerie No. 33 Fraternal Order of Eagles
Project Title: Eagles Club Aerie 33 Improvements
Project Summary: New Doors (3 exterior doors, one front door and two side doors and interior doors throughout); HVAC improvements, repairs and new mini-split; Kitchen improvements; new toilets for bathrooms; new ceiling lighting to replace outdated fluorescents.
Award: $49,934.00
Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio
Project Title: CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio) Exterior Capital Improvements
Project Summary: CLUES will install new signage and public artwork on the exterior facade of our new Early Childhood Education and Family Wellness Center on Maria Ave and new public artwork on the exterior of our headquarters. These updates will make our buildings easier to identify, revitalize the critical 7th Steet Corridor, and celebrate the beauty and diversity of the East Side through visual storytelling."
Award: $75,000.00
Due Focacceria
Project Title: Enhancing Community Engagement and Safety at Due Focacceria
Project Summary: Resurfacing and re-striping of the parking lot, full roof replacement, installation of permanent LED lighting, permanent patio heaters, parameter fencing and construction of a shed enclosure to house a new permanently affixed walk-in cooler.
Award: $70,000.00
Cadenza Music LLC
Project Title: Expansion of Cadenza Music's in-house event space, Studio 20
Project Summary: Expanding Cadenza Music's in-house event space, Studio 20, to almost double the capacity and construct sufficient fire exits.
Project Summary: $47,000.00
W 7th Arts District
Project Title: W 7th Arts District
Project Summary: Design light post banners and signs welcoming people to the West 7th Arts District. A competitive process will invite St. Paul based artists to use their artistic creativity to designate, identify, and showcase the unique character of the West 7th Arts District. Artwork will be on metal materials to last well beyond 7 years.
Award: $25,000.00
Hmong Village Inc
Project Title: Hmong Village – 2025
Project Summary: Critical roof repairs and a fresh coat of paint for the exterior façade
Award: $200,000.00
Highlight LLC
Project Title: Golden Palace Asian Market and Deli -2025
Project Summary: Golden Palace Asian Market and Deli is a local grocery store serving Saint Paul's North End community. We are seeking $45,000 for permanent improvements, including installing a durable awning to improve visibility, provide weather protection, and enhance the storefront's appearance. Additionally, we plan to add a new sign on Rice Street for greater visibility, helping us attract more customers.
Award: $45,000.00
African Economic Development Solutions
Project Title: Little Africa Plaza Cultural Infrastructure Improvements
Project Summary: NSTAR funds will support permanent improvements to the African Museum, Art & Cultural Center (AMACC) & shared public areas at Little Africa Plaza, (LAP) including lighting, sound, & digital displays to spotlight exhibits, artists & entrepreneurs, promote AMACC's programming & AEDS programs, & extend its free, immersive art & cultural experiences to LAP's high traffic public common areas.
Award: $40,000.00