Overview

The Neighborhood STAR Program awards loans and grants for capital improvement projects in Saint Paul neighborhoods, funded by 50% of the city's half-cent sales tax proceeds.

Proposals must be neighborhood-based projects designed with neighborhood representation to strengthen Saint Paul neighborhoods and address problems, needs and opportunities. Proposals can be a project or program that results in capital improvements in Saint Paul. Innovative proposals are encouraged, and these proposals may be generated by neighborhood and civic leaders, organizations, and businesses.​

Key features of the Neighborhood STAR Program include:

  • A minimum of one non-City (private) dollar for every STAR dollar is required for all grant requests.
  • Any portion of a loan request over $50,000 must be matched on a minimum $1 for $1 basis with non-City resources.
  • Eligible activities include any physical components of strategies, programs, and/or projects which strengthen and/or improve the neighborhoods of Saint Paul.
  • Capital improvements must have an expected life of seven years. Examples of eligible activities include improvements to a residential, commercial or industrial property, economic development efforts or minor public improvements.
  • Eligible applicants include any public, private, or non-profit entity located in or doing business in Saint Paul.
  • Funding recommendations are made to the Mayor and City Council by the 21-member STAR Board, which is appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council.

Applications

The number of Neighborhood STAR application cycles is based on the annual Neighborhood STAR Program budget. When funding is available, the STAR Year-Round Loan and Grant Program provides access to initiatives that have a particular urgency and cannot meet the general program cycle.​

2023 Program Timeline

  • Application period begins: Monday, June 5, 2023
  • Application deadline: Friday, July 7, 2023 at 4 p.m.

Workshops

An in-person workshop will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023 (time and location still to be determined).

In addition, the Neighborhood STAR team has put together a virtual Neighborhood STAR Workshop for prospective applicants to view at their convenience.

Guidelines

The Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Program provides loans and grants for physical (capital) improvement projects within Saint Paul neighborhoods.

Eligible applicants include any public, private, non-profit or for-profit entity located in or doing business in Saint Paul. Eligible activities are permanently affixed, physical (bricks and mortar) enhancements that strengthen and/or improve the neighborhoods of Saint Paul.

Improvements may include commercial and housing rehabilitation, parks, streetscape projects, and economic development activities. STAR-funded capital improvements should have an expected life of seven or more years, and not be deferred maintenance activities.

Learn More

Board

The Neighborhood STAR Board tours, reviews, interviews and recommends applications to the Mayor and City Council for approval.

The board is made up of 21 members appointed by the Mayor for four-year terms. City residency is required and Minnesota State Law requires three representatives to be appointed from each City Council Ward.

Learn More

Last Edited: February 14, 2023