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The Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED) has established an Economic Development Strategy to achieve these primary goals to ensure a strong economic future.

  • Increase the number of jobs in Saint Paul, and increase access to jobs and opportunity for residents
  • Grow Saint Paul's tax base to maintain and expand City services, amenities and infrastructure
  • Lower unemployment among the City's diverse populations with disproportionately high unemployment rates.

More information on the 2016-2018 Economic Development Strategy is available here.

Business Resources

PED staff facilitate business programs and services designed to help businesses develop and succeed in Saint Paul. We have a Business Resource Center that can provide assistance with business-related questions and can direct you to the many departments, partnerships and resources available to Saint Paul business owners and entrepreneurs.

When you call or email the Business Resource Center, our staff can assist you with:

  • General consultation
  • Funding application assistance
  • Connecting you with city departments or other agencies
  • Business planning
  • Site selection

Business Resource Line: 651-266-6600
You may also contact the Business Resource Center via email.

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A Place for Businesses to Grow

Considering the growing number of amenities for both residents and visitors, it's easy to see why many businesses are finding Saint Paul an ideal place to locate and grow. 

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Partnerships

Saint Paul wouldn't be what it is today without the collaboration with community partners and City departments working every day to achieve the City's goals outlined in the Economic Development Strategy.

Learn more about our partners:

Economic Development Strategy

PED has established an Economic Development Strategy for 2016-2018 outlining three goals:

  • Increase the number of jobs in Saint Paul, and increase access to jobs and opportunity for residents.
  • Grow Saint Paul's tax base to maintain and expand City services, amenities and infrastructure.
  • Lower unemployment among the City's diverse populations with disproportionately high unemployment rates.

Priorities:

Many elements combine to create economic growth: a dynamic community with housing, infrastructure and amenities attractive to people and businesses; a fair and balanced regulatory environment; and availability of a skilled workforce.

This strategy is specifically designed to address the elements that are primarily within the purview of PED’s Economic Development team, recognizing that other City departments and factors also contribute to economic development.

PED's priorities are:

  1. Expand business attraction, retention, and expansion programs to strengthen Saint Paul’s employer base.
     
  2. Support innovative entrepreneurship and small business development to compel new job growth.
     
  3. Build and market a compelling Saint Paul brand that conveys the distinct advantages of doing business here.
     
  4. Proactively direct new development to certain high-priority geographies and sites in the City.
     
  5. Invest in downtown Saint Paul to catalyze further economic activity.
     
  6. Align resources around neighborhoods where attention and investment can create momentum for resurgence while continuing to build on strengths and opportunities throughout the City.

Download a printable PDF of this strategy summary here:
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The full 2016-2018 Economic Development Strategy is also available for download:
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