Educational Program - Programs provided by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs to help with business skills, connections, and potential growth, including workshops and training. For current programs, click here Loans and Advising - Loans with no-cost advising. Loans offered: - City of Cook Economic Recovery Fund: Loan for local business in the city of Cook who are recovering from the summer 2024 flood - Gap Financing: Loan covers the "gap" between various sources of funding and the total cost of the project. Used for commercial real estate projects, such as mortgage or major renovation and has more flexibility than traditional lenders - Healthy Food Fund: Specialized loan for local food retailers and producers that helps with replacing dated equipment, investing in technology, expanding business, purchasing inventory, hiring staff, updating building, purchasing new or existing store, and more - SBA Microloan: Start up loan for working capital, inventory, or equipment purchase - Working Capital Loan: Loan provides access to cash for various projects and investments such as marketing campaigns, purchased inventory, upgrade equipment, or expand business operation.

- Promotes minority and women-owned businesses, Veteran-owned and Service-disabled Veteran-owned Businesses, and HUBZone businesses by offering an online data management portal for suppliers to register the products and/or services they offer. - Publishes the DIR National Minority and Women Business Directory, Supplier Diversity Information Resource Guide, and Purchasing People in Major Corporations. - Sponsors nationwide purchasing seminars on doing business with diverse suppliers; Online Data Management Portal available to members allowing them to manage their supplier diversity program with a single integrated tool.

Provides aspiring small business owners with the tools, resources, and guidance needed to succeed. Services include: - Business Technical Assistance: Comprehensive support in business planning, operations, and scaling - Culturally Relevant Entrepreneurship Training: Tailored programs that address unique challenges and opportunities for diverse communities - Micro Lending: Provides access to small loans designed to kickstart and grow businesses - Workshops and Resources: Interactive sessions and materials to enhance business acumen and connect entrepreneurs to vital resources

Educational Program - Programs provided by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs to help with business skills, connections, and potential growth, including workshops and training. For current programs, click here Loans and Advising - Loans with no-cost advising. Loans offered: - City of Cook Economic Recovery Fund: Loan for local business in the city of Cook who are recovering from the summer 2024 flood - Gap Financing: Loan covers the "gap" between various sources of funding and the total cost of the project. Used for commercial real estate projects, such as mortgage or major renovation and has more flexibility than traditional lenders - Healthy Food Fund: Specialized loan for local food retailers and producers that helps with replacing dated equipment, investing in technology, expanding business, purchasing inventory, hiring staff, updating building, purchasing new or existing store, and more - SBA Microloan: Start up loan for working capital, inventory, or equipment purchase - Working Capital Loan: Loan provides access to cash for various projects and investments such as marketing campaigns, purchased inventory, upgrade equipment, or expand business operation.

Educational Program - Programs provided by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs to help with business skills, connections, and potential growth, including workshops and training. For current programs, click here Loans and Advising - Loans with no-cost advising. Loans offered: - City of Cook Economic Recovery Fund: Loan for local business in the city of Cook who are recovering from the summer 2024 flood - Gap Financing: Loan covers the "gap" between various sources of funding and the total cost of the project. Used for commercial real estate projects, such as mortgage or major renovation and has more flexibility than traditional lenders - Healthy Food Fund: Specialized loan for local food retailers and producers that helps with replacing dated equipment, investing in technology, expanding business, purchasing inventory, hiring staff, updating building, purchasing new or existing store, and more - SBA Microloan: Start up loan for working capital, inventory, or equipment purchase - Working Capital Loan: Loan provides access to cash for various projects and investments such as marketing campaigns, purchased inventory, upgrade equipment, or expand business operation.

Aims to provide all youth in the greater Twin Cities area a clear pathway to lifelong, sustained, wealth-building careers with zero college debt. This will help youth support themselves, their families, and the future of the community. Academies offer different pathways and areas of interest for students such as: - Healthcare - STEM/IT - Automotive - Construction - Manufacturing/Engineering - Business/Marketing/Finance - Education/Public Service - Agriculture

Educational Program - Programs provided by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs to help with business skills, connections, and potential growth, including workshops and training. For current programs, click here Loans and Advising - Loans with no-cost advising. Loans offered: - City of Cook Economic Recovery Fund: Loan for local business in the city of Cook who are recovering from the summer 2024 flood - Gap Financing: Loan covers the "gap" between various sources of funding and the total cost of the project. Used for commercial real estate projects, such as mortgage or major renovation and has more flexibility than traditional lenders - Healthy Food Fund: Specialized loan for local food retailers and producers that helps with replacing dated equipment, investing in technology, expanding business, purchasing inventory, hiring staff, updating building, purchasing new or existing store, and more - SBA Microloan: Start up loan for working capital, inventory, or equipment purchase - Working Capital Loan: Loan provides access to cash for various projects and investments such as marketing campaigns, purchased inventory, upgrade equipment, or expand business operation.