Rochester’s Keep it Local, COVID-19 Innovators Grant Program

Collaborators 

Lead Organization: City of Rochester, MN, DMC EDA, Rochester Downtown Alliance

Contact: TBD ; Email: TBD ; Phone: TBD

Known/Likely Collaborators: City of Rochester, MN ; DMC EDA ; Rochester Downtown Alliance

Potential Collaborators:

Related Projects

Impacts 

Major Impact:  COVID-19

PlanScape Impacts :

Level 1: Economic Development, Funding, Governance/Public Policy, Pandemic

Level 2:

DMC Impacts:

Community Health Impacts:

Type of Project

Special  

The COVID-19 crisis has presented many challenges to Rochester’s small business community and has also inspired quick and creative innovation and collaboration. The City of Rochester has approved $50,000 in grant funds to help Rochester-based small businesses and organizations that are helping each other respond, adapt, and strengthen Rochester’s economy for the future. Destination Medical Center is making an additional $50,000 available for businesses located in the DMC/EDA geographic area.

HOW IT WORKS:

A small business or organization within Rochester applies for the Keep it Local grant for a specific service to be paid to another small business or service provider (or team of providers) within Rochester. The projects should help a business respond to COVID-19 in the short term and grow in a new way in the long term. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Payments will be made to the applicant business, and applicant businesses will pay service providers.

Need help determining the best project for your business? Contact SCORE or SBDC for free or low-cost business coaching. 

APPLY:

Review the grant details and application process below and apply here. The next batch of application reviews will begin following a deadline of Friday, May 1, 2020.

List of local service providers

LINK

Annual Report to DEED Prep 

PB Reporting

" Overall private investment related to the Destination Medical Center initiative bounced back in 2024, but non-Mayo Clinic development continued to decline in the DMC district for the sixth year."

SBDC Day and workshop opportunities: "If you have an upcoming business event or celebration, please let us know! We would love to stop by for a RIBBON CUTIING for any of your business." milestones:

Collider Cup

Collider Incubator

The MBA is an 8-week business and professional development program designed to equip minority entrepreneurs/individuals with the skills, resources, and connections they need to grow and succeed (offering business and professional development education).

Mayor Communications  

City of Rochester Mayor Kim Norton to attend the National League of Cities (NLC) 2025 Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C. from March 8-12, 2025.

City of Rochester Mayor Kim Norton to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) 93rd Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C.

DMC Feb 2025 Board Meeting Memo 

City of Rochester Receives $84.92 Million Federal Grant for Transformative Link Bus Rapid Transit Project

LINK Progress Report to City Council 

Rochester eyes TIF to support Transit Village, Public Parking

March 2, 2025 Update per PB Reporting

The City of Rochester and Mayor Kim Norton are excited to once again participate in the League of Minnesota Cities’ (LMC) annual Mayor for a Day Essay Contest.  

Feb 3, 2025 City Council Proceedings

PB Reporting  

Video Recording Link

Presentation

Collaboration Commitment

Results Report

City Council Study Session

Annual Report; Metrics and Accountability; 2nd Street SW Public Realm Enhancement; Public/Private Collaboration to advance City for Health brand; Video Recording

PB Reporting

ISIAH:  Ask Rochester City Council to Ensure Equitable Benefit of the Regional Sports Complex: "We believe it’s important that this complex offer equitable community benefit to residents and particular families who lack accessible recreation spaces and affordable, structured programs for their children."