Saint Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) recently announced the recipients of the $3 million Minnesota Cultural Mall Operator Grants program, which was part of the $70 million Main Street COVID Relief Grant package that passed with bipartisan support in the Minnesota Legislature during the 2021 Session and was signed into law by Governor Walz.
“As the son of immigrants and refugees, I’ve been able to see firsthand the benefits cultural malls bring to our communities across Minnesota,” said Rep. Jay Xiong (DFL-St. Paul), vice chair of the Workforce and Business Development Finance and Policy committee who co-led legislation for the program. “When we invest in our Black, Indigenous and People of Color business owners, we’re investing in our collective future as a state. Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and I am glad we could get this program signed into law.”
Grants ranging from $20,000 to $300,000 will be awarded to 12 cultural mall operators across Minnesota, whose facilities lease space to a combined total of over 1,178 Black, Indigenous and People of Color business owners. The following cultural mall operators in St. Paul have received $300,000 in grants:
- Hmong Village Shopping Center, Hmong Village, Inc.
- Hmongtown Market Place, Hmongtown Market Place LLC.
- Century Plaza, Century Plaza LLC.
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