Join us February 25, 2022 at 10:30am for a FREE virtual event. All businesses and entrepreneurs are invited to this free virtual event, designed specifically with small businesses in mind. Ask us about labor, wages, hours, tips, sick-time, overtime, and breaks. Please email any questions for our panel and registration for the event at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view

Talk to legal experts about your business questions. November 17, 2021 9:30am - 11:00am. This free virtual event for businesses at any stage. Space is limited so that al attendees may engage with the panel. Panelists will answer questions submitted in advance and live questions if time permits. RSVP or email questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.... Read more

Business Boot Camp is a new program of Open to Business designed specifically for our clients with existing businesses.  Over the course of four weeks, participants will engage in a multi-session curriculum tailored to their business needs and goals.  

Working with a team of advisors, participants will dedicate focused time to set strategic objectives, think critically, and develop strategies relevant to their unique situation.  Boot Camp graduates will finish

Open to Business (O2B) is the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) program offering free business counseling and an accessible loan program for prospective entrepreneurs and growing businesses. O2B partners with cities and counties around the Twin Cities region to pair experienced business advisors with small business owners who need technical assistance and financing options. We work with a broad spectrum of businesses, from entrepreneurs with an early stage idea to

Minnesota Main Street COVID Relief Grants

Announced on Sept. 2, 2021:  The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will begin accepting applications for the Main Street COVID Relief Grants Program on September 20, 2021.  Applications will close on September 29 at 11:59.  Interested applicants are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming informational sessions and visit the DEED’s ... Read more

MCCD is proud to join a broad alliance of Twin Cities counties, chambers of commerce, community development agencies and other partners to build a local support network to help small businesses survive and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ... Read more

MCCD is excited to welcome two new business advisors, Noah Her and Carrie Mikkonen, to the team! Noah is the Business Advisor for Ramsey County, a new area for our Open to Business program, and Carrie is taking over for Anoka County after Kathleen's retirement earlier this summer. 

Meet Noah

I’m excited to get started working through the Open to Business

Da Fizz Biz Franchise Relaunches Under New Ownership

Entrepreneur achieves passive income dream with help from Open to Business

Kyle Kisch is the rare case of an entrepreneur who walked into Open to Business with one business idea, but ended up investing in an entirely different business. Kisch is happy to finally achieve his goal of developing

B52 Burger and Brew Opens New Lakeville Restaurant

Local restaurant B52 Burgersmade a name for itself in the Twin Cities burger scene within just a few years of opening. After launching in suburban Inver Grove Heights in 2010, B52 Burger and Brew earned the

Local Printmaker Revamps Popular Epitome Papers Brand 

Evelyn Miller purchases popular stationery and gift shop with help of Open to

Family friend restaurant offers craft beer, cocktails, and custom sandwiches for a relaxed dining experience

Ashley and Jon Norine didn’t know what kind of reception to expect when they announced the opening of NorthStar Tavern in Bloomington. But if the reaction to their first

New owner revitalizes Marine General Store's operations to serve growing Marine on St. Crois customer base

Marine General Store is the oldest store in Minnesota, having been in operation since 1849. In fact, it provided the inspiration for “Ralph’s Pretty Good Grocery” on the Prairie Home Companion radio show. But Marine General Store is more than just a

Delicious original recipes paired with striking design results in distinctive celebratory experiences at Cream of the Cakes

After growing up in her family’s two restaurants, Liz Shannon always knew she’d go back to her food business roots someday. When the recession hit and her husband was laid off, she decided it was the perfect time to get back into the kitchen and earn an income

Restaurant discount card program encourages healthy choices, with the convenience of eating out 

Lemon Grass Owners Purchase Building to Launch New Restaurant Concept

Chef Ann Ahmed opening Lat 14 Asian Eatery in Golden Valley this summer with help of gap financing provided by Open to Business

Lemon Grass Thai restaurant, tucked into a strip mall nearly hidden behind a grocery store in the northwest suburb of Brooklyn Park, doesn’t enjoy the best visibility. But

Down Home Traditions Thinks Outside of the Box

Natural Products line uses creative strategies to expand its Watertown-based operation

It’s not uncommon for cottage industry businesses to experience significant challenges when trying to expand or take on wholesale orders. But Meredith Free-Phillipps, owner and