As our business community navigates the sudden changes brought on by the COVID-19 virus, the City of Brooklyn Center is working to connect small businesses with needed resources and assistance. The following list includes resources to assist businesses and workers who may be impacted.

Additionally, the City has put together a survey for area businesses to take to help us coordinate and prioritize our response. Complete our survey here. It is completely voluntary and assistance eligibility is not dependent on you filling out the survey. 

Brooklyn Center is home to a high number of micro businesses, many owned by immigrants and people of color. Small businesses are integral and vital to the economic, social, and religious fabric of the Brooklyn Center community. Accordingly, the Brooklyn Center Economic Development Authority (EDA) has determined to offer locally owned and operated businesses within the community a forgivable loan opportunity to address working capital needs upon the declaration of a state of emergency by the State of Minnesota (State) and the City of Brooklyn Center (City). 

The purpose of this program is to ensure the viability of the community’s small businesses faced with the current COVID-19 health emergency, which is adversely affecting the City’s economy. The goal of this program is to provide businesses small loans with deferred payment and forgiveness options to allow for access to working capital and to encourage businesses to seek out technical assistance and other resources which may help them weather this difficult time. 

Loan funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible applicants. The program is subject to funding availability from the EDA. The EDA retains the authority and discretion to approve or deny an application, and reserves the right to subsequently add further priorities, change eligibility criteria, or discontinue the program in response to changing circumstances. 

To see eligibility criteria click here

To apply click here

Statewide Phone Hotline

The State of Minnesota is staffing a hotline to respond to COVID-19 general requests for assistance. The hotlines at staffed between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and can be reached at 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504. Here is a list of frequently asked questions and answers for businesses.

 Resources in Other Languages

The Minnesota Department of Health has COVID-19 informational web pages available in Hmong, Somali, Spanish, and American Sign Language. There are also fact sheets in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, French, Hmong, Karen, Khmer, Korean, Lao, Nepali, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.

Critical Industry Designation

On March 25, Governor Walz issued Executive Order 20-20, directing Minnesotans to limit movements outside of their homes from March 27 at 11:59 p.m. to April 10 at 5:00 p.m. Exemptions are provided for critical industries. This link will help you to determine if your business is in a critical industry.

Worker Health and Safety Regulations

Click here for OSHA resources and information for businesses related to the COVID-19 virus, including worker protections, health and safety guidelines, and federal updates.

Worker Labor Standards

The Department of Labor and Industry has COVID-19 related updates on labor standards, licensing and exams, apprenticeships, workers’ compensation, and more information.

Restaurant Closure and Food Safety Information

Click here for information on temporary closures of restaurants and bars. Click here for information on food safety for delivery and pick-up services.

MN DEED Guide for Small Businesses Who Need Help

MN DEED has put together a summary guide to help small businesses quickly see which state and federal assistance programs might be right for their situation. Click here for information on other resources for businesses available through DEED.

Minnesota Small Business Emergency Loan Program

MN DEED is creating a Small Business Emergency Loan Program to make loans of between $2,500 and $35,000 for qualifying small businesses. The loans will be 50-percent forgivable and offered at a 0 percent interest rate. 

Minnesota Small Business Loan Guarantee Program

This program provides an 80% loan guarantee for loans up to $250,000 made by a qualified economic development lender within this program. You can find details for this program here. 

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans

These are low interest, long term Economic Injury Disaster Loans for up to $2 million: The first payment is deferred for 12 months. The application can be completed 100% online at www.sba.gov/disaster.

CARES Act Guide

The US Senate has released the Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act This guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions.

Bank Loan Deferrals

Some local banks are allowing payment deferrals on loans. Contact your local bank partner to see if they are providing this service.

Shared Work Program to Avoid Layoffs

The Minnesota “Shared Work” initiative helps employers avoid laying off employees during an economic downturn. Businesses can apply for select employees working reduced hours to receive partial unemployment insurance benefits to offset a portion of their lost income. Learn more here.

Unemployment Insurance Access

Governor Walz issued an executive order ensuring workers affected by COVID-19 have full access to unemployment benefits. A company’s unemployment tax rate will not increase if its workers collect unemployment benefits due to COVID-19. For more information click here.

SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The SBA PPP is a new federal $350 billion loan program at SBA for small businesses, self-employed people, and gig workers to help them from going under due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health Insurance for Laid-off Workers

Anytime a Minnesotan loses health coverage, they are eligible to enroll in coverage through MNsure.org via a special enrollment period for the 60 days following the loss of coverage. If someone is eligible for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, enrollment is available at all times. Details are available here.

Corona Virus-Related Paid Leave for Workers and Business Tax Credits

The U.S. government announced that small and midsize employers can soon begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, immediately and fully reimbursing them for the cost of providing coronavirus-related leave to their employees. View the complete March 20 IRS news release.

Federal Income Taxes

The US Treasury Department and IRS extended the due date for Federal income tax filings and payments from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. Visit this site for the latest updates.

State Income Taxes

Minnesota has also extended the due date for income tax filing and payments from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. Visit this site for the latest updates.



Sales Taxes

Restaurants, bars and other hospitality businesses impacted by the temporary closure order have a 30-day grace period in paying sales and use tax, with no penalties or interest. Affected businesses with a monthly Sales and Use Tax payment due March 20, 2020 will have until April 20 to make that payment. These customers should still file their return by March 20. Find out more at the Minnesota Department of Revenue website.

Chamber of Commerce Toolkit

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce has put together a COVID-19 Business Toolkit, with links to a range of resources, including recorded webinars with recent updates.

Assistance for Artists

Springboard for the Arts sponsors a Personal Emergency Relief Fund that provides Minnesotan artists grants of up to $500 to compensate for income lost due to canceled gigs or events. More information and the application can be found on Springboard for the Arts’ website.


Business Consulting

To access one on one assistance from trained small business consultant free of charge, contact Open to Business advisor Rob Smolund at , or call 612-843-3260


Women Venture

Women Venture is offering training, loans, and business support while hosting a COVID-19 hub with information and related support links. More information can be found on Women Venture’s website.

Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD)

MCCD has several resources available to small businesses, and links to other related resources and programs. Visit the MCCD site to learn more.

Hennepin County Resources

For additional COVID-19 related resources and information, visit the Hennepin County Economic Development resource page.