Downtown Revitalization – What’s Moving?



First off, last Sunday, Mike Logan from the Minneapolis Regional Chamber and I welcomed Portland’s city and business leaders for their 2025 Best Practices Trip. Many of our regional partners – including the Met Council, Greater MSP, our chambers, and downtown organizations – are engaging with them. We crossed paths with Jay Cowles, Charlie Zelle, and I know the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance provided a walking tour of downtown Saint Paul on Monday afternoon.

Last Chance - Join us at Career Connect Day. Register by Thursday to inspire students!

Join us for our fourth annual Career Connect Day on October 14, 2025, at the ​Saint Paul RiverCentre as we welcome more than 2,000!

This event helps high school students explore their future career possibilities and we are currently seeking sponsors and exhibitors - learn more.

Know someone who should enroll in LSP 2026? Applications are open now! 



Find out more information here and tell your friends and colleague to apply.

Drake Bank will host a free cybersecurity and fraud prevention event for local businesses on Tuesday, Oct. 29. This FREE networking and informational event will provide valuable insights and actionable strategies to help businesses better protect themselves from cyber threats and fraud in today's rapidly evolving digital environment.

Details:

Strategic Safeguards: Cybersecurity & Fraud for Today’s Business | Hosted by Drake Bank

Tuesday, October 29

8:00 – 11:00 AM

Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) – 550 Vandalia Street #170, Saint Paul, MN 55114

For more information see ATTACHED FLYER. Registration: CLICK HERE.

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Royal Credit Union (Royal) has named Andy Swope Executive Vice President - Chief Retail and Digital Services Officer. In his new role, Swope will oversee the integration of digital services, retail operations, product innovation, and payment solutions ensuring a cohesive, forward-thinking approach that aligns with Royal’s core purpose 

Click here to read the full press release.

Our President / CEO, B Kyle will be co-hosting Unlocking New Sponsorship Revenue: Fresh Ideas and Insider Strategies for Chambers on October 8 at 1 PM ET!

She will be joined by Matt Solomon, Co-Founder of BetterTracker. Together, we’ll reveal what sponsors are really looking for and share fresh, practical ideas to grow your Chamber’s non-dues revenue.

Save your spot: CLICK HERE

Lunch & Learn — Beyond Burnout: Redefining Support for the High-Performing Professional

Join Generate Benefits, Cadre, and R3 Continuum for a candid and practical Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, October 21st, 11 AM – 1 PM in Bloomington.

Dr. Tyler Arvig will unpack why high-achievers are silently burning out, the hidden costs of fragmented support, and what a new integrated model of resilience and performance can look like.

Location:

3600 American Blvd. W., Floor C, Team Conference Room, Bloomington, MN 55431

Click HERE to buy tickets.

Save the Date: Twin Cities Jazz Festival Returns June 19–20, 2026

Downtown St. Paul will once again come alive with music, energy, and community when the Twin Cities Jazz Festival returns to Mears Park on June 19–20, 2026.

We invite St. Paul businesses to join us as sponsors of this iconic event. From large-scale branding opportunities to intimate hospitality activations, there are many ways to showcase your company and engage with thousands of attendees. We’d also love your help identifying other companies who may want to support the arts and contribute to a vibrant downtown St. Paul. Together, we can keep this festival free, accessible, and an unforgettable celebration of our city.

For sponsorship details or to share suggestions, please contact us—we’d love to hear from you! 

Mary Fenske, JRI Marketing.  

Ph:  952.239.6566 

e-mail: mary@jrimarketing.com

Join Minnesota United FC for the fourth-annual Saint Paul Cup on Friday, October 3. This event, in partnership with Bell Bank, will feature a double header of both the girls and boys varsity soccer teams from the Saint Paul Public Schools district. This year’s matches will be between Como Park Senior High School and Humboldt Senior High School (for full background details you can read the press release here). This event is free and open to the public.

• When: Friday, October 3
• Gates Open at 4:30 pm, Girls Match: 5:30 pm kick off, Boys Match: 7:30 pm kick off
• Where: Allianz Field, St. Paul

Puck Partners Wanted: Score Big with World Juniors Fans

Puck Partners is your chance to get in on the action during the upcoming World Juniors tournament, December 26, 2025 - January 5, 2026.

As a Puck Partner, your business will be promoted if you:

❄️ Extend your hours during the tournament 

🏒 Offer food, drink, or holiday specials

🥅 Show some extra spirit for visiting fans

Learn more at one of two upcoming events:

1. Tuesday, September 30 | 8:30 a.m. | The Market at Malcom Yards
2. Tuesday, October 7 | 8:30 a.m. | Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub

REGISTER

You are invited to join MNUFC in providing an equitable opportunity for those looking for jobs and join a space for employers to connect job seekers, notably from the robust Spanish-speaking community in the Twin Cities. This event is open to everyone! We hope every employer with provide a representative comfortable connecting with career seekers in Spanish. 

When: Tuesday, September 30

Time: 12:30 – 3:00 PM

Location: Allianz Field West Concourse

Address: 400 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, MN 55104

Parking: Lots B & C

Details: There are no fees to participate. One table and two chairs provided.



Click HERE to Register. If you have any questions reach out to Jen Winterfeldt.

The M Health Fairview Center for Community Health Equity is launching its inaugural Accelerator Fellowship — a year-long program to support eight community leaders working on community health equity projects. Fellows will receive: 

·       A $3,000 personal stipend 

·       Up to $10,000 in project funding 

·       Monthly training, mentorship, and network-building opportunities 

This is an incredible opportunity for community-based leaders looking to grow their impact, deepen their skills, and connect with others doing similar work. The fellowship runs from January–December 2026.  

You are invited to attend an upcoming informational webinar or office hours to learn more:

·       Thursday, Oct. 2, 5 – 6 p.m. Informational Webinar Registration link 

·       Tuesday, Oct. 7, 12 - 1 p.m. Office Hours Registration link

·       Monday, Oct. 20, 5 - 6 p.m. Office Hours Registration link

Applications are open now through October 24^th. Visit the Fellowship webpage to apply and for more information, including application process, deadlines, and project guidelines. For questions, contact cche@fairview.org.

Weekly Office Fruit Deliveries 

Support workplace wellness with BrightSide Produce’s fresh fruit and vegetable delivery service! We provide weekly office fruit bowls filled with snackable, high-quality produce, making it easy for employees to stay healthy and energized. What’s more, BrightSide Produce is a local nonprofit working to improve access to affordable fresh produce. Your weekly deliveries support our mission! https://brightsidempls.org/pages/workplace-fruit-bowls

From the icy realm of Boreas to the sparkling lights of the Circus Juventas Big Top… King Boreas the 88th, John Harrington, will trade snowflakes for sequins as the Honorary Chair of The Big Top Ball, happening Saturday, November 8. This signature event is more than just a celebration — it’s a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to connect and show their support for youth arts and education through the Circus Juventas scholarship fund. Tickets are going fast – Click HERE to reserve your spot today.

A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors who make this event possible: R.F. Moeller Jeweler, DUAL STUDIOS, Blaze Credit Union, Larson Dental, Highland Bank, and Securian Financial.

Blaze Credit Union is searching for a Sr. Social Media & Content Creator to join their digital marketing team and drive our brand presence across digital platforms. If you’re passionate about storytelling, creating engaging content, and driving meaningful digital engagement, this is your opportunity to shine!

In this role, you’ll:

📌 Lead and execute creative social media strategies

📌 Capture and produce standout photography & video content

📌 Manage brand engagement across digital platforms

📌 Collaborate with partners and internal teams to amplify Blaze’s impact

Click HERE to join their team!

HepCat / JohnJeanJuan Downtown St. Paul Updates

Terry John Zilla is busy and making changes at his downtown base of operation.

People can still eat and stop at HepCat in the Osborn Building – but the coffee shop has a temporary home for the next few months.

Construction has started on the original HepCat to expand it.

• HepCat has been part of the Osborn lobby for the past three years. It offers breakfast and lunch alongside coffee and tea drinks. Much of its business has come from the building's tenants.
• After construction is done, the coffee shop will be reoriented to attract customers from outside the building and future tenants in the Ecolab University housing development.
• The expanded HepCat’s footprint will be 5 times bigger than it is now and will be designed to have more space to encourage tenants and customers to gather in the lobby.

Want to be a part of the Winter Carnival legend? Apply for one of the many royalty positions available, including Queen of the Snows, Royal Guard, Senior Royalty, Junior Royalty, and Klondike Kate. In addition to participating in traditional Winter Carnival events, our Ambassadors make hundreds of appearances throughout the year at local, regional, and national festivals as well as nursing homes, schools, and hospitals on behalf of the Winter Carnival and City of Saint Paul. For more information and to apply, click HERE.

The Saint Paul Winter Carnival relies on hundreds of volunteers each year. Please visit OUR WEBSITE to join the team.

Yorth Group Term of the Month: Restorative Development

The restorative development approach delivers systems-based solutions that benefit communities instead of addressing challenges piecemeal. Restorative developments support holistic and long-term ecological, economic, and social balance while preserving and promoting cultural heritage. Success is achieved by creating infrastructure and social systems that replace challenges (“liabilities”) with support (“equity”).

One in eight women and one in 2,800 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society. To raise awareness and funds for research and support, the society is hosting its Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mall of America. The indoor, family-friendly event will feature education, resources and personal stories from community members. Participants can register at makingstrideswalk.org/twincitiesmn to start a fundraising team. Organizers encourage the community to walk in honor of mothers, daughters, sisters and a future without breast cancer.

WORKFORCE

Tree Trust Offers Paid Job Training for Young Adults

Tree Trust is accepting applicants ages 18–28 for its Branches employment training program this fall and winter. The program is open to those with a high school diploma, GED, or completion of 12th grade and enrollment in a transition program.

The next cohort runs Sept. 3–Nov. 12, 2025, with another following from Nov. 17, 2025–Jan. 30, 2026. Participants work Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., earning $16/hour while gaining experience in tree care and landscape construction. Perks include free daily transportation, paid work gear, certification in CPR/First Aid and arboriculture, driving permit/license support, and a dedicated employment coach.

Click HERE to apply.

Join the East Side Employment xChange for the “Tap Into Talent” Career Fair on October 15, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Arlington Hills Community Center in Saint Paul, MN. This event offers a chance to network with employers and partner organizations, including HealthPartners, Morris Packaging, Saint Paul Public Schools, Talent Masters Staffing, TCOS, and others.

What to Expect:

• 9:00–10:00 AM: Resume and elevator pitch setup and feedback
• 1:30 PM: Guest speakers
• Open to ages 15+ (no childcare available)
• Business casual attire recommended
• Bring your resume!

Great opportunity for job seekers to connect, learn, and grow!

Click HERE to register - Registration required to attend