Show your Neighborhood Support - Spring Clean Up | | |
Folks are welcome to join us for our annual community Spring Clean Up on Saturday, April 18th from 9am - 11:30am. The event will kickoff at Caribou Coffee (1720 Rice St). Trash bags, gloves, and pickers will be provided onsite.
Rain or Shine, we will be there! All are welcome to come!
If you would love to participate in our neighborhood clean up, please RSVP at this link here so we can keep track of attendance. RSVP at this link here!
| | Thank you joining us for our Annual Community Gathering Celebration! | | |
What a incredible evening at the Rice & Larpenteur’s Annual Community Gathering on March 5th!
We are sincerely grateful to everyone who has joined and helped make the event a success. Special thank you to Community School of Excellence for hosting the event in their beautiful high school space. It was exciting to see a strong turnout with new and long term community members who continue to strengthen and support our organization.
Congratulations to all of our silent auction winners! There was lots to bid on and we are proud to announce that over $1,000 was raised for our community. Thank you to our silent auction donors and local partners for their generosity.
We were proud to feature several of our fabulous local restaurants for a free community meal. Thank you to Nanny's Jamaican Kitchen, Asia Fusion Kitchen, Friends Cafe, Groceries & Nepali Kitchen, and Cancun Mexican Grill & Cantina for sharing your incredible food with us.
Lastly, congratulations to our Community Champion Award winners! The commitment and leadership you demonstrate impacts the heart of our neighborhood. Thank you to McCarron's Pub and Grill, Do Good Roseville, Groceries & Nepali Kitchen, Nanny's Jamaican Kitchen, Saint Paul Parks & Recreation, Noelle Bakken, The Perfect Coffee, Cancun Mexican Grill & Cantina, and St Paul Public Schools - (Washington Tech National Honor Society).
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Say hello to our new incredible 2026 Spring Interns!
Kathy Htoo and Asama Ahmed are from the neighborhood and attend Como Park High and Washington Tech Magnet. Both student interns are excited to learn what it means to be involved with the growing community and making a difference. We are thrilled to have them join us!
Special thank you Saint Paul's Right Track Program for connecting us to our wonderful interns.
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Thank you to the City of Maplewood for inviting the RLA team to be apart of the "State of Maplewood" event.
It was a joyus event, full of celebrations of Maplewood's accomplishments and future ambitions going forward.
Watch Mayor Abrams Mayoral Address at this link here.
| | Now Seeking New / Renewal RLA 2026 Memberships | | |
As the organization faces a year of limited funding, the urgency for community members and partners to come together has never been greater. Member and donor contributions play a critical role in sustaining programs, supporting local businesses, and strengthening the neighborhood. Every renewal and new membership directly helps advance the Alliance’s mission and ensures continued impact in the year ahead.
Become a Member/Renew Here
| | Celebrating Community Wins Together - Explore the new 2025 Annual Report! | | |
One year, tons of community wins! Read our RLA 2025 Annual Report that shares the organization's story, highlights of achievements, featuring testimonies from our community champions, thanking our fiscal sponsors and partners, and much more.
View the 2026 Annual Report
| | The Rice Street Banner Sign Votes Are In! | | |
The RLA was proud to partner with the City of St Paul's Commercial Corridor Organization Assistance Program (C-COAP) and North End Neighborhood Organization (NENO) to engage our community in selecting the new banner design for Rice Street. Thanks to the incredible participation and thoughtful input from residents, the votes are in!
We’re excited to share that Design F, featuring a vibrant, multi-language theme that reflects the diversity of our neighborhood, received the most community support and will be displayed along Rice Street following the completion of each segment of construction by Ramsey County.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and help shape a streetscape that celebrates our community’s voice and culture!
| | The Rice Street Construction Projects | | |
Construction season is returning to Rice Street this spring, with Phase 2 of the Rice Street Road project set to begin in early April and continue through fall 2026. This phase will impact the corridor between Maryland Avenue to Sycamore Street. Community members and businesses should plan accordingly for ongoing changes to traffic and access.
Link here to view Updates of Phase 2 Rice Street Road Construction
In addition, to road construction, there will be community engagement for the upcoming Arlington Avenue Reconstruction project by St Paul (planned for 2027–2028), which will affect the stretch between Wheelock Parkway and Edgerton Street. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed and share input by visiting the project websites for the latest updates and details.
Link here to learn more about Arlington Avenue Reconstruction
Planning is underway for the Rice Street McCarrons Area Reconstruction, a future project that will impact Rice Street from Wheelock Parkway to County Road B beginning in 2028. This effort will be coordinated with Metro Transit’s METRO G Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, bringing long-term improvements to transportation, accessibility, and infrastructure in the corridor. Project leaders are actively seeking input from local residents, businesses, and community stakeholders to help shape the vision. Be sure to share your feedback and stay informed by visiting the project link.
Link here to learn more about Rice Street McCarrons Area Reconstruction
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The Rice & Larpenteur Alliance is excited to announce a new round of Business Improvement Grants. We are now inviting businesses that may be eligible for the Ramsey County Critical Corridors Program (businesses located in Maplewood or Roseville) to apply. Click below to determine if your project qualifies and to explore additional resources available to support businesses along Rice Street.
Submit an Application Today!
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Looking to make sustainability a priority for your business this year? BizRecycling can help improve waste and recycling practices while offering access to grant funding up to 50k. BizRecycling can help cover cost for eco-efficiency equipment, upgrades, and supplies. The grant can also aid in reducing waste pricing for businesses. Please consider applying!
PS: We are also giving out 2 Saints Tickets for those who schedule and apply for BizRecycling! Please connect with maichee@stpaulchamber.com for your interest in applying. First come, first served bases for the tickets.
Explore BizRecycling Opportunities
| | Join 2026 Small Business Summit & Expo | | |
Join more than 300 entrepreneurs and small business leaders from across the Twin Cities. at the 2026 Small Business Summit and Expo, presented by Wells Fargo.
Participants can take part in interactive educational workshops, visit or exhibit in our expo hall, and enjoy lunch that features small entrepreneurs and small business leaders sharing their own journeys and wisdom. New this year will also be a wellness area, where you can take a much-needed break. Invite your own network and come experience the day together!
Full schedule and speaker lineup coming in mid-May.
Our Partners:
This event is presented by the the Minnesota Black Chamber, St. Paul Area Chamber, Rice & Larpenteur Alliance, East Side Area Business Association, the Grand Avenue Business Association and the Oakdale Area Chamber, as well as the Small Business Administration and numerous sponsors. By bringing together the members of several chambers in the East Metro and beyond, we hope to offer a wide array of connections and support to our vibrant small business community.
For businesses impacted by recent immigration enforcement, wavier fee scholarships are available. Email kchung@stpaulchamber.com for further details.
Apply today for the Small Business Summit and Expo!
| | Right Track is looking for Employers to host Summer Student Interns | |
Looking for fresh ideas and energy to move your business forward? Consider hosting an intern through the city of Saint Paul’s Right Track program and help cultivate the workforce of tomorrow.
Since 2014, Right Track has connected talented, diverse youth with hundreds of local businesses through paid internships and professional development opportunities.
Why participate?
- Access motivated young talent with unique perspectives.
- Build your future workforce while making a positive impact in the community.
- Right Track covers wages and provides training support.
Youth Jobs Two (YJ2) internships typically run 10 weeks, 32 hours/week. These are career-focused internships for ages 16–21.
Be part of this transformative program and help shape our next generation of leaders.
Learn more and apply to host a Right Track intern.
| Ramsey County Inclusive Workplace Cohort | | |
We’re excited to share that the Inclusive Workplaces Cohort is celebrating its fifth year! Since launching in 2021, the program has supported more than 60 organizations, impacting nearly 14,000 employees in building more inclusive and welcoming workplaces. To build on this momentum, the application deadline for the 2026 cohort has been extended to April 6 (end of day).
We’d love your help in spreading the word to leaders and organizations in your network who could benefit from this opportunity. If it aligns with your own goals, we encourage you to consider applying as well.
What is the Inclusive Workplaces Cohort?
An executive leadership learning experience designed to help organizations take meaningful, lasting steps toward building inclusive workplace cultures.
Why participate?
- Connect with a network of leaders committed to positive workplace culture
- Strengthen your organization’s reputation as an inclusive employer
- Gain practical tools and strategies you can immediately put into action
Who should apply?
Organizations that:
- Have a presence in Ramsey County
- Can designate two decision-makers or leaders who can drive change
- Are committed to attending all sessions and completing a capstone project
- Are open to having their participation shared publicly
Up to 20 businesses will be selected, with preference given to organizations with 10–250 employees. Best of all—there is no cost to participate.
To learn more or apply, visit the Inclusive Workplaces Cohort webpage.
| | Support Our Local Businesses! | | Save the Date! - Community In Bloom | | |
Spring is in the air, and you’re invited to Community in Bloom on May 16 from 12:00–2:00 PM at Lake McCarrons Park (Roseville side)! 🌸
Come enjoy an afternoon all about Mental Health Awareness and getting outside; think fresh air, connection, and activities that help you reset and recharge.
We’ve got more exciting details coming soon, but here’s the fun part: we’re looking for local sponsors to help bring this event to life! If you or your business want to show some love to the community and be part of something special, check out the opportunities below. We’d love to have you involved.
Email us if you are interested: Kim@stpaulchamber.com
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