Equity in Development

Our Program and Goals

In November 2020, Rochester City Council approved measures to promote fair procurement and employment practices on public infrastructure and publicly-funded private investment projects. These measures include the Targeted Business contracting objectives, Prevailing Wage standards, and Workforce Participation goals for City-funded Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects.

Program	Description	Goals	Related Links
Targeted Business	We support small businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and disabled individuals	9% of the total value of commercial construction projects 4% for heavy civil construction projects	Certifications outlined in the dropdown below
Prevailing Wage	We guarantee fair wages for construction workers on government-funded projects	Depends on type of construction	Prevailing Wage Information (Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry)
Workforce Participation	We are committed to diverse teams ensuring opportunities for everyone in our community	Women: 9% People of Color: 15%	Workforce Goals / Minnesota.gov (mn.gov) - see Southeast Minnesota

Goal Thresholds

Destination Medical Center

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Barriers Study

Resources for starting and scaling a business

APEX Accelerator: Provides technical assistance to businesses interested in selling products or services to federal, state, and local government agencies.
Collider Foundation: Activates, connects, and empowers Rochester's early-stage entrepreneurs with start-up support, education, co-working space, and storytelling.
Red Wing Ignite: Supports entrepreneurs, businesses, and students for area economic growth.
Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc.: Leads and supports economic, community, and workforce development initiatives that grow and diversify the greater Rochester area economy.
Small Business Development Center Southeast Region: The Minnesota network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide the professional expertise and guidance for small business owners.

Targeted Business Certifications

The City proudly supports businesses owned and operated by women, minorities, and veterans. We recognize the following small business certifications:

Certification	Details
CERT (Central Certification Program)	*Administered by:* City of St. Paul *Description:* The Central Certification Program helps businesses gain recognition and access opportunities *Directory of Certified Businesses:* City of St. Paul's CERT Certification Program webpage
MNUCP (Minnesota Unified Certification Program)	*Administered by:* City of Minneapolis, Metropolitan Airports Commission, Met Council, and MnDOT *Description:* MNUCP offers a streamlined process across multiple agencies *Directory of Certified Businesses:* Visit the MNUCP webpage
TG/ED (Targeted Group/Economically Disadvantaged Small Business Program)	*Administered by:* Materials Management Division of the Minnesota Department of Administration *Description:* This program supports businesses that are economically disadvantaged or part of targeted groups. *Directory of Certified Businesses:* Visit the TG/ED/VO Small Business Procurement Program webpage

How to Apply for Certification

To apply for any of these certifications, please visit the Minnesota Small Business Certification Portal.

Resources for recruiting, training, and retaining a diverse workforce

Rochester, MN

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Contact Information

How to Apply for Certification