Minnesota's Angel Tax Credit provides a 25-percent credit to investors or investment funds that make equity investments in startup companies focused on high technology, new proprietary technology, or a new
Eligible applicants are manufacturing and service businesses located anywhere in Benton County. Retail businesses are not eligible for funding. Funding in St. Cloud is limited due to the county’s loan
Companies that build data or network operation centers of at least 25,000 square feet and invest at least $30 million within 48 months may qualify for valuable tax breaks.
Key PointsObjectiveTo create and retain jobs and attract and encourage economic growth.Main Project Eligibility CriteriaAll nonretail and nonfarm business types that provide benefit to the ECE membership and the communities
The Greater Minnesota Job Expansion Program provides tax benefits to businesses located in Greater Minnesota that increase employment. Qualifying businesses that meet job-growth goals may receive sales tax refunds for
This program provides grants to new or expanding businesses located in Greater Minnesota for the purposes of training workers as quickly and efficiently as possible.
The Low Income Worker Training Program helps workers whose incomes are at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines gain new skills necessary to move up the career ladder
The Partnership program, is a program that focuses on providing training for both new and existing employees of participating businesses throughout the state.
The Pathways program focuses on providing training, new jobs and career paths for people who have incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines or those who are
Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline exists to support employers in creating or enhancing a competency based, earn-and-learn dual-training approach to meeting their workforce needs. With Pipeline, workers receive a combination of related
Tackle your home improvement to-do list without breaking your budget with a Fix Up Loan. What are the program features? Fix Up offers a variety of financing options statewide: Loan
Benton County is working with Minnesota Housing to start you on the path to homeownership and help you find the right loan program to meet your homebuying needs. Whether you’re
The Minnesota Investment Fund provides financing to help add new workers and retain high-quality jobs on a statewide basis.The focus is on industrial, manufacturing, and technology-related industries to increase the
The Job Creation Fund is a “pay-for-performance” assistance program for companies meeting certain job creation and capital investment targets. Companies deemed eligible may receive up to $1 million for creating
The Minnesota Reservist and Veteran Business Loan Program provides business loans to companies that are affected when certain employees are called to active military duty and to individual veterans who
Opportunity Zones are a new community development program established by Congress in the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 to encourage long-term investments in low-income and urban communities nationwide.
Is your businesses, farm, multi-family housing building, nonprofit, or place of worship interested in energy efficiency or adding renewable energy like solar? A new financing tool called Property Assessed Clean
Eligible applicants are new or businesses located anywhere in Rice. Applicants must be in compliance with local government zoning codes as well as all other local, state, and federal laws applicable to
The City of Sartell has authority to provide financial assistance to development and redevelopment projects that provide benefit to the community. The use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and property Tax Abatement Financing (TAF) is governed by Minnesota Statute.
Sauk Rapids offers a full range of incentives that can be used to help make projects work. Such as Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Tax Abatement Financing (TAF), low interest loans, grants, land write downs, fee reductions or even possible waivers. Applications and Fees are provided after assessment of project and mutual
Whether you're an entrepreneurial start-up or an expanding manufacturer, several resources/services are available to help grow your business in St. Cloud. The St. Cloud Economic Development Department is here to provide you
The purpose of the City of St. Cloud Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) is to deploy and sustain a local pool of money to support private economic development and
Testimonials
BEP is a valued partner of the City of Foley. They assist our community with funding opportunities and provide much needed economic development support for our small city. We are particularly proud of the downtown façade improvement program BEP has helped us establish. Through the combination of grants and private investment our downtown buildings are looking beautiful!
— City of Foley
When the County needed help to administer COVID-relief grants for Benton County businesses, we immediately turned to the Benton Economic Partnership to manage a grant-making process, knowing BEP would work diligently to get those much-needed funds quickly out to businesses affected by the pandemic. Same with our economic development loan fund and County housing funds. We were confident in BEP’s ability to professionally and efficiently manage both programs, putting County resources to work in our community creating jobs and new tax base.
- Monty Headley, County Administrator Benton County
This grant from BEP will enable us to continue to provide our [video, audio and live event production] services. On behalf of me and my wife Gini, at Kalton Communications, please accept our sincere gratitude for this funding. We are very thankful that due to receiving this grant from BEP, our company will be able to move forward in providing our services.
– Bill
This morning I was pondering how I could pay the lease payment and insurance payments that are due and then your email arrived! This shutdown has affected us much more than last spring so this is much needed and appreciated. It has been slow since the weather turned cold and we no longer had the outside seating. Thank you again for all your help!
– May Kay Buhs
I want to thank you once again for your help in securing our grant from the Benton County Economic Partnership. As a small business, it means a lot to have that expression of encouragement and support from Benton County - especially right now! I appreciate you and Ross taking time to deliver the check personally, and particularly enjoyed meeting you, and our conversation very much.
– S.A. Mahon
This is a personal thank you to you - you have been a light in a very unsure time - you’re not just doing your job - you do it with great care, support and understanding. Thank you so much for all you do. It reminds me that there are wonderful people and you are one of them! You are amazing. Thank you so much!
- Tammy Molitor
Thank you so much for the grant check. I am very thankful to receive it. It will help so much with expenses in a year gone upside down. I look forward to meeting the board and other members. Thank you again.
- Cindy Batteson
I want to extend my greatest thanks for your help and patience getting us through the application process of this grant. We are very grateful and appreciative for the grant that Benton County gave us based on your approval. As everybody knows, it is a tough time for small businesses, and the money is greatly needed to maintain our current staff. Our staff have worked tirelessly to create delicious products and to deliver them to businesses around central Minnesota safely. We hope our work can make this rough patch caused by the COVID-19 pandemic just a little bit better with our homemade sweet treats. We made a huge investment in moving to Sauk Rapids a year ago, and to everyone’s surprise this pandemic has made everything difficult, so we are grateful and recognize that much of this good work would not be possible without your support.
- Jeff Muntifering
I can’t tell you how grateful Ron and I are to all of you. It’s hard to put this into words what it means to us to have the support and care of your actions. You went way beyond doing “your job” in order to show care and concern. We are so appreciative to live in a county with people as yourselves. You are making a difference in our lives. We will work hard at our business to take care of the families as well that support us. Thank you all!
- Tammy and Ron
Thank you so much for the grant funding for the CARE Program. We are so blessed you see the value of our program and how we fill a need throughout Benton County. Our goal continues to provide service to assist seniors live well at home with dignity and the respect they deserve. Thanks again!
- Connie Cardenal
BEP is a great resource for businesses looking to expand or move to the area. Their knowledge of the various grants and economic programs that are available to provide financial support to business owners is invaluable when they are looking for help.
When we developed the old Donlin building from an empty building in East St Cloud into the Harvester Square event center and Iron Street Distillery, Amanda was helpful from the beginning. She helped secure grant dollars for the building, and helped Iron Street Distillery obtain an RLF. Along with promoting the project and submitting the project for multiple successful awards. Amanda and the BEP staff are a great asset to Benton County!
- Kevin Johnson
Thank you very much for the generous grant money for my practice. COVID has really put a burden on us and we are seeing prices of PPE skyrocket! The money is very much appreciated, will be put to good use, and will help tremendously. Thank you again!
