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Small BusinessMINNESOTA EDITION 2020resource guideSTARTGROWEXPANDYOUR BUSINESS1
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CONTENTSMinnesota Edition 2020Local BusinessAssistance8National Success StoryJerado and Joyce Reynoldsknow their local landscape forentrepreneurship support.FundingPrograms28National Success StoryJennifer and Jeff Herbert’smeadery has expanded into amultimillion dollar enterprisethanks to SBA assistance.11Local SBA ResourcePartners31SBA Lenders13Your Advocates48Financing 10114How to Start a Business49Need Financing?19Opportunities for Veterans5020EntrepreneurialOpportunitiesGo Global withInternational Trade5222Find and EINR&D Opportunities forHigh Growth Startups24Write Your Business Plan5426Local Success StoryWith SBA assistance NilesDeneen has expanded DeneenPottery while ensuring that eachpiece is still hand made fromstart to finish.National Success StoryCheeseburger Baby ownerStephanie Vitori perseveredthrough a financial storm and anatural disaster.58Surety BondsContracting60National Success StoryJennifer Rahn steers the coursefor Admiral Engineering,succeeding as a small businesssubcontractor.63Government Contracting64SBA CertificationPrograms65Woman-Owned SmallBusiness CertificationON THE COVER Hector Ruiz, courtesy of the SBA; Niles Deneen and potter EnochWilson, courtesy of the SBA; Amy Brace, courtesy of the SBA; Mohamed Haji, courtesy ofthe SBA; Jill Pavak and Deb Loch, courtesy of the SBA3
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PUBLISHED BYNew South Media, Inc.304.413.0104 newsouthmedia.comPUBLISHERNikki Bowman, nikki@newsouthmediainc.comDESIGNERHayley Richard, hayley@newsouthmediainc.comMANAGING EDITORHolly Leleux-Thubron, holly@newsouthmediainc.comASSOCIATE EDITORSPam Kasey, pam@newsouthmediainc.comOPER ATIONS MANAGERMeggan Hoyman, info@newsouthmediainc.comADVERTISING SALES DIRECTORHeather Mills, heather@newsouthmediainc.comADVERTISING SALESKelley McGinnis, Bryson Taylorsba@newsouthmediainc.comCopyright: New South Media, Inc. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the publisher. 2019 NEW SOUTH MEDIA, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDThe U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Marketing & Customer Service directsthe publication of the Small Business Resource Guide under SBA Contract #SBAHQ17-C-0018. SBA publication summer 2019 national edition #mcs-0089.WRITER/EDITORBecky Bosshart(202) 205-6677rebecca.bosshart@sba.govDIRECTOR OF MARKETINGPaula Panissidi Tavarespaula.tavares@sba.govThe SBA’s participation in this publication is not an endorsement of the views,opinions, products or services of the contractor or any advertiser or other participantappearing here. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.Directory listings do not constitute or imply an endorsement by the SBA of anyopinions, products, or services of any private individual or entity.Printed in the United States of America.While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the information contained here is accurate as of the date of publication, the information is subject tochange without notice. The contractor that publishes this guide, the federal government, or agents thereof shall not be held liable for any damages arising from the useof or reliance on the information contained in this publication.6
SBA Minnesota District Office330 Second Ave. S. #430Minneapolis, MN 55401(612) 370-2324Fax (612) 370-2303sba.gov/mn@SBA MinnesotaDistrict Director LetterWelcome to the 2020 edition of the U.S. Small BusinessAdministration Minnesota Small Business Resource Guide.The SBA helps make the American dream of small businessownership a reality. We are the only federal agency dedicated to helpingour 30 million small businesses start, grow, expand, or recover aftera disaster. The SBA Minnesota District Office works with an extensivenetwork of business advisers and lenders to help our state’s 515,000small businesses at every stage of development.To get started, visit an SBA office or one of our SBA Resource Partners.Starting on pg. 9 you will find listings for free or low-cost business advisers,which includes Small Business Development Centers, SCORE mentors,Women’s Business Centers, and the Veterans Business Outreach Center.Interested in small business financing? Find out if SBA-backed financingis right for you by consulting with an SBA specialist at one of our partnerlending institutions, listed in the green Funding Programs section. Thisguide also details SBA disaster assistance loans and SBA-backed loansexclusively for small business exporting. If you’re interested in gettingstarted in government contracting, read about SBA certifications and ourbusiness development programs. SBA programs and services help youbetter compete in the public marketplace.We're also helping create economic possibility in low-incomecommunities. The SBA works with the U.S. Department of Housing andUrban Affairs to increase investments in Opportunity Zones located in ourdistrict, often expanding from Historically Underutilized Business Zones,HUBZones. Stay up to date on SBA events near you and get valuable localbusiness information by following us on Twitter at @SBA Minnesota.Register for email updates at sba.gov/updates. Use our Small BusinessResource Guide to power your dream of starting, growing, or expandingyour small business in Minnesota.Sincerely,Deputy District DirectorBrian McDonald(612) 370-2337brian.mcdonald@sba.govPublic Affairs SpecialistSarah Swenty(612) 370-2316sarah.swenty@sba.govOffice of InternationalTrade Regional ManagerCarlos Sosa (se hablaespañol)(612) 348-1642carlos.sosa@sba.govBusiness OpportunitySpecialistShaun McClary(612) 370-2320shaun.mcclary@sba.govEconomic DevelopmentSpecialist/Veterans'LiaisonMike Jackson(612) 370-2335don.jackson@sba.govLead Lender RelationsSpecialistAlisha Podobinski(612) 370-2331alisha.podobinski@sba.govLender RelationsSpecialistsThomas Osborne(612) 370-2356thomas.osborne@sba.govDan Schmit(612) 370-2314daniel.schmit@sba.govLead EconomicDevelopment SpecialistTwila Kennedy(612) 370-2300twila.kennedy@sba.govEconomic DevelopmentSpecialistMaribel Reigstad(se habla español)(612) 370-2321maribel.reigstad@sba.govThe SBA Minnesota District Office7
LOCAL BUSINESSASSISTANCEHow We Did ItMadeto LastJoyce and Jerado Reynolds used SBAsupport to succeed.COURTESY OF SHANA SURECK PHOTOGRAPHYWritten by Micaela Morrissette8
LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCEChallengeThe company wasn’t growing in partbecause it wasn’t certified with thestate department of transportation orprequalified with the Connecticut StateDepartment of Administrative Services,Joyce says. She decided to tackle thecertification problem full time, leavingher nursing career. This was the changeshe'd been wanting to make, but sinceher background was in health care,Joyce didn’t feel fluent in the languagesof construction or business. Joycewanted to learn, and she had incentive:they needed the certifications to bidon bigger jobs. “Never be afraid to askquestions,” she says. Joyce needed tofind people with answers.COURTESY OF SHANA SURECK PHOTOGRAPHYReynolds Welding &Fabrication has grownsteadily, building a loyalcustomer base, sinceJerado Reynolds foundedthe company in 2005.“At first the company was just Jerado,”recalls his wife and co-owner, JoyceReynolds. “Then it was him and me parttime.” During the day she worked as anurse and spent her evenings doing allthe company’s paperwork. The Reynoldssank everything they earned into thebusiness—money, time, and energy. Sheremembers with pride helping Jeradoweld a stair railing at a local school. Herson later attended that same school,and she watched her child and othersusing the rail, benefiting from thehard work the couple did together. Itwas then Joyce decided as much as sheloved her day job, she wanted to devoteherself full time to the family businessin Windsor, Connecticut. She wantedto work side-by-side with her husband,fully focused on administration andbusiness growth. As they both hoped,word of mouth spread; clients madereferrals. Joyce was soon overwhelmedwith paperwork. They brought on twoemployees—doubling up in the busyseasons. They were able to maintain fourfull-time employees by 2009. After this,Joyce says, they saw that “things werenot moving.” She wanted to scale up.SBA Resource Partner, where “from dayone it was, Eureka! Everyone wantedto see us win.” Women entrepreneursreceive essential business counseling andtraining from this national network ofcommunity-based centers. Most helpfulwas the detailed personal attentionavailable through free one-on-onebusiness counseling. Joyce also learnedabout workshops offered by providers likethe Metropolitan District, a Connecticutnonprofit municipal corporation offeringwater and sewer services. At a meetand-greet, Joyce understood how muchthe SBA could help her business. AnSBA professional walked Joyce throughthe extensive paperwork and, crucially,helped her register the company inthe System for Award Management(sam.gov), positioning the company fornew federal contracts.“Resources like the EntrepreneurialCenter and the SBA will train you frombottom to top,” Joyce says. “They havefinance classes that open your eyesregarding taxes. You'll learn how toregister your business. They’ll helpwith a contract or your website oraccountability statements. Everything!”Before the SBA, Reynolds Weldingattempted the DOT certification on fiveseparate occasions, always falling shortbecause the process was so complicated.Joyce secured the certification with SBAguidance on the first attempt.BenefitSolutionShe and Jerado connected with theUniversity of Hartford EntrepreneurialCenter & Women’s Business Center, anReynolds Welding now employs morethan 15 workers, constructing stairs,rails, structural beams, and columnsthroughout the region. Jerado is working5Tips forSuccessFind a great business mentor.To find your local SBA office andresource partners in your area, visitsba.gov/localresources.Have a healthy viewof competition.We’re not always competing.We’re a competitor, but if a similarbusiness has extra work, they’ll sendit to us and vice versa. That’s therelationship to have.Record everything you do.Navigating business relationshipsin this age means keeping an emailrecord of everything you do. Leave aclear paper trail.Sacrifice to ensure quality.We don’t cut corners. Sometimes youhave to lose money to do quality work—it’s rough, but nothing is more important.Seek SBA assistance tosee if you qualify forbusiness certifications.We used to look for jobs. Now thatwe’re on the SBA SubcontractingNetwork database, SubNet, andsam.gov, we have a continuous flowof contractors reaching out to us.on two bridges—a lifelong dream. Joycecontinues to move forward, gettingReynolds qualified for the SBA 8(a)Business Development Program, whichprovides free business developmenteducation to small businesses so theycan better compete in the public sector.“When I came on full time, I set a goalfor what I would like for the company,and I’ve achieved 80% of that,” Joycesays. When she secures 8(a) certificationfor Reynolds, she’ll have hit all herobjectives. Then, she admits, she’llprobably come up with some new ones.9
LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCESBA Resource PartnersNo matter your industry, location, or experience, if you have a dream, the SBA is here to help you achieve it. Our SBAResource Partners offer mentoring, counseling, and training to help you startup and thrive at all stages of the businesslife cycle. These independent organizations operating across the United States and U.S. territories are funded through SBAcooperative agreements or grants.950 Small BusinessDevelopment Centers300 SCORE chapters100 Women’s BusinessCenters20 Veterans BusinessOutreach Centers10SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERSAchieve your dream of business ownership and remaincompetitive in an ever-changing global economy with assistancefrom your local SBDC. Access free counseling and free or lowcost training on topics like regulatory compliance, technologydevelopment, and international trade. Find an SBDC adviser atsba.gov/sbdc.SCOREJoin the ranks of other business owners who have experiencedhigher revenues and increased growth thanks to SCORE, the nation’slargest network of volunteer business mentors. Experiencedexecutives share real-world knowledge to fit your busy schedule.SCORE mentors are available for free as often as you need, in person,via email or over video chat. Find a mentor at sba.gov/score.WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTERSWomen entrepreneurs receive essential business counseling andtraining from this national network of community-based centers.Each center tailors its services to help you navigate the challengeswomen often face when starting or growing a business. To learnabout SBA resources for women visit sba.gov/women.VETERANS BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTERSVeteran and military entrepreneurs receive business training,counseling, and referrals to other SBA Resource Partners ata Veterans Business Outreach Center, sba.gov/vboc. Receiveprocurement guidance to better compete for governmentcontracts. VBOCs also serve active duty service members,National Guard or Reserve members, veterans of any era, andmilitary spouses.
LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCEOur Local SBAResource PartnersSBA’s Resource Partners are independent organizations funded through SBA cooperativeagreements or grants.SmallBusinessDevelopmentCentersNorthwest RegionNorthwest Minnesota FoundationBemidji(218) 755-4255nwsbdc.orgSouth Central RegionTwin Cities MetroSoutheast RegionLead Center St. PaulMinnesota State University-MankatoMankato(507) 389-8875myminnesotabusiness.comRochester Community and Technical CollegeRochester(507) 285-7536rochestersbdc.comUniversity of St. ThomasMinneapolis(651) 962-4500stthomas.edu/sbdcDepartment of Employment andEconomic Development(877) 653-8333mn.gov/deed/business/help/sbdcAdelle Starin is growing Babies onBroadway in Little Falls, MN thanks toguidance from the Women’s BusinessAlliance, an SBA Resource Partner.Northeast RegionNorthland FoundationDuluth(218) 726-7298nesbdc.orgWest Central RegionConcordia CollegeMoorhead(218) 299-3037westcentralmnsbdc.comCentral Lakes CollegeBrainerd(218) Central RegionSt. Cloud State UniversitySt. Cloud(320) 308-4842stcloudstate.edu/sbdcSouthwest RegionSouthwest Minnesota State UniversityMarshall(507) 537-7386sbdcassistance.comCOURTESY OF THE SBANorth Central RegionWomen’s BusinessCentersEntrepreneur FundWomen’s Business ceDuluth (218) 623-5730Little Falls (218) 735-6033WomenVentureServing the twin cities metro area(612) 224-9540womenventure.org11
LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCESCOREVisit sba.gov/score to start working on your business goals. Contact your local office to schedule an appointment.Central MN-St. CloudSoutheast MN–RochesterSouth Metro–BurnsvilleMinneapolisSouth Central–OwatonnaSt. Paul(952) 938-4570minneapolis.score.org(507) 200-0760seminnesota.score.org(507) 455-3215 x124southcentralminnesota.score.org(952) 890-7020southmetro.score.org(651) 632-8937stpaul.score.orgSBA-backed financing helped Christine Lantinen scale up Maud Borup Inc., a retail candy company inPlymouth, MN. A U.S. Army veteran, Christine focused her business on selling giftable confections wholesaleto specialty and mass retailers, including Whole Foods and Target. The SBA Emerging Leaders program helpedher create a plan to purchase a manufacturing facility in LeCenter and create sustainable plant-based Eastereggs. She employs over 100.Veterans Business Outreach CenterCOURTESY OF MAUD BORUP INC.(320) 240-1332centralminnesota.score.orgVeteran entrepreneurs or small business owners can receive business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals to other SBAResource Partners at a Veterans Business Outreach Center, sba.gov/vboc. This is also the place to receive procurement guidance,which can help your business better compete for government contracts.Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp.(414) 395-4560wwbic.com/veterans12
LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCEYourAdvocatesThe SBA offices of advocacy and ombudsman areindependent voices for small business within thefederal government.AdvocacyWhen you need a voice within the federalgovernment for your interests as a smallbusiness owner, the SBA’s regional advocatesare here to assist. The advocates analyze theeffects of proposed regulations and consideralternatives that minimize the economicburden on small businesses, governmentaljurisdictions, and nonprofits. Find yourregional advocate at sba.gov/advocacy.The SBA’s Office of Advocacy alsoindependently represents small businessand advances its concerns before Congress,the White House, federal agencies, federalcourts, and state policy makers.Your advocate helps with these smallbusiness issues:The ombudsman’s office can help you:» if your business could be negatively affectedby regulations proposed by the government» if you have contracting issues with afederal agency» when you need economic and smallbusiness statisticsOmbudsmanEntrepreneurs who have an issue with anexisting federal regulation or policycan receive assistance from the SBA’snational ombudsman.» resolve regulatory disputes withfederal agencies» reduce unfair penalties and fines» seek remedies when rules areinconsistently applied» recover payment for services done bygovernment contractorsTo report how a proposedfederal regulation couldunfairly affect you, find yourregional SBA advocate atsba.gov/advocacy.To submit a comment abouthow your business hasbeen hurt by an existingregulation, visit sba.gov/ombudsman/comments.Make your voice heard by participatingin a Regional Regulatory EnforcementFairness Roundtable or a public hearinghosted by the SBA’s national ombudsman.These events are posted periodically onthe ombudsman website,sba.gov/ombudsman.To submit a comment or complaintthrough the online form, visit sba.gov/ombudsman/comments. Your concernswill be directed to the appropriate federalagency for review. The SBA will collaboratewith you and the agency to help resolvethe issue.13
COURTESY OF THE SBALOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCEUrban Growler Brewing Co. co-owners Jill Pavak and Deb Loch openedthe first woman-owned microbrewery in Minnesota with an SBA-backedloan. The SBA guarantees loans for entrepreneurs who are eligible andcan't find traditional financing. Jill and Deb bought beer canning equipment to expand production thanks to a second SBA-backed loan.How to Start aBusiness in MinnesotaThinking of starting a business? Here are the nuts & bolts.The Startup LogisticsEven if you’re running a home-based business, you will have tocomply with many local, state, and federal regulations. Do notignore regulatory details. You may avoid some red tape in thebeginning, but your lack of compliance could become an obstacleas your business grows. Taking the time to research regulationsis as important as knowing your market. Carefully investigatethe laws affecting your industry. Being out of compliance couldleave you unprotected legally, lead to expensive penalties, andjeopardize your business.Market ResearchNeed to do research on your clients and location? View consumerand business data for your area using the Census BusinessBuilder: Small Business Edition, https://cbb.census.gov/sbe.Filter your search by business type and location to view data onyour potential customers, including consumer spending, and asummary of existing businesses, available as a map and a report.Business License & ZoningLicenses are typically administered by a variety of state and localdepartments. It is important to consider zoning regulations whenchoosing a site for your business. Contact the local business14license office where you plan to locate your business. You may notbe permitted to conduct business out of your home or engage inindustrial activity in a retail district.» Minnesota Department of Employment and EconomicDevelopmentmn.gov/deed/business starting a business legal and regulatory» Minnesota Sales and Use Tax Permitsrevenue.state.mn.us/businesses» Minnesota Department of Commerce-Franchisesmn.gov/commerce/industries securities, franchises andsubdivided landsName RegistrationRegister your business name with the county clerk where yourbusiness is located. If you’re a corporation, also register with the state.sos.state.mn.usTaxesAs a business owner, you should know your federal taxresponsibilities and make some business decisions to complywith certain tax requirements. The IRS Small Business and SelfEmployed Tax Center, go.usa.gov/xPxYR, offers information on a
COURTESY OF THE SBALOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCEvariety of topics including: obtaining an Employer IdentificationNumber, paying and filing income tax, virtual workshops, forms,and publications.As the IRS continues to implement some of the Tax Cuts andJobs Act provisions, your tax obligations may change. Visit theTax Reform Provisions that Affect Businesses page on irs.gov forthe latest tax reform updates that affect your bottom line.» IRS Tax Assistance Centers(844) 545-5640 to schedule an appointmentBloomington1550 American Blvd. E., suite 700(763) 347-7509Duluth515 W. First St.(218) 626-1624Mankato1921 Excel Drive(507) 513-6990St. Cloud1010 W. Saint Germain St.(320) 251-9261St. Paul430 N. Wabasha St.(651) 312-8082» State TaxesMinnesota Department of Revenuerevenue.state.mn.usAmy Brace grew Amy'sCupcake Shoppe in Hopkins,MN thanks to an SBA-backed7(a) loan.Social SecurityIf you have any employees, including officers of a corporationbut not the sole proprietor or partners, you must makeperiodic payments, and/or file quarterly reports aboutpayroll taxes and other mandatory deductions. You cancontact the IRS or the Social Security Administration forinformation, assistance, and forms, at (800) 772-1213 orvisit socialsecurity.gov/employer. You can file W-2s onlineor verify job seekers through the Social Security NumberVerification Service.Employment Eligibility VerificationThe Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requiresemployers to verify employment eligibility of new employees.The law obligates an employer to process Employment EligibilityVerification Form I-9. The U.S. Citizenship and ImmigrationService offers information and assistance through uscis.gov/i-9central. For forms call (800) 870-3676. For the employer hotlinecall (888) 464-4218 or email I-9central@dhs.gov.E-Verify, operated by the Department of Homeland Securityin partnership with the Social Security Administration,electronically verifies the Social Security number andemployment eligibility information reported on Form I-9. It’sthe quickest way for employers to determine the employmenteligibility of new hires. Visit e-verify.gov, call (888) 464-4218 oremail e-verify@dhs.gov.Health & SafetyAll businesses with employees are required to comply with stateand federal regulations regarding the protection of employees,visit dol.gov for information. The Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration provides information on the specific health and15
LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE» Minnesota Unemployment Insurancebusinesses reduce emissions at the source, often reducingregulatory burden and saving you money. To learn more aboutthese free services visit nationalsbeap.org/states/list.Free and confidential services from the Minnesota SmallBusiness Environmental Assistance Program help businessescomply with environmental rules, reduce wastes and emissions,and reduce regulatory obligations. Learn more at pca.state.mn.us/smallbizhelp or by calling (800) 657-3938.» Workers Compensation in MinnesotaAccessibility & ADA Compliancesafety standards used by the U.S. Department of Labor. Call (800)321-6742 or visit osha.gov.» Minnesota Department of Public Safetydps.mn.gov/pages/default.aspx» Minnesota Department of gov/business/workers-compensation-businesses» Minnesota OSHAdli.mn.gov/business/safety-and-health-work» Department of Labor443 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul(800) 342-5354» Vocational Rehabilitation616 America Ave. NW, suite 300, Bemidji(888) 234-1116» Minnesota OSHA and Workers’ Compensation525 Lake Ave. S., suite 330, Duluth(218) 733-7810» Minnesota OSHA and Vocational RehabilitationMankato12 Civic Center Plaza, suite 1650(877) 470-6742RochesterAtrium Professional Building401 16th St. SE(877) 470-6742St. Cloud3400 First St. N., suite 405(877) 470-6742Employee InsuranceCheck with your state laws to see if you are required to provideunemployment or workers’ compensation insurance for youremployees. For health insurance options, call the Small BusinessHealth Options Program at (800) 706-7893 or visit nt of Labor Association Health Plans allow smallbusinesses, including self-employed workers, to band togetherby geography or industry to obtain healthcare coverage as ifthey were a single large employer. For information, visit dol.gov/general/topic/association-health-plans.» Minnesota Commerce Departmentmn.gov/commerce/industries Insurance small businessesEnvironmental RegulationsState assistance is available for small businesses that mustcomply with environmental regulations under the Clean Air Act.State Small Business Environmental Assistance programs providefree and confidential assistance to help small business ownersunderstand and comply with complex environmental regulationsand permitting requirements. These state programs can help16For assistance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, call theADA Center at (800) 949-4232 or the Department of Justice at(800) 514-0301. Direct questions about accessible design and theADA standards to the U.S. Access Board at (800) 872-2253, TTY(800) 993-2822, ta@access-board.gov or visit access-board.gov.Child SupportEmployers are essential to the success of the child supportprogram and are responsible for collecting 75% of supportnationwide through payroll deductions. The Office of ChildSupport Enforcement at Health and Human Services offersemployers step-by-step instructions for processing incomewithholding orders for child support. Download the fact sheetabout the Employer’s Role in the Child Support Program at theOffice of Child Support Enforcement’s website at acf.hhs.gov/programs/css employer responsibilities. You can also findinformation about other employer responsibilities and tools thatcan make meeting those responsibilities easier, such as electronicincome withholding orders and the Child Support Portal. Sendquestions to employerservices@acf.hhs.gov.Intellectual PropertyPatents, trademarks, and copyrights are types of intellectualproperty that serve to protect creations and innovations.The United States Patent and Trademark Office is the federalagency that grants U.S. patents and registers trademarks. Forinformation and resources about U.S. patents and federallyregistered trademarks consult uspto.gov. Call the patent andtrademark office help center at (800) 786-9199 or visit yournearest office at Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional Office inDetroit, Michigan, uspto.gov/detroit.A patent for an invention is the grant of a property right to aninventor, issued by the U.S. patent office. The right conferred bythe patent grant is the right to exclude others from making, using,offering for sale, or selling the invention in the United States orimporting the invention into the country. For information visituspto.gov/inventors.There are three types of patents: Utility patents may be granted to anyone who inventsor discovers any new and useful process, machine,manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and usefulimprovement. Design patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new,original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture. Plant patents may be granted to anyone who invents ordiscovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and newvariety of plant, other than a tuber propagated plant or aplant found in an uncultivated state.A trademark or service mark includes any word, name, symbol,
COURTESY OF THE SBALOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCEMohamed Haji, owner of Haji's Towing Service,received assistance and help purchasing his firsttow truck from SBA participating microlenderAfrican Development Center.device, or any combination, used or intended to be used toidentify and distinguish the goods/services of one seller orprovider from those of others and to indicate the source ofthe goods/services. Trademarks and service marks may beregistered at both the state and federal level. The U.S. Patent andTrademark Office only registers federal trademarks and servicemarks. Federally registered trademarks may conflict with andsupersede those registered only at the state level. Visit uspto.gov/trademarks.State TrademarksRegistering your trademark or service mark with the MinnesotaSecretary of State’s office does not copyright your mark, it onlyregisters it to ensure it is officially recognized with the stateof Minnesota.sos.state.mn.us how to register trademarks and service marksCopyrights protect original works of authorship includingliterary, dramatic, musical and artistic, and certain otherintellectual works. Copyrights do not protect facts, ideas, andsystems, although they may protect the way they are expressed.For general information contact:» U.S. Copyright OfficeU.S. Library of CongressJames Madison Memorial Building101 Independence Ave. SEWashington, DC(202) 707-3000 or toll free (877) 476-0778copyright.govChambers ofCommerceFor a listing of Minnesota chambers, visitmnchamberexecutives.comMinnesota Chambermnchamber.comMinnesota Black Chambermnblackchamber.orgMinnesota Hmong Chambermnhmongchamber.orgLatino Chamberlatinochambermn.comMinnesota American Indian Chambermaicc.orgQuorum-Minnesota LGBTQ Chambertwincitiesquorum.comGrow Minnesota is a partnership of 80 chambers conductingcomprehensive one-on-one site visits with businesses each year,tracking business cond
District Director Letter. W. elcome to the 2020 edition of the U.S. Small Business Administration Minnesota Small Business Resource Guide. The SBA helps make the American dream of small business ownership a reality. We are the only federal agency dedicated to helping our 30 million small businesses s
