Bloomington announces entrepreneurship program, seeks business feedback
The Bloomington City Council held an informational meeting on January 15 to announce several community initiatives, including a 10-week business training program and a survey seeking feedback from local business owners about city permitting and approval processes.
The city announced the CEO Start program, a nationally recognized 10-week training designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs develop and test business ideas. Sponsored by Hennepin County's Elevate Hennepin initiative, the program has already produced 41 graduates in 2024. Applications are open through February 4, with classes beginning in the spring. The program aims to help participants build viable businesses from the ground up.
In a separate initiative, Bloomington launched a survey inviting local business owners to share their experiences with city codes, ordinances, and review processes. The survey specifically focuses on permitting, approval, and inspection procedures. City leaders plan to use the feedback to assess business owner satisfaction and potentially inform future policy or ordinance updates.
The council also invited the community to participate in a virtual National Day of Racial Healing event scheduled for Tuesday, January 21. The event emphasizes reflection, connection, and action, providing an opportunity for what organizers call "courageous conversations" to build a more inclusive and just society.
Additionally, the city highlighted a recent achievement: the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metropolitan area ranked fifth in the 2024 Arts Vibrancy Index for most arts vibrant communities in the United States. The recognition underscores the region's commitment to fostering a dynamic arts and cultural environment.
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CEO Start Program Announcement
The City of Bloomington announced the CEO Start program, a 10-week nationally renowned training for aspiring entrepreneurs. The program aims to help participants test ideas and build viable businesses, having seen 41 graduates in 2024. Applications are open through February 4th, with classes beginning in the spring, and it's sponsored by Hennepin County's Elevate Hennepin initiative.
Business Feedback Survey Launch
The City of Bloomington launched a survey inviting local businesses to share their experiences regarding city codes, ordinances, and review processes, specifically focusing on permitting, approval, and inspection. The feedback gathered will inform city leaders on business owner satisfaction and potential future policy or ordinance updates.
National Day of Racial Healing Event
An invitation was extended to the community to participate in a virtual National Day of Racial Healing event scheduled for Tuesday, January 21st. The event emphasizes reflection, connection, and action, providing an opportunity for courageous conversations to build a more inclusive and just society.
Arts Vibrancy Ranking Recognition
The city announced that the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metropolitan area achieved the fifth spot in the 2024 Arts Vibrancy Index for most Arts Vibrant Communities in the U.S. This ranking underscores Bloomington's ongoing commitment to fostering a dynamic arts and cultural environment.
Source document
[0:00] [Applause]
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[0:14] [Music]
[0:17] hello and thanks for tuning in to
[0:18] Bloomington today let's take a look at
[0:20] the latest news in Bloomington if you
[0:22] have a great business idea but aren't
[0:24] sure what to do next consider CEO start
[0:28] participants of the CEO start program
[0:30] will work with a group of like-minded
[0:32] peers through a nationally renowned
[0:33] training program there are 10 sessions
[0:36] over 10 weeks to test and validate ideas
[0:38] and outline the steps to build a viable
[0:41] business in 2024 41 participants
[0:44] graduated from CEO start and many went
[0:47] on to successfully launch their business
[0:49] the opportunity is hosted by the city of
[0:51] Bloomington and sponsored by henip and
[0:54] County's Elevate henpen initiative
[0:56] applications are open through February
[0:58] 4th and classes begin in the spring
[1:01] learn more and apply at the link on your
[1:03] screen if you already operate a business
[1:06] in Bloomington the city invites you to
[1:07] share your experience your feedback will
[1:10] help the city better understand business
[1:12] needs related to codes ordinances and
[1:15] review processes survey responses will
[1:18] be used by the city to better understand
[1:20] business owner satisfaction with
[1:21] permitting approval and inspection
[1:24] processes in Bloomington responses may
[1:26] also help inform city leaders about
[1:28] potential policy or ordinance updates in
[1:30] the future visit the link on your screen
[1:33] to participate you're invited to
[1:35] participate in the national day of
[1:37] racial healing the virtual event is
[1:39] taking place on Tuesday January 21st the
[1:42] event focuses on reflection connection
[1:44] and action it's an opportunity to come
[1:47] together as a community to engage in
[1:49] courageous conversations and work toward
[1:51] building a more inclusive and just
[1:54] Society to learn more about the virtual
[1:56] event and register visit the link on
[1:58] your screen the city of Bloomington is
[2:00] proud to announce that the Minneapolis
[2:02] St Paul Bloomington metropolitan area
[2:04] has been ranked the fifth most Arts
[2:06] Vibrant Community in the US in the 2024
[2:09] Arts vibrancy index bloomington's
[2:12] consistent presence in the index
[2:13] highlights the city's dedication to
[2:15] developing a vibrant Arts and Cultural
[2:17] scene and promoting creativity
[2:19] collaboration and a thriving ecosystem
[2:23] that's a wrap on this week's buzz if you
[2:25] would like to watch other stories
[2:26] highlighting people places and projects
[2:28] in Bloomington watch other stories right
[2:30] here on our YouTube channel thanks for
[2:32] watching
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Other Topics from This Document
Business Needs and Permitting Survey
National Day of Racial Healing
Arts Vibrancy Index Ranking
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