Recent content from Neal St. Anthony
Minnesota companies made deals in a hurry at the start of the year, then the virus hit
State's deal value in the year's first half was driven by Xcel's purchase, then sale, of a single property.
Minnesota and private partners need to support rebuilding inner-city commercial corridors
Many shops have shuttered indefinitely amid the one-two punch of COVID-19 and riot damage. But not enough has happened to get things going.
Ellison asks court to oust Bremer trustees, end battle over bank
Minnesota's AG says the trustees went astray of their directive, but the trustees say they will fight back.
Tactile Medical was one of Minnesota's top-performing stocks over the past few years, until coronavirus
Several analysts expect Tactile Medical to get back on track once the imminent challenges of the pandemic are surmounted.
VenueScreen, started by an event planner, is helping businesses navigate the return to work
Lea and Rick Barron, owners of Barron Event Planning & Management, a firm that has worked with many businesses in the Twin Cities, realized in…
SBA offering disaster loans of up to $2M to Twin Cities businesses, residents affected by riots
The move comes after the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied a request from Gov. Tim Walz for federal disaster aid.
Target will finance Summit Academy expansion in north Minneapolis
Summit Academy will operate the North Star Innovation Center in space vacated by Thor Construction.
How a business that hosts Japanese visitors in Minnesota is contending with the travel plunge
Family-owned Kiku Enterprises brings an estimated $10 million in travel spending to the Twin Cities annually.
Trades Hub helps young workers find Minnesota manufacturing jobs, scholarships
The electronic platform links young people, particularly women and minorities, to industrial and manufacturing employers, plus more.
Minnesota safety innovator invents better way to protect construction sites
Companies increasingly bought into the economical notion that investing in safety and preventing accidents avoids injuries, deaths and huge costs.
How a Twin Cities software company recovered after its founder's accident
The outlook has gone from calamitous to hopeful for Henry Bromelkamp and his company.
TCF Financial announces $1 billion loan drive to minority-owned small businesses
The company will concentrate on assisting minority- and women-owned businesses.
HelpSystems, fast-growing Eden Prairie software firm, acquires GlobalScape for $217 million
HelpSystems purchases GlobalScape for $217M.
Twin Cities software firm, after first turning down PPP, decided it needs the boost after all
You can't blame a struggling business, even one with reserves, for tapping cheap funds to help survive.
Known for Canterbury Park, Curt Sampson was a veteran entrepreneur who built several Minn. telecom firms
The homespun millionaire, who died Thursday at age 87, never acted like he was a big deal, business associates recalled.
Minneapolis business groups warn against 'dismantling' police, press for reforms
Downtown Council and others support a strong police department as well as a "continuum of safety strategies."
Twin Cities hotel workers and owners uncomfortable with uncertain future
Hotels can only wait for guests to return as restrictions ease.
'Big Brother' relationship grew into organization that touches needy families in Twin Cities
Inner City Ducks is a club of about 75 middle school boys and girls from Olson Middle School and neighboring Creekview Park.
A humble defender of Allina-Midtown market inspires hope on E. Lake Street
As the Global Market was attacked by looters, guards, volunteers rose to fight for what had been built.
COVID-19 crisis crimps funding for home-health aides in Minnesota
Advocates also say some of the smaller, weaker agencies will fail this year, compounding the worker shortage.
IPS grows hotter in a cool economy this year
Impact Power Solutions is a pioneer of the Minnesota solar industry with a new majority owner that has fueled red-hot growth in a recession. SmartPitch…
Capsule, a digital pharmacy, brings same-day delivery to Minneapolis
In seeking to be the paramount online disrupter in the emerging digital-pharmacy industry, Capsule has received notice for raising about $250 million in capital over several years, including $200 million last fall.
New apartments near U.S. Bank Stadium offer affordable housing amid luxury
The 169-unit complex has risen from a former church parking lot east of 6th St. and Chicago Avenue.
Afro Deli owner hangs on amid hope, caution and charitable cooking
Abdirahman Kahin responded to pandemic by switching to a nonprofit model
180 Degrees battled COVID-19 on top of tough mission to assist ex-offenders
The organization anticipates there is more hard work ahead to continue providing services while the pandemic threat remains.
Minnesota minority borrowers did better in second round of SBA funding
Frank Dogbe, owner of SOS Building Services in Minneapolis, decided not to cut jobs or the pay of his workers when the offices they cleaned…
SEC penalizes RBC over extra charges on investment deals
The regulator found the Minneapolis brokerage sold high-priced investments when cheaper ones should have been offered.
Peace Coffee brews a strategy to navigate difficult times
Consumers rushed to stores to buy coffee and food after the coronavirus forced most of them to work and study from home.
Women are the front line of the beleaguered hospitality industry
For many, focusing on work today helps them abate worry about the future.
Some Minnesota tech companies are still hiring, for now
The tech sector in Minnesota is still growing, even with the effects of the coronavirus.
Ken Melrose, the 'servant leader' at Toro for 24 years, dies at 79
Melrose revived Bloomington-based Toro and put it on an acquisition spree that turned it into a market leader.
Minnesota's high-tech trade group is letting go of the 'high'
The Minnesota High Technology Association will be called MnTech for short.
Minnesota's small businesses bear biggest burden of the COVID recession
It is forcing many into decisions they never thought they would have to make.
'Ambassadors' ready downtown for gradual return of workers with long list of projects
Downtown Improvement District ambassadors have focused on projects from deep cleaning bus stops, tree grates and sidewalks to greening tasks.
Some small businesses in the Twin Cities test the cost of ramping up
Owners balance ongoing losses against putting workers in danger.
Virus puts a chill on Twin Cities area farmers markets
Growers who feed the region's farmers markets are concerned.
SBA regional head defends first payroll loans as more aid emerges from U.S. and Minnesota
Trump signs a new round of funding for small business loans, with applications to start on Monday.
Minnesota company 75F returns SBA-guaranteed loan funds
A few other companies, including Shake Shack, also returned money to benefit more needy businesses.
Twin Cities relief agencies are bombarded, and some big donors step up to help
Catholic Charities, others are inundated and people and backers are helping.
These small Minnesota companies are filling big pandemic needs
The coronavirus outbreak created new opportunities for some companies, including small ones in the Twin Cities.
A trickle of SBA funds starts to flow to Minnesota small businesses
Federal aid has started to arrive to small businesses in Minnesota closed or harmed by the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.River City Builders and…
Employee-owned Twin City Die Castings pivots to medical products
Growth the past few years has come from making parts for Medtronic-built ventilators and hospital beds.
Couple weather closure of their Minneapolis church and nearby pub: 'We will get through this'
Jeff and Randi Cowmeadow for more than 30 years have led Calvary Baptist Church in Minneapolis and they more recently started Prodigal Pub nearby. They work hard and have faith, especially now.
Twin Cities commercial landlord sweats the financial squeeze in instant recession
Ann and Mike Roess are feeling the same squeeze in this instant recession as their shuttered tenants.
Twin Cities hardware stores 'in survival mode' to retain workers, serve customers
Hardware stores are "essential" businesses amid a commercial shutdown. But the stores are not teeming with shoppers.
Minnesota renewable-energy output grows as pollution from electric generation declines
Nearly half of Minnesota's power came from zero-carbon sources last year.
Regulators going after wayward bankers
It's further evidence that federal regulators are increasingly targeting culprits on executive row.
Minneapolis green cleaning firm gets swept out by virus downturn
The owners of many small businesses have been forced into making hard choices they didn't see coming.
Edina couple's solar-powered XTorch lights the way for low-income people around globe
The solar-powered flashlight, lantern and cellphone charger is a game-changer.
T-Rex Cookie founder retains resiliency in face of coronavirus
Tina Rexing's company had to shutter its two-week-old mall location and lay off new workers, among other steps to adjust to the changing economy.
SBA ramps up business loans as Fed pledges action
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) opened the spigot for low-interest federal-disaster loans for working capital to Minnesota small businesses suffering economic injury as a…
Twin Cities restaurant workers are among first victims of shutdown
Eateries were ordered shut except for takeout, so many had to lay off employees.
How Silicon Valley's Arctic Wolf made it to Minnesota's 'Silicon Prairie'
Arctic Wolf looks to double the size of its cybersecurity office in Minnesota.
University of Minnesota technology startups have raised $1.15B in capital
The turn started about 12 years ago, amid harsh criticism that the University of Wisconsin was doing a demonstrably better job.
Eden Prairie engineering firm EVS chased the sun to a bright future in solar energy
The fast-growing civil-engineering firm nearly failed during the building slowdown of the 2007-09 Great Recession but now grows its business in several states, including Minnesota.
Some Minnesota stores draw huge crowds as consumers hunt for TP and soup
Big-box stores fill up with nest-building shoppers while restaurants and stores empty out downtown.
Fridley business owner Keia Isaacson adds 12 years of increasing value at Lakeside Flooring
Contractors leader has had a tough climb up ladder.
Fredrikson & Byron president explains why law firm won't lean into merger wave
John Koneck said the Minneapolis-based firm need not merge for scale or geographic diversification, as several Twin Cities firms have in recent years
Patience a virtue for Minnesota's Hill Capital Corp. as it launches $10 million fund
The Hill Capital crew has taken an organic approach by hosting "Empire Builders" open events and participating in as many as 200 other networking meetings and programs.
Prepare + Prosper prepares low-income folks prepare for an enriched future
Prepare + Prosper, with a small budget of $2.3 million funded largely by foundation, business and individual donors, has a significant impact.
'Fair repair' movement gaining ground with Minnesota legislators
"Fair repair" legislation is under consideration in Minnesota to force manufacturers to share their repair manuals and parts with independent repair shops.
Judge sets deadlines on Bremer suits; AG's probe to go on
A former top federal prosecutor was also tapped to serve as a "special master" in the dispute.
The IT refugee from St. Paul has become a board-game industry luminary
A roll of the dice pays off big for a St. Paul board game creator.
Google pledges $1M to five Minnesota nonprofit firms
Google this week pledged $1 million to five Minnesota social enterprises. The five are winners of the Google.org Impact Challenge Minnesota competition launched last fall,…
Minority employment surges among Twin Cities employers
Partnerships are providing jobs for students and workers for businesses. Employment of people of color in the seven-county metropolitan area rose 50% between 2010 and 2018.
Technical and artistic, this worker embodies the Twin Cities factory worker of the future
Single mom finds herself building a career after training program.
Minnesota business getting more comfortable with Gov. Tim Walz
Some Republican legislators gulped when the DFL Gov. Tim Walz proposed a $2 billion capital-spending bill focused on fixing roads, bridges and renovating frayed-edge public…
Twin Cities small business wins one against subcontractor in wake of Thor Construction collapse
Owner begins effort to change Minnesota law.
Small rail operators looking for $91 million in Minnesota help over several years
The economic ripple created by a $1.5 million state investment a few years ago in a freight-rail spur line south of White Bear Lake, has…
Bremer's profit rose 7% in 2019, and it gave $80M to the trust it's fighting
The financial-services company posted an above-industry average return on equity of 13% last year and return on assets of 1.22%.
Regis accelerating transition to all franchise-owned salons
The company expects to its transition will be 'substantially complete' by the end of 2020.
Minnesota saw more deals in 2019, but with smaller price tags
Minnesota acquisitions, mergers went small in 2019
Health care drew huge venture-capital investments in 2019
Health care — and sewers — drew big VC investments
Former Minnesota med-tech executive hitting gas on his electric pontoon venture
Howard Root plans to double sales of his Elux Marine's Breeze and Stealth pontoons this year, he said recently at the Minneapolis Boat Show.
On the cutting edge: Great Clips grows as competitors trim staff
Privately owned Great Clips continues to grow while its competitors have seen harder times