By Kelly Law, MCCD Policy & Field Building Advisor

On Wednesday, September 7th, MCCD hosted a community economic development member meeting with a specific focus on labor market conditions in the Twin Cities. MCCD was lucky enough to be joined by two guest speakers from the Community Development and Engagement team at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis: Mary Hogan, Senior

By Zak Yudhishthu, MCCD Policy Intern

On Tuesday, July 26^th, MCCD hosted a member meeting titled “Reparations: Policy and Programs to Repair the Harms of Anti-Black Discrimination.” We were joined by the two leaders on the forefront of local reparations efforts, Robin Rue Simmons and Trahern Crews.

Robin Rue Simmons is a former Alderman

Development Manager  

Title:Development Manager
Salary Range:$65,000 to $72,000
Department:Operations
Hours:Full-time, 40 Hours
Reports to:CEO
Classification:Exempt

Organization Overview: MCCD's mission

We’re thrilled to introduce Eman Alaghbari for the Humphrey Fellowship program with MCCD. 

Eman is in Minnesota for the ... Read more

The new Child Care Facility Revitalization Grants program opens March 29, 2022 with federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. This is a new grant program to address child care facility needs and is a key element of the State of Minnesota’s ongoing efforts to stabilize the child care sector.

Grant Purpose - Applicants may apply for facility improvements, minor renovations and related equipment and services, including assistance to meet licensing requirements

Talk to legal experts about your business questions.

This is a free virtual event for businesses at any stage. Space is limited so that all attendees may engage with the panel. Panelist will answer questions submitted in advance and live questions if time permits.

March 31, 2022 | 9:30am - 11:00am 

... Read more

Title: Business Advisor: MCCD’s Open to Business Initiative

Salary Range: $60,000 to $70,000

Department: Small Business Development

Hours: Full-time, 40 Hours

Reports to: Director of Small Business Development

Classification: Exempt

Organization Overview: MCCD’s mission is “to work collectively to build

MCCD performs three core activities: advocacy and public policy around economic development, affordable housing, small business development, including providing technical assistance and small business loans for startup and growth-stage entrepreneurs, and convening MCCD member organizations and partners for peer-learning, networking, and professional development.  

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW: 

• MCCD is a consortium of

Join us February 25, 2022 at 10:30am for a FREE virtual event. All businesses and entrepreneurs are invited to this free virtual event, designed specifically with small businesses in mind. Ask us about labor, wages, hours, tips, sick-time, overtime, and breaks. Please email any questions for our panel and registration for the event at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disastrous effect on our communities' small businesses due to complications from shutdowns, labor shortages, and supply chain issues. However, within the small business sector, cooperatives and other democratically owned businesses are emerging as economic survivors. The shared ownership model has allowed businesses to pivot and be resilient during turbulent economic times and is now a rapidly growing segment of our

Emerging Leaders in Community Development Mentorship Program

Mentorship Program for emerging leaders in community development for early and mid-career Community Development professionals with one or more years of experience.

OUR MENTORS are leaders within the community development field who have specialized in a range of areas, including affordable and accessible housing development and rehab, housing policy, small business training

Claudia and Gerardo Guiterrez have been serving la cocina nortena to their immigrant community for almost a decade now. Authentic Northern Mexican food had been challenging to come by in the Twin Cities. They started by grilling outside of their home on Fridays for friends and family. Quickly this became both Friday and Saturday nights and then continued to grow into their successful restaurant Hamburguesas El Gordo. That growth has not yet stopped, with four locations open today.

The Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) hosted Minnesota’s first community development conference on October 6th in partnership with the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA). The MCCD Resilient Communities Conference was a success and brought together MCCD members, partners, funders, and other organizations working in the community development field to listen and learn about how we can grow the work and better serve

Talk to legal experts about your business questions. November 17, 2021 9:30am - 11:00am. This free virtual event for businesses at any stage. Space is limited so that al attendees may engage with the panel. Panelists will answer questions submitted in advance and live questions if time permits. RSVP or email questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.... Read more

Some exciting news from MCCD! Last month MCCD was awarded a $1.826M grant, the maximum, from the US Dept. of the Treasury CDFI  Rapid Response Program (CDFI RRP). MCCD and 26 other CDFIs in Minnesota received this

2021 End of Session Wrap-Up

The past 18 months have been a slog at the Minnesota State Capitol, with lawmakers meeting in session every month since February 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Governor and lawmakers to adopt and consider several emergency policy and funding measures like emergency funding for

Getachew Teklu, owner of Admas Travel, in front of his business area that was destroyed during the uprisings in May 2020. Photo by Tony Nelson, courtesy of Lake Street Council.

The following was sent as a letter to the offices of Governor Tim Walz,

Business Boot Camp is a new program of Open to Business designed specifically for our clients with existing businesses.  Over the course of four weeks, participants will engage in a multi-session curriculum tailored to their business needs and goals.  

Working with a team of advisors, participants will dedicate focused time to set strategic objectives, think critically, and develop strategies relevant to their unique situation.  Boot Camp graduates will finish

In January, MCCD’s Board of Directors voted to approve the 2021 Policy Agenda, which is now posted on our website. The policy agenda shares MCCD’s policy and advocacy priorities at all levels of government and shares the proposals that we think would meet our mission “to work collectively to build strong stable communities by

Open to Business (O2B) is the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) program offering free business counseling and an accessible loan program for prospective entrepreneurs and growing businesses. O2B partners with cities and counties around the Twin Cities region to pair experienced business advisors with small business owners who need technical assistance and financing options. We work with a broad spectrum of businesses, from entrepreneurs with an early stage idea to