Dayton's Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services of St. Paul, in partnership with Neighborhood Development Center (NDC), plan to open a small-business incubator and training center this summer at 809 E. Seventh St.

The primary focus will be minority neighborhood entrepreneurs who own small and start-up contractor businesses. Several are expected to open in the center, employing about 20 area residents. They include Green Light Architectural Sheet Metal, Everest Cleaning Systems, Ideal Commercial Interiors and Intown Sushi.

They will receive hands-on technical assistance from NDC. The St. Paul-based community development and training business has worked with hundreds of low-income Twin Cities immigrant and other entrepreneurs, and also spearheaded the redevelopment of a number of commercial-renovation projects over the last 30 years, including the Midtown Global Market on E. Lake Street.

The center also will work with 16-to-22 year olds planning for careers in the construction trades through City Academy, a St. Paul charter School.

The $2 million renovation of the incubator building is financed by Sunrise Bank, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, City of St. Paul, Dayton's Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services, NeighborWorks America and North East Neighborhoods Development Corp.