Recent content from Neal St. Anthony
St. Anthony: 'Patient' investing paying off for St. Paul's Hill Capital
The grassroots-investment firm, which also provides advisers, has raised a second fund of $25 million.
Jennifer Smith, leader of Burnsville's Innovative Office Solutions, has died
Businesswoman raised more than $1 million for leukemia research in the weeks before her death.
St. Anthony: Medical professions in Minnesota need more people of color in their ranks
Nurse Tykia Hess and Dr. Brandi Gorden Klukas overcame significant odds to become medical professionals.
Neal St. Anthony: Downtown Minneapolis is down, not out
The chatter is all over the place, and the moves are happening both downtown and in the suburbs.
St. Anthony: Canvas Apartments in NE Mpls. underscores need for more affordable units
Construction began this month in northeast Minneapolis on Canvas Apartments, a $71 million, 160-unit affordable housing complex by LS Black Development.
Twin Cities BIPOC business accelerator launches
St. Paul-based Center for Economic Inclusion joins with private partners on $5 million effort that will impact up to 60 minority-owned small businesses
Minneapolis American Indian Center breaks ground this week on $32.5M expansion
Two nearby redevelopments valued at $80 million-plus also will advance health, housing, commerce and art along Franklin Avenue corridor.
St. Anthony: Future uncertain for Good Clinic, a startup that looked promising last year
Four of its six clinics have closed and its parent firm has warned investors of "substantial doubt" about its future.
Niron Magnetics plans to power greener electric motors
The Minneapolis-based company has raised $77 million to develop 'clean earth' magnets.
Corporate volunteer mentors adding up through HandsOn Twin Cities
An Xcel volunteer signed up for a day and happily completed a 12-week project for Project Diva.
St. Anthony: Downtown crime is down as more workers return
Business leaders and police say statistics back up the assertion.
Developer Devean George plans $19M modular-home factory for North Loop
The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday will vote on a $2 million loan for the project near the Minneapolis Farmers Market.
St. Anthony: W. Broadway in north Minneapolis has another neighborhood-changing renovation
The renovation and expansion of 927 W. Broadway by Tri-Construction and partners also involves Black ownership
Minnesota-made hot dish meal kit business warming up after reset
It took Minnetonka's Jillian McGary six years and more than $60,000 in savings — and the reboot last year — to survive for a new chapter.
HelpSystems, one of Minnesota's largest software developers, changes name to Fortra
The privately-held cybersecurity firm expects revenue to grow about 50% this year.
St. Anthony: Alliiance, the architecture firm with two i's, is remaking Minneapolis landmarks
Alliiance is best known for airport renovations, including the ongoing, huge makeover of MSP.
Red Lake, White Earth solar energy projects mean new employment opportunities
Programs in partnership with Minnesota Power are changing the way the bands are approaching the projects.
$433M processing facility for proposed Tamarack mine now will be in N.D.
Talon hopes the environmental permitting process in Minnesota will go more smoothly without the facility.
St. Anthony: Crypto currency seems more risky fad than store of value
Kim Kardashian just paid a crypto-related fine of $1 million. That should say something.
Another $10M in grants will help riot-damaged Minneapolis corridors rebuild
The money will help 20 small businesses and nonprofits finish redevelopment projects.
Hennepin Theatre Trust pays off $14M of city-backed debt
The move, made possible through refinancing, will give the nonprofit full title to three historic downtown theaters: the Orpheum, State and Pantages.
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity grew 20% in past year
Thanks to a growing partnership with Bremer Bank and some hefty donations, including from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the nonprofit business is one of the top 12 residential developers in the Twin Cities.
Can we get renewables on the electricity grid faster in Minnesota?
Analysts from the Great Plains Institute, the Minneapolis think tank that studies this and other renewable-energy issues, talk about what needs to happen — and how likely it is.
David Cleveland, a Minneapolis community banker and MN Cup founder, dies at 89
Cleveland died at his farm in Wisconsin earlier this month.
Minnesota small business battles alleged counterfeiters on Amazon
The founder of Twin Cities-based InstaTrim has experienced a 35% decline this year on Amazon, its primary platform, after several years of rapid growth.
Federal government gives Sunrise Banks $250M for community-impact lending
The funds will result in $2.5 billion in new lending in the Twin Cities, Sunrise executives say.
Martel leaves Meda CEO role after three years; Bridges takes interim role
Meda is the largest nonprofit finance provider in Minnesota.
Whittier School community education coordinator leads and learns from neighborhood kids
Jeff "Nacho" Carlson guides Minneapolis youth and fellow mentors to green a small piece of the planet.
St. Anthony: Minneapolis plumbing supply firm now leaner, but ready to build again
Park Supply's bankruptcy case helped resolve its dispute with lenders but it still has a big rebuilding job.
Want to use green energy? A Twin Cities nonprofit can help.
The Green Neighbor Challenge founder talks about the $100,000 grant the nonprofit recently received and how it connects people with programs.
St. Anthony: Builder of Black women businesses adds wellness complex on North Side
Kenya McKnight-Ahad is part of a growing cohort of Black entrepreneurs providing space for other emerging businesses.
President of Minnesota solar group says new federal investment act should accelerate growth
The industry expects to exceed 10% of Minnesota power generation by 2030, Griffin Dooling said.
Minneapolis couple made a store their own — but struggle to find footing with longtime customers
Nancy St. Germaine, a veteran commercial-construction contractor, and her husband and business partner, Justin Wells, have struggled to get the former Welna Hardware in the Seward neighborhood rolling as Jack's Hardware and Farm Supply.
St. Anthony: Minnesota's mining push buoyed by new climate-change law
The proposed Tamarack mine boasts high-concentrate nickel, sought by Tesla and the growing electric-vehicle industry.
How a St. Paul safari company helps its Tanzanian employees, families
Business customers came through in 2020-21 for idled Tanzania employees of Minnesota-based tour company and its nonprofit Project Zawadi that educates hundreds in rural Tanzania
Roger Scherer, builder of lumber company and former legislator and Met Council member, dies at 87
He helped build Scherer Bros. Lumber in Minneapolis into a regional producer of wood and building products.
Hennepin County set to invest $10M in businesses, especially in riot-damaged areas
The Hennepin County Board on Tuesday is expected to approve the economic-recovery funds that are mostly for the corridors vandalized during the riots following the 2020 police killing of George Floyd.
St. Anthony: Hopkins' Digi International continues to outperform
Digi, the provider of devices that connect equipment globally to the internet, as well as software services, has been among Minnesota's best companies to own for the last several years.
St. Anthony: New restaurant is just latest project for north Minneapolis developer
Chris Webley is on a several-year pursuit to build businesses and spread the wealth on the North Side of Minneapolis.
St. Anthony: Volunteer trucker drives Vietnam War memorial replica around Minnesota
Doron Doravi, a Minneapolis trucker, delivered a replica of the Vietnam War Memorial during a Minnesota leg of its national tour.
Two Twin Cities business groups — Itasca Project and Greater MSP — are merging
Itasca, started in 2003 by volunteer leaders in search of bipartisan policy recommendations, will become part of the Greater MSP economic development organization.
St. Paul investment officer focuses on diversity, ESG because it's good for business
Shannon O'Leary, chief investment officer of the St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation, expects her fund managers to invest in stakeholder-driven companies and to diversify their investment teams because that's best for long-term performance as well as the right thing to do.
St. Anthony: North Mpls. wellness center owner and ex-felon gets rare SBA loan
Crystal Hill-Hover recently raised expansion capital through Alerus bank for her Twin Cities Wellness Center & Recovery Gym in north Minneapolis.
St. Anthony: Twin Cities software firm is saved by many hands after founder's accident
Bromelkamp Co. has a new name and is growing, three years after its founder's accident created uncertainty.
St. Anthony: Marketing exec bolts beer giant to build Twin Cities landscaper
Steve Mura, a top marketing executive at Molson Coors, quit the politics of corporate life to run his own business.
St. Anthony: Latvian-born Minnesota businessman, long wary of Russia, says consume more Stoli
Latvia — one of the three small Baltic states that border Russia and where Stoli is made — is encouraging Minnesota investment.
St. Anthony: Two longtime medical cannabis advocates see progress — but more to be made
Bruce Bomier, 75, a disabled Vietnam War veteran and retired businessman, and Dr. Kyle Kingsley, 46, who started Minnesota's largest medical marijuana concern in 2014, are stalwarts in advocacy in Minnesota.
Leadership program alumni tackling diversity issues facing Minnesota
The Minnesota Young American Leaders Program has helped tackle business and education leadership diversity, among other topics.
Twin Cities environmental engineering firm in right business at right time
Nova Group, a 35-year-old, St. Louis Park-based company, has grown as commercial real estate investors add environmental goals to their businesses.
Steve Truax, a Marine in Vietnam, diamond cutter, business owner and volunteer, dies at 75
Truax had a passion for reading, walking and fly fishing.
St. Anthony: Minnesota legislative logjam despite surplus a bitter pill for businesses
The failure this month of the Republican-led Senate to strike tax-cut and bonding deals with Gov. Tim Walz is bitter for several industries.
Renewable energy pioneer's ultra-efficient Minneapolis duplex snapped up quickly
After 44 years, renewable energy-pioneer John Dunlop and wife are selling the duplex they converted from energy hog to low-carbon castle since 1978.
Despite bumps, plant-based aviation fuels maker Gevo continues its stock flight
The company is launching a huge plant in South Dakota to produce no-carbon aviation fuel.
St. Anthony: Driven Minnesota entrepreneur's three-salon business still growing
Melanie Richards, raised by an accomplished single mom and a state trooper grandfather, has always focused on women, including 35-employee goGlow.
Growth & Justice merges into larger Center for Economic Inclusion
The two focus on racial equity and widespread prosperity as ingredients for stronger economy.
St. Anthony: Duluth's Arbor Wood growing in soft Minnesota timber trade, opening Eveleth plant
The 10-year-old firm is expanding in a static industry to a renovated plant in Eveleth with its innovative use of less-desirable timber.
St. Anthony: Minneapolis firm strikes first major deal for its PFAS-fighting technology
A Japanese chemical company will use the technology developed by Claros Technologies, which will open a new headquarters and pilot plant Tuesday in northeast Minneapolis.
St. Anthony: There's hope for more Black entrepreneurs around George Floyd Square
Two years after riots devastated area businesses following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, owners are working to rebuild.
St. Anthony: Most Minnesota company stocks lost value so far this year — what's next?
The S&P 500 index of America's largest companies was down 16% through May 13. The Piper Sandler Minnesota index of the 50 largest public companies in the state was down significantly as well.
Construction starts on $68M apartment, commercial complex in north Minneapolis
The project is one of the largest ever outside downtown and led by veteran businessman Tim Baylor, Catalyst Opportunity Funds, private investors and local government.
Money-losing Minneapolis Club gains traction with two-year turnaround effort
The 125-year-old downtown club, facing membership decline and losses for several years, has invested in a comeback plan.
St. Anthony: Niche short-haul railroads say they need state money to keep tracks updated
Minnesota's small railroads and trucking firms want more state funds amid growing cargo-weight exceptions that cause disproportionate wear on county and state roads.
Public-private coalition plans $2B fund to revitalize Twin Cities
The GroundBreak Coalition will use business, philanthropic and public capital to help rebuild the corridor hit by riots after George Floyd's death and address inequities in home ownership and business in the Twin Cities.
St. Anthony: Minnesota solar firms, including Eden Prairie's EVS, growing at hot pace
The industry, albeit facing short-term challenges, is needed for the state of Minnesota and other entities to meet carbon goals.
St. Anthony: Humble Minneapolis entrepreneurs on the mend after COVID downturns
Julie Steller, founder of Steller Handcrafted Goods, and daughter Katie Steller, founder of Steller Hair, are growing after pandemic-clipped years. They operate across the street from each other in northeast Minneapolis.
Minneapolis Step Up expands career opportunities for diverse youth
Step Up veterans Hero Yang and and Farah Dahir are welcomed by employee-hungry Twin Cities employers.
St. Anthony: Soccer star Tony Sanneh's efforts show 'enlightened capitalism'
The Sanneh Foundation, run by the former soccer star from St. Paul, is spreading opportunity and success through sports, mentoring, nutrition and partnerships with St. Mary's University and others.
St. Anthony: Plymouth company finding new niche with recycled plexiglass product
Acrylic Design is selling its Recrylic replacement product that's made from recycled, petroleum-based acrylic to meet business-customer demand for what was a one-and-done product.
St. Anthony: Spire Credit Union's Dan Stoltz is the 'CEO on the street'
Dan Stoltz led a turnaround of the St. Paul credit union's finances and operations.
![Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minn. ] DAVID JOLES • david.joles@startribune.com Several people involved with Minnesota's new "clean-energy](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/WW6JRHST576LFEMRMZVNPYHGJA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Renewable energy investments becoming mainstream, from startups to global deals
Recent strategic acquisitions of Minnesota renewable energy firms, plus the opening of the Grid Catalyst clean-energy business accelerator, demonstrate how mainstream money is flowing to the sector.
St. Paul's Smart Care still strong after pandemic setbacks
Smart Care CEO Bill Emory made every employee a shareholder during tough days of 2020, and the company now has a new primary owner.
St. Anthony: State workers' comp group paying out record $600M distribution
The excess capital is a turnaround from 2009, when the quasi-public agency assessed $268 million to make up a projected deficit over five years.
'Right to repair' push back in front of Minnesota legislators
The "Digital Fair Repair Act" is expected to pass the Minnesota House, but has yet to get a hearing in Republican-controlled Senate.
