Recent content from Neal St. Anthony
Zero-carbon electricity now provides most power in Minnesota
Clean energy grew in Minnesota last year despite the pandemic and recession.
Former Viking accuses Wayzata financial adviser of financial misdeeds
FINRA is investigating and a South Carolina lawsuit sheds light on the dispute.
Housing, new bank proposed at Wells Fargo site at Nicollet and Lake
Project for Pride in Living to develop building, hire "diverse workforce."
St. Anthony: St. Vincent de Paul met surging demand from thousands in 2020
St. Vincent's, rooted in a number of Twin Cities Catholic parishes, proves that discarded merchandise and dated food can still fill a need.
St. Anthony: How a young female owner's 'vulnerability' helped heating company through COVID-19
Claire Ferrara went to St. Catherine's and to Dunwoody, then faced the leadership test of a lifetime just a year into taking control of the family business, Standard Heating and Cooling.
A plan to invest more in America from two Twin Cities investors
Shannon O'Leary, chief investment officer of the St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation, was thinking about the vulnerability of supply lines for American companies before COVID-19…
St. Anthony: After couple opened smoothie shop, downtown emptied out but they stayed
They keep it open daily in downtown Mpls. after virus ruined smooth opening.
Jim Luger, businessman and social justice seeker, dies at 90
Businessman Jim Luger protested the Vietnam War and worked for civil rights for decades.He also was an American warrior.In 1950, Luger, a young athlete from…
2 downtown Minneapolis restaurateurs get creative to survive
Fhima's got a break on rent and a new focus, while Afro Deli's owner put his team to work helping charities.
St. Anthony: Once-wilting Gevo shuttered its Minnesota operation, but sprouts new life
The collapse of Gevo has been predicted several times but the maker of renewable fuels has survived. In the past few weeks, its shares have been on a wild ride.
Minnesota's Claros commercializes 'green-chemistry' pollution fixes
A University of Minnesota spinoff is commercializing "green chemistry" solutions that combat coronaviruses as well as neutralize mercury and other industrial-born pollution"We solve environmental problems…
Thoma Bravo will buy Minneapolis-based Calabrio from KKR
The Minneapolis software firm's value is estimated to exceed $1 billion.
Fight for fair provision of health services in Minnesota isn't over
State health officials worked last week to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates of Minnesotans of color, amid the disclosure that they are being inoculated at
One idled Minnesota hotel-industry veteran opted for other work
Baheru Haile, an accomplished guy who moved to Minnesota from Ethiopia in 1978, likes to work.Haile, the son of a subsistence farmer, first earned a…
Payday lenders resist pressure to cut rates from around Minnesota
Interest and fees can combine to create effective rates above 200%.
Meda gets $1 million from Cummins to help Black-owned businesses in region
The contribution is one of several that Cummins made to Community Development Financial Institutions across the country.
Businesses damaged in riots after death of George Floyd still fighting for assistance
Ahmed Muhumud, co-owner of Midtown Eye Care, sought refuge for the business last fall in the Midtown Global Market after it was burned down in…
Minnesota home-health workers, PCA industry could use a financial boost
Mesuda Hudug, a veteran home-health aide and licensed nursing assistant, is pleased with the recently negotiated contract between the Minnesota Department of Human Services and…
MDI, a pioneer in workforce inclusion, seeks further expansion
One morning last week, Steve Reinardy, a nine-year employee of Minnesota Diversified Industries in northeast Minneapolis, sanitized surfaces to guard against the coronavirus."I clean everything…
Eden Prairie's Arctic Wolf is employee-focused — and growing
Arctic Wolf, a cybersecurity firm that moved its headquarters from Silicon Valley to Eden Prairie last year, is growing fast.
Minnesota lawmakers consider matching tax forgiveness on pandemic aid
It took a fight between Congress and the Treasury Department for the pandemic aid to become tax-free on the federal level. State legislators are thinking about whether to do the same thing.
SciTech interns boost future of Minnesota economy
Khalique Rogers and Tatem Rios are the embodiment of the Minnesota SciTech internship program that's expanding the essential pool of talented young interns and employees…
How North Dakota-based Alerus Financial built a sizable Minnesota franchise
A North Dakota-based financial-services firm, fresh off a 2020 initial public offering of stock and record earnings, is getting most of its growth from the…
Growth accelerates for Twin Cities cybersecurity businesses
Pandemic presents new opportunities as clients depend on e-commerce.
Minnesota's tax credit for angel investors works, should become routine
Gov. Tim Walz has proposed $7 million for the on-and-off Minnesota Angel Tax Credit next fiscal year.It should go back to $10 million with a…
Amid pandemic and legal dispute, Bremer Bank's finances held up solidly
Net profit slipped just a little but revenue rose sharply in 'challenging environment.'
How some bets on Minnesota companies paid off for investor Vista Equity
Some of the biggest wins for a Texas investment fund recently have been with Minnesota tech companies.
Twin Cities 'technologist' sees expanding future for young minorities in IT
Steve Buchanan caught a break as a teenager 20-plus years ago when a relative referred him to someone who worked for a small computer-consulting firm.The…
Venture capitalists invested a record $1.9B in state in 2020
Health insurers, food farms drew some of the biggest investments in state history.
Dileep Rao, former venture capitalist, says VCs aren't the answer for all startups
Dileep Rao, a former venture capitalist, isn't celebrating the record $1.86 billion in venture money that flowed to Minnesota businesses last year.He's also not enamored…
Sam Riley, security chief at PPL in Minneapolis and friend to many, dies at 63
Sam Riley was an engaging, lineman-size man who ran a security business and protected people in Twin Cities inner-city neighborhoods for 35 years.Riley, 63, died…
Minnesota software maker takes prize at national competition for minority entrepreneurs
Plymouth-based Industrack was awarded $100,000 in the finals of the Metropolitan Economic Develoment Association's "MEDA Million Dollar Challenge."
Peace Coffee, G&B Environmental pruned, then grew to survive pandemic
Big-box retailers, IT firms that helped office workers connect from home, supermarkets and Amazon were among the winners as the U.S. endured the coronavirus pandemic…
Minneapolis-based Code42 adding employees again, eyes stock offering within two years
The maker of cybersecurity products cutback to preserve capital last year.
American Indian architect leads aeroponics farm plan for Iron Range to Meda finals
Denise Pieratos, who grew up on the Bois Forte Chippewa reservation in northeastern Minnesota, started her career after Tower-Soudan High School as an iron miner.Recession…
Retired Twin Cities Catholic Charities CEO Tim Marx credited as coalition builder
Tim Marx made way this month for his successor as chief executive at Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis after a decade of record…
U.S. Bancorp makes biggest gift to Center for Economic Inclusion
The $1 million grant will help the center's drive to boost employment for minorities in the region.
Tierra Encantada's owner has built the day care business she wanted for her kids
Kristen Denzer was touring a day-care center in Roseville for her two toddlers in 2013 when she spotted particularly unappetizing lunches."I thought if I'm going…
Minnesota's solar trade tested, but not bowed, by 2020
Michael Allen, co-founder of All Energy Solar of St. Paul, is grateful for a partly sunny 2020."All in all, it was a good year, but…
Third round of PPP has begun, with a headstart for minority-owned businesses
Community Development Financial Institutions started processing PPP applications yesterday.
Minnesota conference exhibit maker made COVID equipment to survive 2020
Until last March, nParallel was in the business of making booths, kiosks, stages and other equipment that brings people together at trade shows and conferences.To…
Twin Cities entrepreneur develops mental health website for teens
EmpowerU has received $1 million in venture capital toward product.
Minnesota former med-tech exec Root sells his electric-pontoon boat firm to Seattle maker
Owner Howard Root said merger needed for scale.
Minnesota electric-pontoon boat firm Elux sold to Seattle maker
Elux made its first sales last year, but Root knew it would need a larger firm to lift sales.
Affordable-housing project near Minneapolis Farmers Market among dozens getting Minnesota funding
An employee-owned housing developer from Ohio is partnering with Project for Pride in Living (PPL), a Twin Cities nonprofit pioneer of affordable-housing and supportive services,…
St. Anthony: Minnesota can do better on Black economic inclusion
Tom Gegax started his business career as a Shell Oil representative on Chicago's south side in 1968.He sold fuel, tires and other products to 14…
Success Computer founder found meaning in sharing success
Erik Thorsell, founder and owner of Success Computer Consulting in Golden Valley, emerged from a difficult period of struggle with addiction 16 years ago and…
Don Craighead, technology entrepreneur, dies at 86
Don Craighead, a St. Paul native and engineer, was a successful technology entrepreneur who ran his own industrial-automation firm for 30 years before selling it…
Diversity efforts expanding in Minnesota technology
Ja'keh Clark, a software developer at Best Buy, is a key contributor to Minnesota's emerging diversity efforts in technology.Clark, 31, has an academic background in…
Midtown Global Market, defended during riots, now plans financial survival
NDC has recovery plan in place to help businesses in the Midtown Exchange.
EY launches Twin Cities minority-business support program
The accounting firm will give a dozen small businesses priority access to its services.
Complexities of government aid continue to emerge for small Minnesota businesses
The recession has crashed Vinny Vassallo's limo business.Vincent Limousine, founded in 2004 by Vassallo, a then-laid off factory supervisor, had a growth year in 2019…
Minnesota-based Värde Partners founder easing out of globe-spanning firm
George Hicks plans to increase his focus on philanthropy.
Rally Ventures raises $250 million in fourth venture fund
The new fund is the largest yet for the firm that was an early backer of Minneapolis-based SportsEngine.
Minnesota Cup winner Abilitech rolls out key product, sets investment goal
The company's wearable technology is designed for people with limited arm movement.
Minnesota contractor's idea for a caulk substitute filled new gaps
But this eight-year, hardscrabble journey is no get-rich-quick story.
Doug Baker wraps up stellar CEO run at Ecolab. What's his second act?
Baker, as candid as he is unpretentious, also isn't perfect.
Twin Cities-based small-business counselors look beyond 2020 challenges
Meda is looking at requests of up to $20 million that cannot be filled, its CEO said.
How Twin Cities nonprofits pitched in to help Black business owners weather the recession
Briana Cress' Gorgeous Looks hair salon was in trouble after the state ordered it and other personal-services businesses to close when the coronavirus pandemic hit…
Cancer-fighting firm based on U of M research raises $42 million
The amount is a record for any company rooted in scientific research at the U.
How a Mpls. clothing maker made it through a difficult year
Forced to close her shop because of the pandemic, owner shifts to mask-making and re-employed 15 workers.
WomenVenture CEO started in one kind of crisis and is about to leave after another
Elaine Wyatt took charge of WomenVenture, a Twin Cities nonprofit, when it was in a crisis. She's leaving just as it helped women-owned small businesses through the pandemic recession crisis.
Resurgent north Mpls. neighborhood boasts $125M in projects
As the Capri renovation nears an end, other projects are moving forward
Twin Cities company NightWare uses technology to treat PTSD without drugs
No-drug device uses Apple technology to gently interrupt nightmares.
Behind many new buildings on the North Side are the ideas, designs of Jamil Ford
Jamil Ford has been dubbed “the architect of the North Side.” Ford, 42, a North Side native and founder of Mobilize Design & Architecture, is…
Minneapolis 'health shot' maker raises $14.5M to expand
So Good So You will use the money to accelerate its growth through stores and e-commerce.
St. Anthony: Out of the spotlight, MPCA picks up a workplace-quality award for everyday work
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency makes headlines on controversies such as taconite waste dumping in Lake Superior or the review of Enbridge’s updated pipeline across…
Authors of 'Papa Lemon' multicultural kids books still fighting for national following
Paul Dixon and Lehman Riley are trying to land a big publishing deal for their “Papa Lemon” series of children’s books, which bring a multicultural…
Minnesota couple find their JOI with growing almond milk business
Dave Korstad and Izzy Shu have combined their interest in healthy lifestyles into a fast-growing business.
This Minnesota people connector made a digital pivot that paid off
Networking consultant shifted from in-person events to focus online.
Arctic Wolf will move its headquarters to Eden Prairie from Silicon Valley
With the move, the cybersecurity firm expects to grow from 200 to 350 workers in Eden Prairie next year.
Employee-owned Reell Manufacturing is the realization of the founders' hopes in 1970
The owners broadened their approach and employees responded positively to the commitment to inclusivity.
Solar industry-Xcel flap won't dim long-term growth of Minnesota industry
Minnesota solar-energy developers have filed 120 complaints with state utility regulators.
Metro Transit training helps to fuel a Twin Cities family's drive to achieve
The three Young women all graduated within the last year from two-year state university programs.
