Economic Development
The following are all future and past events that have impacts on economic development.
Note: For more info about the Destination Medication Center initiative, please visit Beam's DMC Document Portal.
| Start Date | Title | Description | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 14, 2026 06:00 PM | Work Smarter with AI | AI can save small business owners time, improve everyday processes, and help them think through challenges, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. In this practical workshop, new and existing business owners will learn how to identify useful opportunities for AI, work more effectively with AI tools, and experiment responsibly while keeping human judgment and business goals at the center. Focus: Both new and existing owners who want to start to use AI responsibly. No prior AI experience is required.. | ('Entrepreneurship',) |
| Oct 13, 2026 02:00 PM | All Things SBDC - 2026 | This session is designed for: Anyone who is new to the entrepreneurial ecosystem Anyone who is new to an organization that works with small businesses Lenders and community partners Anyone who is simply curious about what the Small Business Development Center does | ('commerce', 'networking', 'community engagement', 'Entrepreneurship') |
| Sep 24, 2026 09:30 AM | September 24, 2026 DMCC Board Meeting | Link Bus Rapid Transit Contingency Use 1. Construction Management Services Resolution: Authorizing Use of Unallocated Link BRT Project Contingency Funding 2. Business Forward Resolution: Authorizing Use of Unallocated Link BRT Project Contingency Funding (Business Forward) XIV. Discussion Items A. Strategic Priority: Accelerate Health Innovation 1. Home Innovation Lab B. Strategic Priority: Design for Well-being 1. Downtown Infrastructure Alignment i. Progress Update ii. Reimagining 6th Avenue West C. Strategic Priority: Drive Purposeful Growth 1. Chateau Theatre | ('commerce', 'DMC', 'community') |
| Sep 22, 2026 05:30 PM | SBDC: A Practical Guide to Selling to Your Ideal Customers | This workshop will help Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs better understand their ideal customers, how to reach them, and how to turn interest into sales. | ('cmrc', 'Entrepreneurship') |
| Sep 15, 2026 02:00 PM | Small Business Support Series: Financials - Debts, Dollars, Decisions | Join this free series along with our experienced professionals and local partners who can help you talk through your situation, understand your options, an identify realistic steps forward | ('Entrepreneurship',) |
| Sep 08, 2026 02:00 PM | Small Business Support Series: Marketing that works | Join this free series along with our experienced professionals and local partners who can help you talk through your situation, understand your options, an identify realistic steps forward | ('Entrepreneurship',) |
| Sep 01, 2026 02:00 PM | Small Business Support Series: Introduction and Mini Financial Workshop | Join this free series along with our experienced professionals and local partners who can help you talk through your situation, understand your options, an identify realistic steps forward | ('Entrepreneurship',) |
| May 28, 2026 09:30 AM | DMC 2026 Real Estate Development and Investment Summit (4/16/25) | State of the District update from DMC leadership • DMC’s HealthTech business attraction strategy • Link Bus Rapid Transit and transit-oriented development • University of Minnesota Rochester expansion | ('housing', 'dmc', 'key', 'Entrepreneurship') |
| May 21, 2026 09:30 AM | May 21 2026 DMCC Board Meeting | Authorizing EDA as Agent for Trademark Licensing on behalf of DMCC; Discovery Square Talent Recruitment, Retention, and Training Infrastructure; Public Realm Infrastructure | ('commerce', 'DMC', 'community') |
| Feb 28, 2026 12:00 PM | Black Excellence Expo | For the Rochester Branch of the NAACP, achieving economic stability is a strategic priority. Initiatives like the Black Excellence Expo directly support this goal by uplifting local entrepreneurs, expanding opportunity, and strengthening our regional economy. | ('diversity', 'education', 'NAACP', 'Entrepreneurship') |
| Feb 05, 2026 09:30 AM | Feb 2026 DMCC Board Meeting | ICE Impacts; 5 Year Plan Update; Historical preservation; Housing; Annual Report | ('commerce', 'DMC', 'community') |
| Dec 10, 2025 09:30 AM | Dec 2025 DMCC Board Meeting | DMC 5-Year Plan Update; TALENT AS INFRASTRUCTURE: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA UPDATE DECEMBER 2025 | ('commerce', 'DMC', 'community') |
| Oct 22, 2025 06:00 PM | How to Start a Business - In English | Training Topics: Accounting/Budget, Business Financing, Business Plan, Business Start-up/Preplanning, Legal Issues, Managing a Business, Marketing/Sales, Tax Planning Description: How to Start a Business from Scratch - Part 2: In the final classes, you will dive into the practical implementation of your business idea, addressing key aspects such as legal and financial structure, initial marketing strategies, and preparing to launch your venture into the market. Additionally, you will learn to establish basic accounting systems and financial management to ensure operational soundness from the outset. | ('diversity', 'community engagement', 'Entrepreneurship') |
| Oct 21, 2025 08:30 AM | 2025 Entrepreneurs First (E¹) Summit & Expo | Rochester, MN — IgniteMN is proud to host the 2025 Entrepreneurs First (E¹) Summit & Expo on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota – Rochester Campus. The E¹ Summit is Southeast Minnesota’s premier gathering for entrepreneurs, innovators, and community partners. This free, full-day event offers inspiration, networking, and resources for entrepreneurs at every stage—from idea to scale. | ('Entrepreneurship',) |
| Oct 16, 2025 06:00 PM | SBDC - Foundations of Effective Marketing Part 2 | Marketing Success starts with clarity. Brand Identity. | ('diversity', 'health', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship') |
| Oct 09, 2025 06:00 PM | SBDC - Foundations of Effective Marketing Part 1 | Marketing Success starts with clarity. Brand Identity. | ('diversity', 'health', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship') |
| Sep 25, 2025 09:30 AM | Sep 2025 DMCC Board Meeting | 2026-2027 DMC Work Plan and Budget: 1. 2026-2027 Capital Improvement Plan, 2. 2026-2027 DMC EDA & City Staff Workplan and Budget, 3. 2026 DMCC Budget, 4. Working Capital Loan; Action: Discovery Square Infrastructure: Shared Lab; LINK BRT Contingency Funding Criteria; | ('DMC', 'key', 'community') |
| Sep 23, 2025 06:00 PM | (Spanish) How to Start a Business from Scratch | Training Topics: Accounting/Budget, Business Plan, Business Start-up/Preplanning, Legal Issues, Managing a Business, Marketing/Sales, Tax Planning Description: How to Start a Business from Scratch - Part 1: In the first two classes, you will learn the fundamentals of starting a business from scratch, including conceptualizing viable business ideas and initial strategic planning. The focus will be on generating innovative ideas and evaluating their market potential using tools like the Business Model Canvas and SWOT analysis. | ('networking', 'diversity', 'Entrepreneurship') |
| Sep 17, 2025 05:00 PM | Hispanic Business Resource & Networking Event | Join us for an evening of networking and resources designed to support Hispanic small business owners. | ('diversity', 'Entrepreneurship') |
| Sep 16, 2025 06:00 PM | SBDC - Financial Literacy | Learn key financial skills to start and grow your small business | ('diversity', 'Entrepreneurship') |
