By Corinne Horowitz, a policy aide for Ward 10 Councilmember Emily Koski.

A new Payroll and Bookkeeping Pilot Project that subsidizes payroll and bookkeeping services for small business owners in the City of Minneapolis has been launched. The new Pilot Project addresses some of the key challenges small business owners face and supports small business owners in achieving compliance with the City’s Labor Standards. Applications for the Payroll and Bookkeeping Pilot Project are open until January 20^th, 2023.

The Payroll and Bookkeeping Pilot Project was launched by the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, Main Street Alliance and the Workplace Justice Lab at Rutgers University. The project is funded through American Rescue Plant Act Phase 2 funding from the City of Minneapolis. The American Rescue Plant Act Phase 2 funding came through an amendment made by Councilmember Emily Koski.

“It can be challenging for our smallest businesses and newest entrepreneurs to successfully comply with the City’s Labor Standards without human resources, legal, payroll or accounting services," Councilmember Emily Koski said. “This Pilot Project is an innovative addition to the City of Minneapolis that allows us to prioritize equity and resiliency in our business community.”

To be eligible for the Payroll and Bookkeeping Pilot Project businesses must be existing retail, restaurant, or service businesses that have been in operation for at least 1 year, are located in the City of Minneapolis, and have a minimum of 2 full-time workers and a maximum of 10 full-time workers for retail and service businesses, or a maximum of 15 full-time workers for restaurants.

This program can also be used as a tool to keep business owners in compliance with City standards.

“What we really want is for our small businesses to achieve compliance with the City’s Labor Standards and we realize that enforcement is just one tool, and sometimes we need other tools in the tool kit, like this Pilot Project, which is a more appropriate tool to help small businesses achieve compliance.” Brian Walsh, Director of the Labor Standards Enforcement Division, Civil Rights Department, said.  

The application for the Payroll and Bookkeeping Pilot Project is open until January 20. After January 20 the applications will be reviewed, and businesses will be notified by January 27. The application is available in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong. If applicants have questions regarding the Payroll and Bookkeeping Pilot Project Applications, email msppayrollprogram@mccdmn.org.