Northland Small Business Development Center

Northland Small Business Development Center We are the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Northland region of Minnesota. Programs are open to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Providing business consulting, workshops, student programs, and business research. HELPING ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESSES GROW AND SUCCEED

The Northland Small Business Development Center is the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for Northeast Minnesota. The Minnesota Small Business Development Center program is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and regional support partners. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the program sponsors. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

Join us for a FREE 1-hour Lunch & Learn built specifically for small business owners, with lunch included!📅 Tuesday, Oct...
09/25/2026

Join us for a FREE 1-hour Lunch & Learn built specifically for small business owners, with lunch included!

📅 Tuesday, October 13
🕛 12:00 – 1:00 PM
📍 Two Harbors Community Center, 417 South Ave.

We'll cover the basics, small business cost savings, a step-by-step compliance checklist, and how to choose between the state plan and an equivalent plan. Plus live Q&A with our Small Business consultants.

⚠️ Limited to 25 attendees — pre-registration required by October 9!

Register here 🔽
https://bit.ly/MinnesotaPaidLeaveLunchNLearn

Two weeks away, and seats are filling up! 🌱Small Business Seeds for Growth is coming to Duluth, and it's completely free...
09/21/2026

Two weeks away, and seats are filling up! 🌱

Small Business Seeds for Growth is coming to Duluth, and it's completely free. Join Northland Foundation, Northland SBDC, and Huntington Bank for a day built to help small businesses connect, grow, and access capital.

📅 Tuesday, October 6
🕙 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Clyde Iron Works Event Center, Duluth, MN

Here's what you'll get:
✅ Panel discussions with local small business owners
✅ Real guidance on accessing capital and navigating the lending process
✅ Resource tables from organizations that support small businesses
✅ A local Vendor Marketplace
✅ Time to connect with businesses and partners across the region
✅ Lunch on us!

Open to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community resource partners. Space is limited and registration may close early, so save your spot today 👇
https://northlandsbdc.org/small-business-seeds-for-growth/

📢 Two AI consultant opportunities are now open for proposalsThe Northland Foundation and Northland SBDC are each seeking...
09/08/2026

📢 Two AI consultant opportunities are now open for proposals

The Northland Foundation and Northland SBDC are each seeking a part-time contractor to lead AI initiatives across Northeast Minnesota.

🔹 AI Technical Assistance Consultant (Northland SBDC) — one-on-one and group technical assistance helping entrepreneurs and small business owners across our seven-county region understand, evaluate, and responsibly adopt AI tools in their operations.

🔹 AI Policy, Training & Coaching Consultant (Northland Foundation) — leading a comprehensive AI integration initiative covering policy development, staff training and coaching, and Board of Trustees and Technical Advisory Committee education.

🗓️ Contract term for both: October 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027 (approximately 15 months)
⏰ Application deadline: September 14
📍 Northeast Minnesota (hybrid — remote and in-person)

Full RFP details and application info 👉 https://northlandsbdc.org/request-for-proposals/

📢 Now accepting proposals for Minnesota Paid Leave Applicant Assistance ConsultantThe Northland Foundation is seeking a ...
09/04/2026

📢 Now accepting proposals for Minnesota Paid Leave Applicant Assistance Consultant

The Northland Foundation is seeking a part-time contractor to provide one-on-one assistance and group education to individuals applying for the Minnesota Paid Leave program.

📍 7 counties of Northeast Minnesota (remote, video, and in-person)
🗓️ Contract term: Nov 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2027, with possible extension subject to funding

The role focuses on helping applicants make informed decisions about whether to apply and submit an accurate, complete application the first time.

⏰ Application deadline: September 8, 2026

Full RFP details and submission info 👉 https://northlandsbdc.org/request-for-proposals/

Free lunch, real connections, and a clearer path to capital. 🌱Join Northland Foundation, Northland SBDC, and Huntington ...
09/04/2026

Free lunch, real connections, and a clearer path to capital. 🌱

Join Northland Foundation, Northland SBDC, and Huntington Bank for Small Business Seeds for Growth. This no-cost event brings small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community resource partners together in one room.

📅 Monday, October 6
🕙 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Clyde Iron Works Event Center, Duluth, MN

What's on the agenda:
• Panel discussions with local small business owners
• Guidance on accessing capital and navigating the lending process
• Resource tables from organizations that support small businesses
• A local Vendor Marketplace
• Lunch will be provided

Space is limited, and registration may close early once we hit capacity. Register now: https://northlandsbdc.org/small-business-seeds-for-growth/

📢 Two AI consultant opportunities now open for proposalsThe Northland Foundation and Northland SBDC are each seeking a p...
08/29/2026

📢 Two AI consultant opportunities now open for proposals

The Northland Foundation and Northland SBDC are each seeking a part-time contractor to lead AI initiatives across Northeast Minnesota.

🔹 AI Technical Assistance Consultant (Northland SBDC) — one-on-one and group technical assistance helping entrepreneurs and small business owners across our seven-county region understand, evaluate, and responsibly adopt AI tools in their operations.

🔹 AI Policy, Training & Coaching Consultant (Northland Foundation) — leading a comprehensive AI integration initiative covering policy development, staff training and coaching, and Board of Trustees and Technical Advisory Committee education.

🗓️ Contract term for both: October 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027 (approximately 15 months)
⏰ Application deadline: September 14
📍 Northeast Minnesota (hybrid — remote and in-person)

Full RFP details and application info 👉 https://northlandsbdc.org/request-for-proposals/

📢 Now accepting proposals — Paid Leave Applicant Assistance ConsultantThe Northland Foundation is seeking a part-time co...
08/28/2026

📢 Now accepting proposals — Paid Leave Applicant Assistance Consultant

The Northland Foundation is seeking a part-time contractor to provide one-on-one assistance and group education to individuals applying for Minnesota's Paid Leave program.

📍 7 counties of Northeast Minnesota (remote, video, and in-person)
🗓️ Contract term: Nov 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2027, with possible extension subject to funding

The role focuses on helping applicants make informed decisions about whether to apply and submit an accurate, complete application the first time.

⏰ Application deadline:
Full RFP details and submission info 👉 https://northlandsbdc.org/request-for-proposals/

Hiring in Minnesota? Benefits requirements can get confusing fast.Join us for a free live webinar breaking down what's l...
08/23/2026

Hiring in Minnesota? Benefits requirements can get confusing fast.

Join us for a free live webinar breaking down what's legally required, what's optional, and what's worth offering to attract and keep good employees.

📅 Tuesday, August 25 | 10:00 AM CST

Click the link below to register:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zFatiz58RTiWetma2OX-Yw #/registration

In partnership with Ely Community Response and University of Minnesota Extension, Northland SBDC encourages all business...
08/14/2026

In partnership with Ely Community Response and University of Minnesota Extension, Northland SBDC encourages all businesses in Northeastern Minnesota to fill out this anonymous, 10-question survey.
Results will be shared with community leaders and can be used to advocate for additional support for small businesses affected by wildfires.
Click the link below to fill out the survey by August 23, 2026. It's mostly multiple-choice and takes just a few minutes!
https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8unMqBoUHdxSTOK?Q_CHL=qr

Whether you’re preparing to make your very first hire or scaling an established team, navigating employer requirements c...
08/06/2026

Whether you’re preparing to make your very first hire or scaling an established team, navigating employer requirements can feel overwhelming. From classifying workers correctly to staying compliant with Minnesota laws, getting the details right is critical for your business.

Join our upcoming session where we’ll break down:
- Can I afford to hire?
- Independent contractor vs. employee: Understanding the differences
- Required employee benefits—and how to make them work for your business
- Minnesota Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST)
- Minnesota Paid Leave
- Other required employer benefits and considerations
- Navigating compliance and record-keeping best practices

Get actionable takeaways and the clarity you need to hire with confidence.

Register for the Webinar:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zFatiz58RTiWetma2OX-Yw #/registration

Address

202 W Superior Street, Suite 800
Duluth, MN
55802

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12187407307

Website

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