Roseville Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Can Access Enhanced Business Programming

Ramsey County will offer enhanced business programming to support business owners across the community starting on January 1, 2027. Entrepreneurs in Roseville can take advantage of these tools and find improved resources to help them grow.

“The county is taking a proactive role in supporting businesses,” says Josh Olson, Director of Community and Economic Development for Ramsey County. “We are building on and improving many of our existing programs so they help a larger part of the entrepreneur ecosystem.”

Learn more about what is available to Roseville businesses looking to utilize resources at the county level. 

Ramsey County is Improving Five Key Programming Areas

Local business owners can take advantage of programming in five main areas, each of which is growing its footprint, adding new tools, or rethinking how it supports entrepreneurs. These five areas are:

• Improving Business Support Organizations (BSOs): This increases resources for organizations that help residents launch businesses, navigate regulatory hurdles, and secure financing. BSOs include the Business Reimagination Center initiative and have a high-level budget estimate of $250,000. 
• Expanding Technical Assistance Offerings: This includes growing the Open to Business program and offering more tools for marketing, accounting, and legal education. The high-level budget estimate is $250,000. 
• Creating New Cohort-Based Learning Opportunities: This means growing the CEO Next and CEO Now programs while allocating time and money for new ways for leaders to learn alongside their peers. The high-level budget estimate is $250,000.
• Establishing Data-Gathering for Better Decision-Making: This means providing tools and resources to local business owners so they can make informed, data-backed decisions. The high-level budget estimate is $250,000.
• Providing Direct Support for Projects and Businesses: This allows Ramsey County to accelerate growth through targeted support. The high-level budget estimate is $1,000,000.

The new and improved resources are designed to help a larger percentage of Roseville and Greater Ramsey County businesses. The goal is to reach new entrepreneur audiences and provide better tools to help them succeed. 

Better Programs Lead to More Actionable Advice

All Roseville entrepreneurs stand to benefit from the enhanced business programming. These new resources will provide better, more actionable advice and tools when needed. Olson uses the example of a medical supply company looking to expand. The hiring, marketing, and facility needs will be much different than a standard restaurant opening or a software company launching that only needs office space.

“We already have resource programs in place, but wanted to offer something more,” says Olson. “We want to provide technical resources and get better at meeting entrepreneurs where they’re at.” 

There are No Additional Costs for These Programs to Residents

The Ramsey County Economic Development Authority is clear that residents will not pay a new tax to cover the cost of the programs. The funding comes from the Housing Authority budget, which already needed to be allocated to community programs.

“This process increases our flexibility in how we deploy funding,” says Olson. “We can provide better resources to business owners and keep most of these programs free or low-cost for participants.”

The Open to Business program, for example, is completely free for any entrepreneur who would like confidential consulting on their business goals. CEO Next and CEO Now only cost business owners their time. 

Get Involved to Learn More About Available Resources  

Business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members looking to take advantage of these enhanced resources can follow Ramsey County Means Business and the Roseville Economic Development Authority for updates and the launch in early 2027. Each department has active social media channels and regularly updates its news and calendar pages. See what events and cohorts you want to take advantage of.