MINNEAPOLIS—Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) will host a press conference with the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) to announce a $1 million community project funding proposal she advanced in the House appropriations process this year. NEON is a North Minneapolis nonprofit whose mission is to build wealth for low to moderate income entrepreneurs. Its vision is to transform North Minneapolis into a prosperous, visible, sustainable, and highly diverse multi-cultural community of entrepreneurs.
The requested $1 million will support the development of a Food Business Incubator for use by food entrepreneurs enrolled in NEON’s renowned Food Business Incubator Program, which served 540 food businesses in 2020. Founded in 2006, NEON exists to overcome systemic disinvestment in North Minneapolis by supporting the entrepreneurship of their clients who are 90% people of color and 80% African American. Over 40% of NEON’s 1,000+ clients are food entrepreneurs who do not currently have access to affordable commercial kitchen space in Minneapolis - this access is crucial not only for ensuring the success of these entrepreneurs but also for providing much needed goods and services to the Northside community, which is the fifth largest food desert in the nation.
The funding will be included in the 2022 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill. The inclusion of this funding in the Appropriations Committee draft bill is the first step in the funding process. The bill then moves to the full Appropriations Committee, consideration on the House Floor, and the Senate.
WHO: Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) Warren McLean, President, Northside Economic Opportunity Network Jeremiah Ellison, Minneapolis City Council Member, Ward 5 Brian McDonald, Minnesota District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration Felicia Perry, Executive Director, West Broadway and Business and Area Coalition Kenya McKnight Ahad, CEO, Black Women's Wealth Alliance Additional Speakers
WHAT: Press Conference to Announce $1 Million in Community Project Funding
WHERE: Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) 1007 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411 WHEN: Friday, July 2, 2021 11:00 AM CST