Growing Great Jobs

Saint Paul's vibrant and diverse businesses make our community great. Rebecca believes in supporting and celebrating our businesses and in making it easier for entrepreneurs to create jobs in Saint Paul. She championed the Open for Business initiative, which has streamlined and clarified city permitting processes. Rebecca also helped launch the Saint Paul Business Awards program which recognizes exemplary businesses of all sizes in a variety of categories, including new businesses and woman- or minority-owned businesses. To revitalize retail business in downtown Saint Paul, Rebecca has supported efforts to create a "4th Street Market District" and to create a pop-up retail location downtown. Currently, Rebecca is working to ease restrictions on commercial signage so business owners can more easily advertise their wares and bring needed vibrancy to commercial streets.

Achievements

  • Open for Business - The Open for Business initiative streamlines and clarifies City permitting processes and provides project navigators for small business owners on complex projects. Led by Rebecca and her colleagues Councilmembers Jane Prince and Dai Thao, in partnership with Mayor Carter's office, the initiative has produced a "Pocket Guide for Doing Business in St. Paul" in four languages and is continually improving customer service and other practices.
  • Business Awards - Businesses are at the heart of our communities but we often forget to recognize them for all that they contribute to Saint Paul. In 2017, Rebecca led the creation of the St. Paul Business Awards as a way to appreciate businesses of all sizes that are committed to equity, employee growth and their communities.
  • 4th Street Market District - Rebecca has been working with local business owners and artists to make 4th Street into a destination, not just a thoroughfare, by closing the street to regular vehicular traffic opening it to pedestrians, cyclists, sidewalk cafes, outdoor art and other activities. Creating a unique experience along 4th Street will encourage more people to walk between Rice Park and Lowertown and will also support additional street-level retail downtown.