First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who was able to attend the small business forum last week. I truly appreciated the honest conversation and sense of community with our versatile and diverse small business owners. I'm grateful for the candor and the opportunity for the St. Paul House Delegation to listen directly to the backbone of our economy and cultural vitality. My office will hold more opportunities to engage in community conversations with small business owners in our downtown neighborhood to share resources, continue discussions, and uplift the prosperity of our community for generations to come.
As expressed by business owners, accessing resources and receiving information has been challenging. Below are names and links to currently available resources. Please apply, reach out to these programs, and keep me updated on the progress of your submission. I am here to be an advocate for you and to ensure both new entrepreneurs and established business owners have the tools and resources they need to protect their assets and businesses.
If you were unable to make the meeting, you can watch the recording here.
Running a business demands time, expertise, and crucial, in-depth market information which can be prohibitively expensive. This office is designed to level the playing field. It provides individual consultation services and a comprehensive series of business guidebooks, effectively helping to reduce the burden of costs related to money, time, lost opportunity, and specialized expertise for both startups and established companies.
I strongly encourage you to take advantage of these offerings. Additionally, you can engage directly with the small business community and experts by participating in the monthly Small Business Call, held every second Tuesday of the month.
This is your tax dollars at work, ensuring our local economy remains vibrant and competitive. Please use this resource to unlock your business’s full potential.
Connecting with 65B Community
I've had a busy and incredibly productive time meeting with key partners across District 65 to discuss how we can continue to strengthen our community! First, I had an insightful meeting and tour with CEO Pam Stegora Axberg at the Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities Men's Campus right here in our district. It was powerful to see firsthand the essential work they do to support our neighbors in need.
Next, I caught up with Ramsey County Commissioner Chair Rafael Ortega at the wonderful small business Lost Fox in Lowertown. We had a great discussion focused on strengthening State partnership initiatives specifically for District 65. Collaboration between county and state is vital for our success!
Finally, it was inspiring to visit with the Ramsey County Young Adult Career Academy (YACA) team right at the MN State Capitol. Our community is stronger and better when we continue to work alongside one another and uplift the leaders and champions working directly to improve the well-being and future of our district and state.
I'm proud to be your state representative, leading by example in 65B. Let's keep building a better future together!
Residents are invited to a community conversation concerning the future of West 7th Street in St. Paul. The event is hosted by the Highland District Council and the West Seventh St./Ford Rd. Federation. I am proud to join my colleagues Rep. Dave Pinto, Sen. Erin Murphy, and Sen. Sandy Pappas in the discussion.

On Wednesday, October 29th, from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM join me and community partners for a discussion on the safety of our students. We'll address the impact of increased ICE operations in St. Paul and the recent federal memo regarding financial incentives for unaccompanied migrant children to self-deport.
We will explore how these developments affect our schools and what we can do to best support our students.
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West St. Paul Chief of Police Brian Sturgeon
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SD 197 Superintendent Peter Olson-Skog
Kennedy Park Community Celebration & Grand Re-Opening
Nestled in the northernmost part of West St. Paul and bordering the West Side of Saint Paul, this event celebrates the park’s renewal while honoring its history and the vibrant Hispanic heritage of the surrounding community.
Celebrate a beloved green space now revitalized for all to enjoy!
A ribbon cutting at 1:30pm to celebrate Kennedy Park’s past, present, and future.
Saturday, November 1 1-2:30pm Kennedy Park (774 Dodd Rd) Food, family activities, & cultural highlights!
Learn more about the Kennedy Park Improvement Project here.
As your representative, I remain incredibly proud to serve this vibrant district. We face challenging times ahead, but our community's strength is undeniable. In my next newsletter, I will detail the looming effects of the Republican-led government shutdown on SNAP benefits and provide a comprehensive list of local community resources available right here in our district to ensure every family has food on the table. Please stay informed and never hesitate to reach out to my office.
Please continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at [email protected] or 651-296-9714. You can also follow my official Facebook page.
Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega
Minnesota House of Representatives
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