A Thriving Local Economy

Millions of dollars in new ward 4 business investments.

The cycle of small business investment includes the City of Minneapolis investing in small businesses; small businesses hire from the neighborhood; as a result, wages increase in the neighborhood; neighbors invest in neighbors by spending money at Ward 4 businesses; tax revenue is therefore increased by the local economy

First Term (2018 - Current)

Big Idea

Together, we laid the groundwork for a thriving local economy in my first term.

2017 Campaign promise fulfilled

Stimulated the Ward 4 economy by focusing on developing business nodes

  • Empowering Northside entrepreneurs to invest in Ward 4

  • Ensuring Northsiders benefit from the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment

  • Expanded rapid transit D Line to mobilize Northsiders, which increases access to opportunities across the City and brings in commerce

Accomplishments

  • Championed D-Line rapid transit down Fremont with construction scheduled for 2021-2022.

  • The Upper Harbor Terminal Coordinated Plan, which is scheduled to be approved by the City Council in early fall 2021. Councilmember Cunningham helped secure $15M from the State Legislature to support this development.

  • Councilmember Cunningham got Baldwin Square developer and Northsider Jamil Ford over the finish line by securing nearly $780,000 in City investment and additional City supports for Mr. Ford’s Fremont development plans, which is preparing to break ground in 2021. Northsiders can look forward to a fun and unique restaurant experience, along with other community amenities.

  • In collaboration with local business owner Houston White, Councilmember Cunningham secured $400,000 in funding for Camdentown on 44th and Humboldt and over $50,000 for the Camdentown Business Association. As a result, this corridor will soon become a bustling, local economic ecosystem of Northside neighbors shopping at businesses owned by other Northside neighbors.

  • Worked with Ward 4 business owners to establish the Upper Northside Business Association (UNBA), which already granted $30,000 to help businesses reopen after the 2020 uprisings and COVID-19 shutdown.

Next Term (2022 - 2024)

Big Idea

CM Cunningham will continue to invigorate the Ward 4 economy through investments in Ward 4 entrepreneurs, Northsider-owned businesses and a business network.

Planned Focus Areas

  • Continue to ensure Upper Harbor Terminal is a community wealth building asset and amenity, particularly for Ward 4 residents of color who have been left out of such opportunities in the past

    • Community retains ownership of land

    • Prioritize Northside entrepreneurs to have affordable commercial space on site

    • Northsiders decide how the music venue ticket fee is used

    • Northsiders decide the kind of businesses for commercial space

  • Continue to increase the number of small businesses in the 4th Ward and support the creation of commercial nodes and a commercial corridor

    • Find local entrepreneurs to rent or purchase vacant commercial properties with support through City financial programs

    • Continue to support the Upper Northside Business Association to grow and become a vital resource for Ward 4 businesses

      • Create a business network

      • Seek additional funding opportunities to support Ward 4 businesses and entrepreneurs.

    • Oversee the growth of budding business nodes like Fremont to ensure the right investments happen to create an ecosystem of housing and local business.

    • CM Cunningham will continue to connect Northside entrepreneurs to opportunities like Great Streets grants, the Commercial Property Redevelopment Fund, and other new opportunities to fill capital gaps that can be created under CM Cunningham’s leadership.