In St. Paul’s East Side, many small businesses are struggling because of a long road construction project. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is rebuilding East 7th Street, which is an important road for traffic and business. While the work is meant to improve the area, it has made it very hard for people to get to local stores, restaurants, and shops.
Now, more than 40 business owners are asking the city and state for $2.2 million in help. They say the money would be used to cover losses caused by the construction. This includes help with paying bills, keeping staff, and doing more marketing to bring back customers.
The construction began in the spring and will continue through the fall. MnDOT is replacing old sidewalks, pipes, and roads, and upgrading things like traffic lights. While these upgrades are needed, the work has blocked roads and sidewalks, making it hard for customers to visit businesses in the area.
Many of these businesses are small and family-owned. Some are owned by immigrants or people from communities that don’t have a lot of resources. These shops often don’t have extra money to survive long periods of fewer customers. Some businesses have already cut back their hours or laid off workers.
City leaders are looking into ways to help. One idea is to create a special fund, like the one used during the COVID-19 pandemic, that would give money directly to businesses that are losing money due to the road work. The money could be based on how long a business has been affected and how much money they’ve lost.
Local business groups, like the East Side Area Business Association, are also helping. They’re gathering data to show the impact of the construction, meeting with city leaders, and trying to raise awareness in the community. They believe this help is necessary to keep the East Side strong.
MnDOT has said it is trying to reduce the problems by putting up signs to show which businesses are still open, giving regular updates to shop owners, and moving quickly on the most disruptive parts of the project. But business leaders say that without financial help, many shops may not make it through the summer.
Supporters of the relief plan are also asking state lawmakers for more help. They say it’s about fairness—small businesses should not be forced to suffer while big projects happen around them, especially in neighborhoods that already face challenges.
As the construction continues, business owners are hoping for quick action. Without help, some may not be able to reopen once the road work is finished.
