Complete the 2020 Census by September 30

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Published: 11 September 2020 11 September 2020

Participating in the census is critical to the future of our communities, our economy and our safety. Not only does the census count determine our political representation, but data that is obtained by the census also helps to allocate over $800 billion in federal resources that our communities rely on. Programmatic support for services like SNAP, CHIP, Head Start and housing and food assistance all rely on population statistics derived from the census. In addition to political representation and resources that help support community, the census also effects our economy and public safety. When businesses are determining where to place new offices or factories, they rely on census data. When real estate developers are deciding where to build new homes, apartment complexes or affordable housing, they too rely on the data from the census. City planners and public safety and health officials also rely on census data to ensure their emergency preparedness during times of crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, census data was used to determine how many ventilators were needed in Minnesota. Our transportation systems, our roads and even our parks are dependent upon accurate census data.

Kenny neighborhood has already responded to the Census at a rate of about 90%. That number is good, but needs to be at 100%! You can still complete your census online here: https://my2020census.gov/.

How to help if you have completed the census:

Help us spread the word! Right now, Minneapolis has several neighborhoods that have less than 50% completion for the census. If you know someone who lives in one of the following neighborhoods, encourage them to complete the census:

• Jordan
• Hawthorne
• Prospect Park
• Como
• U of M
• Ventura
• Cedar Riverside
• Whittier
• East Phillips
• Elliot Park

Kenny Raingarden Tour

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Published: 26 August 2020 26 August 2020

We are happy to share some of the results of our 2019 and 2020 Kenny Raingarden Program. We had hoped to host an in-person garden tour, but are going with a self-guided tour in this time of COVID-19. The attached pdf highlights several of the gardens around the neighborhood- each one had unique needs and solutions. Each garden is visible from the sidewalk or street and we ask that you not go onto private property. Also please remember to socially distance and wear a mask!

Attachments:

Kenny Raingarden Tour 2019-20.pdf

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What the World Needs Now… Art Activity for Kids and Adults

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Published: 14 August 2020 14 August 2020

As we reflect on the events of the past few months, the song What the World Needs Now came to mind:

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
It's the only thing that there's just too little of.
What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
No not just for some but for everyone.”

Download and print the empty picture frame (link below) to tell us what the world needs now. This could be a drawing, painting, poem or written word. To a young child, maybe the world needs more ice cream; to a youth, it might mean being able to spend time with friends down at the creek; and to an adult it might mean safety and health and in our city. Let your imaginations run wild and tells us what YOU think the world needs.

Send your submission to:

KNA
PO Box 19593
Minneapolis, MN 55419

Be sure to include your name and address either on the back or on the envelope. We’ll create a virtual art showcase and post submissions on our website as well as social media for all to enjoy. Each entry will receive a $5 gift card from Sebastian Joe’s Ice Cream. Have fun and be creative! Need more than one copy? Download a copy of the PDF and print as many as you need. Both kids and adults are encouraged to participate!

Attachments:

template.pdf

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State COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grants Program Now Accepting Applications

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Published: 25 June 2020 25 June 2020

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has opened the application period for the Minnesota Small Business Relief Grants Program. Applications will be accepted between Tuesday, June 23 and 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 2.

This program will provide $10,000 grants to small businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees are eligible.

Priority will be given to businesses closed by executive order, with minimum funding levels for businesses owned by women, veterans, and people of color; businesses with six or fewer employees, and for indoor retail and food markets with an ethnic cultural emphasis.

A randomized, computer-generated lottery process will be used to select eligible businesses that will receive awards. All awards will be administered by qualified local and regionally based nonprofit agencies, and the grant funds can be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, and other similar business expenses.

To be eligible, businesses must have a permanent physical location in Minnesota and be majority owned by a permanent resident of Minnesota. Businesses must be able to demonstrate hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.