Your Local SBA

Business Planning Center

Programs and Services

2324 University Avenue West

Midtown Commons Building, Suite 112

St. Paul, MN 55114-1843

(651) 209-1884    

The Business Planning Center (BPC) in St. Paul offers a variety of programs to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.  In addition to their core program of assisting individuals developing their own business plan, the BPC programs include on-site counseling, volunteer bankers, lawyers and loan information seminars.   

Programs include:

  • The BPC core program offers the latest business plan software, marketing plan software, on-site computers to create your own plans and an extensive library of books and publications to help entrepreneurs.  Sample business plans are available to study. 
  • On-site counseling is available from members of the SCORE Association, Counselors to America’s Small Business.  Counselors are at the center every day and will meet with individuals on a one-on-one basis.
  • A free Small Business Loan Seminar explaining SBA’s loan programs is offered each Thursday from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Attendees will receive sample loan applications, a business start-up kit, and information on how to apply for a loan. 
  • Each Thursday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., a small business lender is available to answer questions and counsel entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs.  Different Twin Cities area banks rotate their time to have a loan officer available each week to review business plans and discuss the loan application process. 
  • On Tuesdays from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., the BPC has partnered with LegalCORPS to provide legal advice and answer legal questions for entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs.  Must meet income guidelines, call for details.
  • A Spanish-speaking collaborator is available daily from 9:00 to 4:00 to help with general information.

No appointment is necessary and there is no charge.  For more information about any of the BCP programs or services, call (651) 209-1884.

The BPC is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  The hours are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. 

All services of the BPC are free and confidential.  The BPC is operated by SBA resource partners in the Twin Cities area.