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1 air quality Assistance Providers 123

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3 This chapter includes information about agencies and programs sponsoring this guide and the various kinds of assistance they provide to businesses. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Small Business Environmental Assistance Program The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) provides environmental assistance to Minnesota companies that: have fewer than 100 employees are independently owned and operated are not major sources of waste or emissions While the focus is on compliance assistance, there is also emphasis on pollution-prevention opportunities, so that small businesses can move out of the regulatory loop into less burdensome processes. SBEAP staff provide on-site visits, a toll-free hotline, workshops, a newsletter and a Web site. The SBEAP also works with organizations, such as the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, the Small Business Development Centers and trade associations. Compliance assistance and on-site visits are free of charge. All services are nonregulatory and impose no obligation on small businesses. Business specific information is kept confidential from MPCA regulatory programs unless there is imminent danger to human health or the environment. Address/telephone number Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Small Business Environmental Assistance Program 520 Lafayette Road North St. Paul, MN (651) or toll-free (800) Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Small Business Ombudsman Environmental Office Assistance Program The Small Business Ombudsman is an independent entity responsible for reviewing environmental regulatory activities to ensure that they are fair, reasonable and appropriate for small businesses. The ombudsman receives and investigates complaints from small businesses, mediates disputes and represents small business interests during rule making. In addition, the ombudsman works with the Small Business Assistance Program to provide technical and educational assistance. The ombudsman may also act as a contact for small businesses seeking financial resources. 125

4 Address/telephone number Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Small Business Ombudsman Office 520 Lafayette Road North St. Paul, MN (651) or toll-free (800) Minnesota Small Business Assistance Office The Minnesota Small Business Assistance Office, part of the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED), provides accurate, timely and comprehensive information and assistance to businesses in all areas of start-up, operation and expansion. The office has two bureaus: the Bureau of Business Licenses and the Bureau of Small Business. The Minnesota Small Business Assistance Office also operates the Small Business Development Centers. Bureau of Business Licenses The Bureau of Business Licenses provides a number of services at no charge. The Bureau provides comprehensive information about the number and kind of licenses required for a business venture, the agencies issuing them, and the affirmative burdens imposed on applicants. It publishes the State of Minnesota Directory of Licenses and Permits, which is reproduced in its free publication, A Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota. A more detailed listing of state required licenses and permits is available through the License Minnesota section of the State of Minnesota web portal, Minnesota North Star. The Bureau also provides opinions from licensing agencies on their use of discretion in issuing licenses, and on potential problems in obtaining a particular license. The Bureau has master application procedures for obtaining related and similar licenses from different agencies, and can help consolidate hearings for multiple licenses. Bureau of Small Business The Bureau of Small Business serves as a focal point within state government for information on business startup, operation and expansion. Publications produced by the Small Business Assistance Office include: A Guide To STARTING A BUSINESS IN MINNESOTA A discussion of many of the major issues faced by persons planning to start a business in Minnesota. An Employer s Guide To EMPLOYMENT LAW ISSUES IN MINNESOTA Designed to alert Minnesota employers to issues which commonly arise in the employment relationship. An Employer s Guide To EMPLOYEE HANDBOOKS IN MINNESOTA 126

5 A discussion of some of the major issues associated with the development of employee handbooks, including the handbook functions, the concept of at will employment, and determining appropriate handbook provisions. An Employer s Guide To EMPLOYEE BENEFITS This publication discusses employee benefits, including pension and welfare plans. WHY AND HOW TO CONDUCT A HUMAN RESOURCES AUDIT IN MINNESOTA This publication provides useful information to employers, with illustrative examples of human resources audits checklists. LOAN DOCUMENTATION: AN INTRODUCTION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES A brief primer on the need for and uses of many of the terms and covenants used in commercial loan transactions. RAISING CAPITAL: SECURITIES LAW AND BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS This guide provides an overview of securities law considerations involved in raising capital. A Guide to BIOTECHNOLOGY FINANCE A primer for both biotechnology businesses and those who counsel and assist them on the issues associated with acquisition of both equity and debt capital for biotechnology firms. A Legal Guide to the INTERNET Designed to alert Minnesota companies, employers and residents to issues which commonly are in conjunction with operating on the Internet. Small Business Notes Electronic format serial publication presenting a brief overview of recent trends, developments, and issues affecting small businesses. Small Business Notes is available at Note that these publications are also available for ordering free of charge or viewing and downloading in PDF format on the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's website at (click on Publications). The Small Business Assistance Office continually produces new publications throughout the year. Contact the Office for a current publication list. As publications are available free of charge. The Office also sponsors seminars and workshops on small business issues. Addresses/telephone numbers Minnesota Small Business Assistance Office 1st National Bank Building 332 Minnesota Street, Suite E200 St. Paul, MN (651) or (800) (voic publications order line) (651) (information and assistance) 127

6 Small Business Development Centers The Minnesota Small Business Development Centers provide one-on-one business counseling and group training seminars on management topics throughout Minnesota. Most Small Business Development Centers are within an hour s drive of a county seat. Counseling services are free. Training seminars are provided at nominal cost. Fees may be charged for out-of-pocket costs and specialized services. Counseling services primarily focus on assisting new and growing businesses in business planning, financial analysis and loan packaging, and marketing. Directly and through collaboration with other organizations, the Small Business Development Centers also offer assistance and referrals in areas like regulatory compliance assistance, federal research and development opportunities, technology transfer, exporting and government procurement. Counseling is customized to meet the needs of the client, and may be provided by staff or private-sector counselors. Training seminars offered by the Small Business Development Centers are designed to help small business owners and managers strengthen management skills. Topics vary to meet the needs of participants. Recent topics have included access to capital, understanding and using financial statements, market analysis and planning, environmental compliance, employment issues, international trade, selling to the government, taxation, and federal research and development opportunities. Small Business Development Centers also offer pre-business workshops to help those who are considering starting a business to explore the possibilities and determine whether to pursue the venture. Training seminars offered by the Small Business Development Centers are listed on the Department of Trade and Economic Development Web site, Resource libraries at Small Business Development Centers offer access to business books, periodicals, and computerized databases. Many Small Business Development Centers have computers and business software that may be used by clients to develop business plans. The Small Business Development Centers are a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, DEED, and the colleges, universities and other organizations where Small Business Development Centers are located. Businesses served by the Small Business Development Centers must meet size standards and other requirements established by the U.S. Small Business Administration. 128

7 Addresses/telephone numbers Minnesota Small Business Development Centers State Administrative Office 1st National Bank Building 332 Minnesota Street, Suite E200 St. Paul, MN (651) or (800) (information) Small Business Development Center Regional Offices and Counseling Centers City Location telephone Albert Lee Albert Lee Business Development Center Apple Valley Dakota County Technical College Bemidji Bemidji State University Brainerd Central Lakes College Cambridge Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids Anoka-Ramsey Community College Duluth Central Lakes College Duluth University of Minnesota- Duluth Ely Vermilion Community College Grand Rapids Itasca Development Corporation Hibbing Hibbing Community College International Falls Rainy River Community College Mankato Region Nine Development Commission Marshall Southwest State University Minneapolis University of St. Thomas Moorhead Minnesota State University- Moorhead Northfield Northfield Enterprise Center Owatonna Owatonna Incubator, Inc Rochester Rochester Comm & Tech College Rushford Southeast Minnesota Devel. Corp St. Cloud St. Cloud State University Thief River Falls Northland Community & Techn. College Winona Minnesota State College Southeast Technical

8 Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Occupational Safety and Health Division (MNOSHA Compliance) The mission of MNOSHA is to make sure every worker in the State of Minnesota has safe and healthful working conditions. MNOSHA Compliance enforces both state and federal OSHA regulations in both private and public-sector workplaces. Inspections are scheduled on a priority basis. One major facet of the MNOSHA Compliance program is its outreach function. The division provides telephone assistance for employers, employees and the general public. A number of free publications are available through or any of the three MNOSHA area offices. MNOSHA gives presentations each year about OSHA standards and specific safety and health issues to groups of employers, employees and professionals. The division periodically offers training opportunities, including a bimonthly Construction Breakfast Seminar. A number of safety videos are available for a free, two-week loan period. MNOSHA Compliance offers a free quarterly e-newsletter entitled Safety Lines. For more information on MNOSHA Compliance programs, contact the St. Paul area office at (651) or (877) 470-OSHA (6742), by at OSHA.Compliance@state.mn.us or through the MNOSHA Web site at: MNOSHA workplace safety Consultation (651) or 1(800) , James Collins, Director. Fax: (651) osha.consultation@state.mn.us Workplace Safety Consultation (WSC) provides free consultation services, on request, to help employers comply with MNOSHA requirements, prevent workplace accidents and prevent occupationally related diseases through several employer assistance programs. Workplace Safety Consultants are experienced safety and health professionals with a majority holding advanced degrees in safety or occupational health and many of them being Certified Safety Professionals (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH). Private-Sector Consultation The department works with employers and employees to prevent safety and health problems before they occur. WSC offers free assistance, on request, to help private sector employers improve their safety and health record, lower accident costs and reduce OSHA citations and penalties. WSC consultants will help employers recognize hazards, make recommendations for solving problems and suggest other sources of help that may be available. 130

9 The visit by a consultant is scheduled for a mutually agreeable time and is followed by a report giving the consultant s recommendations. This service is confidential and no citations or penalties are issued. Before a consultation visit request is accepted, the requesting employer must commit to the timely correction of any serious job safety or health hazard found during the site visit. If the problem is not corrected, the violation can then be reported to MNOSHA Compliance for further investigation. Public-Sector Consultation This WSC program provides upon request, free on-site safety and health consultation services to public employers. Public Sector Consultation personnel are experienced with the unique employee safety and health issues that public sector employers face. WSC Consultants will assist employers in the recognition of workplace hazards, make recommendations for solving problems, and suggest other sources of help that may be available. The visit by a consultant is scheduled for a mutually agreeable time and is followed by a report giving the consultant's recommendations. This service is confidential and no citations or penalties are issued. Before a consultation visit request is accepted, the requesting employer must commit to the timely correction of any serious job safety or health hazard found during the site visit. If the problem is not corrected, the violation can then be reported to MNOSHA Compliance for further investigation. Labor-Management Safety Committee Program Minnesota statutes require any business with more that 25 employees to have a joint labormanagement safety and health committee at the workplace. Employers with fewer than 25 employees must also have a committee if they have had numerous workplace injuries as cited by Minnesota Statutes , Subd At the request of both management and labor representatives, a WSC consultant is available to help interpret OSHA standards, offer training in self-inspection techniques, and prepare and help in preparing and implementing educational and training programs. Safety Grants Program (651) or 1(800) This WSC program awards funds up to $10,000 for qualifying employers for projects designed to reduce the risk of injury and illness to their workers. To qualify, an employer must meet the following criteria: The employer must come under the jurisdiction of MNOSHA. A qualified safety professional must have conducted an on-site safety inspection and written a report with recommendations based upon the inspection. The project must be consistent with the recommendations of the safety inspection, must reduce the risk of injury or disease to employees, and must be feasible. The employer must be committed to the project s implementation. The employer must be able to match grant money awarded and all estimated project costs must be covered by available funds. The project must be supported by all public entities involved and comply with federal, state, and local regulations. 131

10 Priority for funds is given first to manufacturing businesses, then to workplaces that have seen jobs lost due to safety shortcomings and finally to all other projects. Workplace Violence Prevention Program (651) or 1(800) This WSC program helps employers and employees reduce the incidence of violence in their workplaces by providing on-site consultation, telephone assistance, education and training seminars and a resource center. It is targeted toward workplaces at high risk of violence, such as convenience stores, service stations, taxi and transit operations, restaurants and bars, motels, guard services, patient care facilities, schools, social services, residential care facilities, and correctional institutions. Loggers Safety Education Program (218) or 1(800) This WSC program provides safety training through eight-hour seminars throughout the state. In order to receive workers compensation premium rebates from the Targeted Industry Fund, logger employers must maintain current workers compensation and they or their employees must have attended during the previous year a logging safety seminar sponsored or approved by the WSC during the previous year. MNSHARP (651) or 1(800) MNSHARP (Minnesota Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) is a voluntary, consultation-based program which assists high-hazard employers in achieving safety and health improvements and recognizes them for doing so. Eligibility is open to all employers. MNSHARP participants receive a comprehensive safety and health consultation survey which results in an action plan to improve the employer's safety and health program. If the consultants believe that the employer has the ability to raise their safety and health program to meet all MNSHARP requirements within 18 months, they will recommend that the employer be given the PreSHARP designation, which includes an exemption from MNOSHA inspection. While working on the Action Plan, participants must correct identified hazards and develop and implement an effective safety and health program with full employee involvement. When the employer meets all requirements and the lost workday injury and illness rate is below the national average for their industry, a MNSHARP Certificate of Recognition is awarded and the employer is exempted from compliance programmed inspections by the MNOSHA Division for up to three years. WSC Consultants return to MNSHARP facilities prior to the end of their certification expiration. Provided that this on-site safety and health survey reveals that the employer is continuing to meet the program requirements, the employer s certification is renewed and it continues to be exempt from compliance programmed inspections. 132

11 assistance providers MNSTAR (651) or 1(800) MNSTAR is a voluntary protection program available to any size employer in Minnesota. Small employers who previously achieved MNSHARP status can, at their option, upgrade their efforts to achieve the higher level of recognition. The MNSTAR program relies mainly on the concept of self-assessment by the requesting employer and uses the federal OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) criteria (OSHA VPP Policies and Procedures Manual). MNSTAR requires the employer s commitment to complete an extensive application, which includes providing the WSC Division with copies of all requested written policies and programs. The employer s lost workday injury and illness rate must be below the state and national levels for their industry. Once the employer's application is accepted, a MNSTAR Assessment Team will conduct an extensive on-site survey to verify that the employer is meeting all of the requirements of the MNSTAR program. Employers who meet all requirements for MNSTAR status are exempt from compliance programmed inspections by the MNOSHA Division for three years. WSC Consultants return to MNSTAR facilities prior to the end of their certification expiration. Provided that this on-site safety and health survey reveals that the employer is continuing to meet the program requirements, the employer's certification is renewed for up to five years and the facility continues to be exempt from compliance programmed inspections. Safety and Health Educational Outreach Program This WSC program offers workshops to help educate employers and employees about workplace safety and health hazards, and the OSHA standards addressing them. The aim is to assist employers in implementing and maintaining effective safety and health programs, with the goals of lowering injury and illness rates and reducing workplace injury costs. One major activity in this effort is the WSC Educational Workshops series. Through partnership with 13 organizations throughout the state, each quarter a series of one-day safety and health seminars are presented. Seminar topics change each quarter and are based upon workplace safety and health issues of timely concern. The opportunity for employers and employees to receive affordable safety and health training in a location close to their work site is accomplished through this educational workshop program. WSC also offers safety and health training to individual companies and organizations, upon request. Options include either a formal training session, or an informal training session conducted in conjunction with an on-site consultation visit. In either option, the specific training needs of the requesting company or organization can be addressed in the WSC outreach program. 133

12 assistance providers Minnesota Emergency Planning and community right-to-know Act Program The Minnesota Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Program, part of the Department of Public Safety, is responsible for implementation of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act and Pollution-Prevention Progress Reporting requirements of the Minnesota Pollution Prevention Act. In addition, the EPCRA can assist industry in determining its compliance status with the Risk Management Planning Requirements of the Clean Air Act. EPCRA staff provide training and technical assistance to the regulated community. Information on chemical storage, releases and transfers, and pollution prevention activities is submitted to the EPCRA on an annual basis. This information is entered into a database and made available to the public upon request. Address/telephone number: Minnesota Emergency Planning and Community Righ-To-Know Act Program 444 Cedar Street, Suite 223 St. Paul, MN (651) University of Minnesota Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) The Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) provides Minnesota businesses with company-specific, cost-saving solutions for waste-reduction and pollution prevention. MnTAP is a nonregulatory program that aims to help businesses reduce waste and better manage resources. Services are free. MnTAP works primarily with Minnesota businesses in the manufacturing sector. MnTAP has worked extensively with specific industries, including dry cleaning, electronics, fiberglass, food processing, health care, laboratories, machining and metal fabrication, metal casting, metal finishing, painting, paper mills, printing, vehicle maintenance, and wood finishing. MnTAP s industry specialists know and understand the industry problems. They can answer questions like: How can I make my manufacturing process and procedures more efficient by eliminating waste? Is there a less-hazardous material I can use at my facility? Can I make environmental improvements that retain product quality and increase profits? How can I use pollution prevention to meet the requirements of environmental regulations? How can I reduce my hazardous waste generator size? 134

13 assistance providers Services from MnTAP include: Telephone Assistance: Staff may be able to answer questions over the telephone, such as who provides aqueous cleaning equipment or low VOC coatings. Staff can also refer you to other resources, like regulatory information and energy saving programs. Site Visits: When solving waste issues at your facility requires more than a simple answer over the telephone, you may benefit from a site visit. A MnTAP staff member will visit your facility to gain a better understanding of your processes and to identify strategies for improving efficiency and reducing waste at your facility. Call for assistance or to request a site visit. Environmental Planning: MnTAP can help you find solutions that contribute to your pollution prevention planning, Environmental Management System (EMS) and ISO certification process. Intern Program: MnTAP hires and pays college students with technical backgrounds to work full-time for a summer in companies to solve waste problems by developing effective wastereduction solutions. A company cost share is required. Customized Research: MnTAP s non-lending library has more than 4,700 industrial and trade publications, technical journals, reports and books. Staff can help with searching. Staff has access to the University of Minnesota resources, as well as connections to industry experts across the country. Presentations and Workshops: MnTAP will work with your company or trade association to develop an industry-specific presentation or workshop. These workshops or conferences focus primarily on reducing waste. Information Resources MnTAP offers over 100 resources including fact sheets, vendor reference lists, and case studies. MnTAP also publishes a free newsletter, Source. Most of MnTAP s publications are available at There are several industry specific sections. Information on services and staff is also available. Publications include: Source: MnTAP s newsletter keeps businesses informed about ways to reduce waste and enhance efficiency. It also provides updates on regulatory news and a calendar of waste related events Minnesota Guide to Pollution Prevention Planning: the manual is designed to help facilities take advantage of the economic and environmental benefits that can come from pollution prevention planning. Available at Materials Exchange Program The Business Reuse Network The program links companies that have excess reusable goods, that otherwise would be disposed of, with companies who can use them. In the last five years, the Materials Exchange has helped businesses save about $3 million and exchange over eight million pounds of material. MnTAP is funded by a grant from the State of Minnesota, through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency s Prevention and Assistance Division, to the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. 135

14 assistance providers ADDRESS/TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) University of Minnesota 200 Oak Street SE, Suite 250 Minneapolis, MN (612) ; toll-free (800) fax (612) Minnesota Materials Exchange Program see MnTAP above or pesticide safety education and environmental education program (Psee) University of Minnesota Extension Service The PSEE is a cooperative national partnership between the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and the University of Minnesota Extension Service. PSEP provides pesticide-related education, training and information to pesticide applicators and the public. The largest activity of PSEP is providing educational leadership for pesticide applicator certification in agriculture, forestry, food processing, water resources, structures, buildings, industrial applications, turf and landscapes, road and utility rights-of-way, and other uses. PSEE also partners in providing educational outreach addressing water quality, integrated pest management for schools and other community settings, pesticide-related concerns of waste management and recycling, environmental public issue education, farm labor and other employee education, endangered and threatened species, and other health, safety, and environmental pesticide related concerns. Address/telephone numbers: Dean Herzfeld, Coordinator Pesticide Safety Education and Environmental Education Program Department of Plant Pathology 495 Borlaug Hall 1991 Upper Buford Circle St. Paul, MN (651) deanh@umn.edu 136