The St. Anthony Park Business Association (SAPBA) is an active group of individuals working together to promote, maintain, and enhance the business environment in St. Anthony Park, the neighborhood of St. Paul bounded by the city limits to the north and west, I-94 to the south, and Transfer Road to the east. The Association welcomes both for-profit and non-profit businesses, as well as individuals and home-based businesses.

WHAT DOES SAPBA DO?

SAPBA achieves its mission through a variety of initiatives. SAPBA provides information to members on issues of importance to business, promotes the St. Anthony Park business community through coop advertising and special events, encourages networking and social opportunities, represents and advocates for members and the business community before the St. Anthony Park Community Council (District 12), the City Council and State Legislature, and serves as a liaison with the Mayor's office and key departments of the City of St. Paul.

HOW LONG HAS SAPBA BEEN IN EXISTENCE?

Since 1977 there has been a dedicated group of businesspeople working on behalf of the St. Anthony Park business community. SAPBA has grown to more than 70 members representing businesses throughout North and South St. Anthony Park.

WHO BELONGS TO SAPBA?

SAPBA members include large real estate developers, small retailers, banks, dentists, attorneys, arts organizations, professional photographers, contractors, restaurants, freelance artists and designers, educational institutions, social service agencies, corporations, and many other businesses. SAPBA also welcomes businesspeople and professionals who aren't located in St. Anthony Park, but want to be connected to this business community.


HOW DOES SAPBA WORK?

At its annual meeting in January of each year SABPA members elect a board of directors to oversee the Association's work and to direct the activities of the Association's Executive Director. In addition, there are several standing committees of the Association that meet regularly to deal with issues of concern and plan activities.

The standing SAPBA committees are:

• Finance Committee -- Reviews and maintains organization finances and budget.
• Image Committee -- Develops and maintains image enhancing programs and services for business areas in the neighborhood.
• Membership Committee -- Provides leadership to the organization in recruiting new members, over- seeing member services, such as the monthly newsletter, and developing programming of interest to members.
• Planning and Community Development Committee -- Oversees and advises Association of immediate and long-range issues,including economic development, parking and security.
• Promotions Committee -- Creates and coordinates member and community-wide special events and promotions, including the annual Spring Festival and Holiday Lights.

The work of the Association is carried out by members with the assistance of a part-time Executive Director. Annual member dues, supplemented by income from fundraisers and grants, make possible the Association's activities.

BENEFITS OF BEING A SAPBA MEMBER

SAPBA members enjoy a broad range of benefits from their involvement in the Association.

Networking with other businesspeople in the area.

• Receiving news and information through the monthly newsletter.
• Having an opportunity to meet with elected officials and senior staff of the City of St. Paul and Ramsey County.
• Hearing about trends in business, new opportunities and other ideas and programs at monthly member meetings.
• Communicating concerns and opinions to key audiences through community newspapers, letters, and testimony.
• Participating in joint promotions and advertising to build business, attract customers, and communicate an image, all at no, or very low, cost.
• Having a voice at the St. Anthony Park Community Council, St. Paul City Council, State Legislature and other forums.
• Enjoying social events such as the Holiday Lights Dinner and Silent Auction, the Holiday Breakfast, and Spring Festival Breakfast.
• Cooperating on issues of common concern, including parking, streetscape, economic development, Light Rail transit, property taxes, etc.