In St. Paul, more than 275 buildings were looted, damaged, or even razed during the civil unrest that followed the senseless death of George Floyd on May 25. So many of these businesses remain shuttered.
This on top of the ongoing pandemic. One devastating economic blow after another. In particular, businesses with Black, women, and immigrant owners have disproportionately been impacted by both.
We want to help. Will you join us?
Our region is blessed with civic pride, strong companies and leaders who invest in our community. Two of our most engaged CEOs, Chris Hilger of Securian Financial and Doug Baker of Ecolab, are asking for your support in helping to fund rebuilding efforts in the Midway Area and across St. Paul.
Here is their letter to us:
“Saint Paul has been home to Ecolab and Securian Financial for more than 200 combined years. This community is filled with our families, friends and colleagues.
“We mourn together over the killing of George Floyd and the subsequent unrest it triggered following generations of racial injustice. Our organizations are committed to building a better tomorrow with shared opportunity.
“There is a great partnership underway to continue the healing of our hometown. The We Love St. Paul/Midway Fund – a collaboration of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, the Midway Chamber of Commerce and the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance – is raising money for the following priorities.
“Immediate funding for the more than 275 businesses the City of Saint Paul reports were damaged in the recent unrest
“Immediate funding for the smallest businesses and those owned by people of color
“Longer-term strategic planning and redevelopment
“Please join us in supporting this effort to help rebuild these local businesses, many of which were already struggling with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Together we will make a difference.”
How to help: Please go to www.welovethemidway.com or www.welovestpaul.com today and contribute. No donation is too small – or too big!
B Kyle is president and CEO of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. Joe Spencer is president of the St. Paul Downtown Alliance. Chad Kulas is executive director of the Midway Chamber of Commerce.
