Mitigation of Construction Impacts on Local Businesses

Purpose

Minnesota Statutes, section 160.165 addresses business impact mitigation, which is an important part of MnDOT’s public engagement and project development process. The purpose of business mitigation is to:

Involve businesses throughout the project development process
Understand the needs of businesses
Keep businesses informed regarding project issues
Help businesses understand a project and its potential impacts
Mitigate construction impacts to businesses as feasible (this includes reducing and, if practical, preventing negative impacts to businesses)

When to use this subject

A substantial business impact is an impairment of the road access, parking, or visibility for one month or longer and for one or more businesses. (A month impact is the minimum period that triggers required mitigation, but give due consideration regardless of the impact period.) If your project will cause substantial business impacts, you will need to:

Designate a project Business Liaison (someone accessible that affected businesses can contact directly)
Use the Business Impact Mitigation Checklist to ensure and document business impact mitigation
Refer to the resources section on the Minimizing construction impacts on small businesses website for guidelines

For specific process information, see the other guidance page or contact the individuals on the contacts page.

How this subject fits into the overall project development process

MnDOT recognizes that as construction projects become larger in size and duration, small businesses are more at risk for difficulties arising from construction impacts. In response, we work with small businesses early in the project development process to understand their concerns and provide them with information, options, and resources they may need to weather the potential impacts of roadway construction.

Since 2009 we have conducted research, prepared reports, and provided guidance to support MnDOT staff in developing better outreach methods with small businesses. Current areas of interest (2019) include best practices in communication and engagement strategies, construction techniques that mitigate noise and project duration, and outreach to business owners from minority communities or those with limited proficiency in English.

This ongoing effort is also in response to a law passed by the Minnesota State Legislature in 2008 (Laws 2008, Chapter 308). The guidance is developed in coordination with other state agencies, counties, cities, chambers of commerce, and business owners from across Minnesota. Topics include:

MnDOT project development process
Data collection and business outreach
Best practices and lessons learned
Challenges
Recommendations and implementation

Organizations involved

MnDOT:

Public Engagement Section
Innovative Contracting Unit
Office of Project Management and Technical Support
Project Managers
District Design

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development