Local Spotlight: St. Paul Sales Tax Revitalization Program (STAR) Awards Program

In 1994, the Saint Paul City Council officially established Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) program, which awards grant funding to support local businesses, arts, and cultural organizations. STAR programs include Neighborhood STAR, which provides competitive funding for capital projects in Saint Paul neighborhoods, and Cultural STAR, which provides grants for cultural organizations and events in Saint Paul. Since its start over 30 years ago, STAR has offered grant funding for 33 local capital improvement projects and programs and 78 arts and cultural projects. The STAR program is a major force in celebrating and supporting cultural diversity in Saint Paul. Among Neighborhood STAR recipients, 64% are BIPOC-owned or led, and 58% are woman-owned or led. Over the last 30 years, these funds are estimated to have generated more than $1.4 billion in private investment throughout Saint Paul.