Business Enterprises Program for the Blind
Purpose
The purpose of this program is to provide appropriate training and support to assist Minnesotans who are blind become self-employed in their own businesses.
Customers and Services
Primary customers are Minnesotans who are legally blind, meet specific criteria under federal law, and operate their own businesses. Secondary customers are the locations under contract for these businesses and their paying customers. Services include training to operate small businesses and placement in self-employment franchise opportunities on federal, state, county, city, and private property. Small businesses include operating lunchrooms, snack bars, gift shops, vending machine sites and routes, and vending machines at interstate/state highway rest-stops. The program is delivered throughout the state by staff who provide training, management assistance, and technical support to vendors who are blind.
Measures - Reporting period is state fiscal year (SFY), July 1 - June 30
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SFY 2007
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SFY 2008
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SFY 2009
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|
Businesses
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52
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47
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48
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|
Vendors trained
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5
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3
|
3
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Sales volume
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$7.8M
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$7.5M
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$7.3M
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|
Vendors average net profit
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$38,334
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$38,841
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$39,506
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Net profit increase
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.3%
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1.3%
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1.7%
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Funding Source and Expenditure (in thousands)
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|
SFY 2007
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SFY 2008
|
SFY 2009
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|
Federal Fund
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$533
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$604
|
$581
|
|
General Fund
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$144
|
$163
|
$157
|
|
Special Revenue Fund
|
$670
|
$768
|
$636
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Statutory Authority
-- Minn. Stat., Chap. 248; Minn. Rules, Chap. 3321; U.S. Code, Title 20, Sec..107 et. seq.; U.S. Code, Title 29, Sec. 701 et. seq.
Contact Information
Pamela Brown, Director
Phone: 651.642.0793 or toll-free: 800.652.9000; Fax: 651.649.5927; TTY: 888.665.3276
This information current as of January 2010.