Blaine BizConnect Online

Blaine BizConnect - February 2023

Blaine Biz Connect is a monthly e-newsletter to keep you up to date on development happenings in the City of Blaine. From commercial to industrial to residential, Blaine is one of the fastest growing cities in Minnesota and always has new and exciting projects on the horizon.

In this newsletter, you will learn about featured developments, groundbreakings, grand openings, new businesses coming to Blaine, and recent approvals by the City Council.

Recent City Council Approvals

  • Approved a zoning change for several properties on the west side of Highway 65 in anticipation of future development.
  • Approved changes to the B-5 Town Commercial zoning district. The changes included removing dry cleaners from the permitted use section and animal hospitals/clinics from the conditional use section.

Welcome to Blaine

El Norte Mexican Bar and Grill
3453 Lake Drive, Suite 100

El Norte is a Mexican style restaurant that pairs a scratch kitchen and cocktail bar with a great selection of specialty drinks. They feature sizzling fajitas, south of the border burgers, enchiladas, burritos, chimichangas, and tacos with fresh fillings. They also have a wide variety of vegetarian options. Grab a seat at the bar or dine-in with the whole family.
El Norte interior bar
El Norte staff
El Norte exterior

Welcome to Blaine

The Rusty Bumblebee

10950 Club West Parkway, Suite 160

Pour-your-own fun is right here with Blaine’s very first self-pour tap house. The Rusty Bumblebee features the largest self-pour tap wall in Minnesota–including local craft brews, ciders, wine, and other drinks. You only pay for what you pour, and they are constantly changing up what’s on tap. Stop in and see what the buzz is all about.
The Rusty Bumblebee interior
The Rusty Bumblebee staff
The Rusty Bumblebee exterior
Nalty photography

Welcome to Blaine

Nalty Photography

When choosing a wedding photographer, it’s overwhelming deciding how much photography coverage you need. It’s important to work with someone who can guide you in choosing the right amount of wedding photography coverage for your day. Kevin Nalty can help guide you through the prosses, and capture those authentic memories and unique stories behind every smile.
Blaine Police Logo

Police Department Offers Businesses Help

Get a Business Visit to Help Identify Ways to Reduce or Remove Opportunities for Crime

Two members of the Blaine Police Department were recently certified in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). CPTED is multidisciplinary approach to deterring criminal behavior that focuses on changing how properties are laid out, how they look and feel, and how individuals use the space. CPTED attempts to reduce or eliminate opportunities for crime by using elements of the environment to (1) control access; (2) provide opportunities to see and be seen; (3) define ownership; and (4) encourage the maintenance of territory.


Wide-ranging recommendations may include planting or maintenance of vegetation, eliminating escape routes, changing lighting, and encouragement of pedestrian traffic. To learn more about CPTED, visit CPTED.net.


CPTED specialists are now available to conduct premise surveys of commercial spaces in the City of Blaine to provide cost-effective recommendations to remove or reduce opportunities for crime. If your business is interested in using CPTED as a tool in a problem-solving or planning process, contact communityoutreach@blainemn.gov.
House under construction

2022 Housing Wrap Up

Blaine Continues to Show Strong Growth

Housing growth in Blaine continues to be strong with almost 900 units permitted in 2022, the highest number of units permitted in a single year since 2004. Blaine was fourth among Twin Cities suburbs for residential permits issued and fifth for total number of units permitted in 2022, a higher ranking for both statistics than 2021. Blaine continues to add approximately 1000 residents annually to the City making Blaine the 10th largest city in the state of Minnesota.

You can find the full 2022 Housing Wrap Up at BlaineMN.gov/2022HousingWrapUp.

Anoka County Seeks Employers for Hiring Events

Three Events in March

Anoka County Job Training Center is hosting three hiring events in March and is looking for 10 businesses to participate in each event.


Anoka County Hiring Events

March 1: General hiring event

March 15: Remote jobs hiring event

March 22: Seasonal and full-time general hiring event

Time: All events run from 10:30AM-12:30PM

Location: 1201 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN.


For more information on these and future hiring events, contact Maria Lourey-Bowen at maria.lourey-bowen@co.anoka.mn.us or at 763-324-2317.

More Information

This newsletter is brought to you by the Blaine Community Development Department. Find more online at BlaineBiz.com.

Follow us on Facebook.com/BlaineBizMN or Twitter.com/BlaineBizMN.
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10801 Town Square Drive NE, Blaine MN 55449
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