Small business group to host class on paid leave - Pine and Lakes Echo Journal

BRAINERD — With Minnesota Paid Leave in effect as of Jan. 1, 2026, the North Central Small Business Development Center at Central Lakes College will host a series of no-cost lunch and learn trainings to help businesses understand and implement the new law.

Each one-hour session will cover Minnesota Paid Leave basics for employers, including key responsibilities, payroll contributions, reporting considerations and how the program may interact with existing leave policies.

The goal is to provide clear, practical guidance that business owners can immediately apply.

“We know small businesses are navigating a lot of change,” Katie Heppner, North Central SBDC regional director, said in a news release. “These sessions are designed to break the law down into straightforward steps so businesses can move forward with more confidence.”

Upcoming lunch and learn trainings are at noon on:

March 17 in Pine River.
March 24 in Aitkin.
March 31 in Walker.
April 14 in Brainerd.
April 20 in Wadena.

In addition to the trainings, one-on-one consulting is available for small businesses that want more individualized support.

To register for a lunch and learn training or request consulting, visit

www.northcentralsbdc.com/paid-leave

Consulting and training are offered at no cost through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Paid Leave Outreach Grant.

The North Central Small Business Development Center is hosted at Central Lakes College and provides no-cost, confidential business consulting, training and resources to entrepreneurs and small business owners across an 11-county region, as well as the Leech Lakes and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe.

The North Central SBDC supports clients at all stages of business, from idea development to growth and transition.

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