Minnesota Business Snapshot Data

In September 2016, Secretary of State Steve Simon launched the Minnesota Business Snapshot, an initiative designed to better serve Minnesotans by providing the public—from consumers to small business owners to educational institutions—with critical data and information on the economic and demographic makeup of Minnesota’s businesses.

The Minnesota Business Snapshot (MBS) is a voluntary, five-question survey being offered to over one million new and existing businesses in Minnesota as they file an original filing and subsequent annual renewals and/or annual reinstatements. To date, over 695,000 businesses have participated. The survey was put together with the input of individual business owners, business organizations, non-profits, and researchers from across the state.

The survey asks Minnesota business owners a variety of questions, including how many full-time employees they have; whether they self-identify as a member of a specific community, such as a veteran, woman, or community of color; the industry or field in which the business operates; whether it’s a full-time or part-time endeavor; and gross revenues for the past year.

The Minnesota Business Snapshot makes it easier and more convenient for business owners to identify potential partners, for consumers to target their spending, and for the public and educational institutions to better understand the economic and demographic makeup of our state’s business community.

There are two Minnesota Snapshot Data currently available to purchase:

• Minnesota Business Snapshot Bulk Data can be purchased on either a one-time basis or as a recurring monthly order. The data includes specific responses from each business that has voluntarily responded to any of the five survey questions listed below. A Minnesota Business Snapshot Bulk order request form and signed license agreement are required. Minnesotans can purchase Bulk Data for $100. As a service to the public, the Secretary of State’s Office provides information collected from the Minnesota Business Snapshot to state, county, and municipal governments at no cost.

Note: A Registered User Account will be required to access the Bulk Data.

• • Minnesota Business Snapshot Bulk License Agreement (Private)
  • Minnesota Business Snapshot Bulk License Agreement (Government Agency)
  • Minnesota Business Snapshot Bulk Implementation Guide
  • Minnesota Business Snapshot Bulk Data Order Request Form

• Minnesota Business Snapshot Customized Data can be purchased on a one-time basis. You can customize your search criteria by selecting one of the five survey questions listed below. You can also customize the survey data by requesting criteria either by specific zip code or city. A Minnesota Business Snapshot customized order request form and signed license agreement is required. Minnesotans can purchase customized data for $35. As a service to the public, the Secretary of State’s Office provides information collected from the Minnesota Business Snapshot to state, county, and municipal governments at no cost.

The data is provided as a comma-separated value (CSV) file. The file is delivered as a compressed (zip) file.

• • Minnesota Business Snapshot Customized Order Request
  • Minnesota Business Snapshot Customized User Guide

For the complete list of Minnesota Business Snapshot survey questions and response options, see below:

1. (Select up to one) - How many Minnesota–based full-time employees (or FTE equivalents) does this entity currently have?

• 0-5
• 6-50
• 51-200
• 201-500
• Over 500

2. (Select all that apply) - Does the owner or a member of the ownership group of this entity self-identify as a member of any of the following communities?

• Woman
• Member of a community of color
• Veteran
• Member of a disability community
• Member of an immigrant community

3. (Select up to one) - Using the NAICS codes below, please select the code that best describes this entity. If you believe this entity falls into more than one category, please select the category that generates the majority of the entity’s revenue.

a) Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (Code 11)
b) Mining (Code 21)
c) Utilities (Code 22)
d) Construction (Code 23)
e) Manufacturing (Codes 31-33)
f) Wholesale Trade (Code 42)
g) Retail Trade (Codes 44-45)
h) Transportation and Warehousing (Codes 48-49)
i) Information (Code 51)
j) Finance and Insurance (Code 52)
k) Real Estate Rental and Leasing (Code 53)
l) Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (Code 54)
m) Management of Companies and Enterprises (Code 55)
n) Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (Code 56)
o) Educational Services (Code 61)
p) Health Care and Social Assistance (Code 62)
q) Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (Code 71)
r) Accommodation and Food Services (Code 72)
s) Other Services (except Public Administration) (Code 81)
t) Public Administration (Code 92)

4. (Select up to one) Is this entity a full-time or part-time endeavor for those primarily responsible for operating this entity?

• Full-time
• Part-time

5. (Select up to one) - If applicable, what were this entity’s gross revenues for the past year?

• $0 - $10,000
• $10,001 - $50,000
• $50,001 - $250,000
• $250,001 - $1M
• Over $1M

Please contact the Business Information Lines at (651) 296-2803 or 1-877-551-6767 if you have further questions.