Self-Employment through the Business Enterprises Program

The Minnesota Business Enterprises Program (BEP) provides profitable vending machine business opportunities to qualified licensed legally blind Minnesotans in order to broaden their economic opportunities. You've probably come across one of our community partner sites in a state or federal office building, a rest area or on a state college or university campus.

Overview

The BEP provides training, certification, technical support and management services to these self-employed vending business owners.

Qualified individuals must work with an SSB counselor, meet the requirements of our comprehensive evaluation process, and complete an extensive training to be certified to operate a BEP vending business.

The BEP administers this program under the authority of the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act and has an exclusive authority to establish vending businesses on state property.

News and Features
Legislation
Management Committee
Documents
Contact

News and Features

Check here for news, podcasts and other features from the Business Enterprises Program
- Listen to this podcast all about the BEP program. It features Minnesota’s Scott Eggen along with BEP operators from Florida and Tennessee
- Listen to a podcast interview with one of our small business owners, Michael Colbrunn
Legislation

Federal
- 34 CFR Part 395
- Randolph-Sheppard Act
State
Management Committee

The Management Committee (MC) actively participates with State Services for the Blind (SSB), the state licensing agency, in major administrative decisions and policy and program development affecting the overall administration of all business enterprises.

Mandated by both state and federal law, the MC meets at least four times a year. It's comprised of six members who are elected for two-year terms.

If you have questions or need to contact the committee, please call Chairman Michael Colbrunn at 507-469-9492.
Documents

Policy and Procedures Manual
- Affidavit of Blindness
- Annual Business Review
- Bid Card
- Certified as Qualified Manual - process to become a licensed Blind community partner in the Minnesota Business Enterprises Program
- Dress Code
- Emergency Notification
- General Insurance Limits
- Grievance Process Acknowledgement
- OJT Guideline Checklist
- Operator Agreement
- Payroll and Earnings Statement
- Private Property
- Respectful Workplace
- Sign-on/Sign-off
- Vending Machine Orientation
Contact

For further information about the BEP, contact John Hulet at 651-539-2284.