Statement from Hospitality Minnesota Regarding the End of Operation Metro Surge
Statement from Hospitality Minnesota Regarding the End of Operation Metro Surge
February 12, 2026
Today, Minnesota begins the road to recovery. Governor Walz’s proposal for a one-time $10 million investment in the Small Business Institution Fund to provide forgivable loans is a welcomed first step. It must be followed by a comprehensive set of relief measures for the hospitality sector. Like our guests, restaurants are unique. We need a robust menu of recovery options.
Minnesota’s hospitality industry has suffered tremendously from the collateral effects of federal immigration activities. Some businesses reported losing millions per week. Others are mere weeks from facing difficult decisions like cutting hours, cutting staff, or closing altogether. These decisions create a ripple effect for hardworking employees, vendors, and neighborhoods.
As the session begins, we urge lawmakers—especially legislative leaders and committee chairs—to recognize hospitality as a cornerstone of Minnesota’s social and economic ecosystems and to elevate meaningful relief for this hemorrhaging sector within their caucus agendas.
Our businesses don’t want handouts. They want fair policies that will allow them to be successful on merit. Low-hanging fruits such as a sales tax holiday, allowing hospitality to charge reasonable, transparent service charges, and prohibiting credit card processors from collecting a fee on tips and taxes are just some easy targets.
We look forward to working with legislators to boost our industry and keep Minnesotans employed.
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