Par365 in Roseville is a business born from the pandemic.
“We had never played golf growing up,” said Thomas Jackson, who owns PAR365 with his wife, Mercedes. “There are so many benefits to this game that we didn’t know about. We thought, wouldn’t it be great if we could create a physical space that reflects our experience in golf and something more affordable, more approachable, and more accessible?”
PAR365, an indoor golf center, opened in early 2024, near Rosedale Center. It features simulators as well as a bar and restaurant. Like all small business owners looking for ways to cut costs, Thomas and Mercedes Jackson were intrigued when they heard BizRecycling was handing out up to $50,000 to qualifying businesses.
BizRecycling is a public program run by Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (R&E), which has been in operation since 2013. It has supported over 4,000 local businesses with free resources to reduce waste, improve recycling, and operate more sustainably. BizRecycling provides free consultations for businesses, including non-profits, schools, healthcare facilities, offices, restaurants, warehouses, and residential buildings.
Thomas said he just called the folks at BizRecycling, and they came out to PAR365 to do a walkthrough. “They pointed out different areas that they could support.”
From there, the Jacksons were guided on how to complete the application, a process that proved to be relatively simple and beneficial.
“We got a $10,000 grant, and that allowed us to purchase an efficient dishwasher,” Mercedes said. Previously, the Jacksons were leasing a dishwasher at a substantial monthly cost. “As we were looking for ways to better utilize our capital, this was a great opportunity,” Mercedes added.
The BizRecycle grant process was much different than what the Jacksons experienced when trying to apply and receive grants in the past. Mercedes said the confusing applications and the time it takes to fill them out seemed counterproductive.
“It was like a black box. I felt a more efficient use of my time would be to get a job and use those hours to make an income and put that into the business.”
Instead, Thomas and Mercedes Jackson were able to easily access funds on par with their business needs. They encourage other small business owners to check out BizRecycling.
“They are active participants and give you a clear line of sight,” Mercedes added. “And, because it’s through the county, there are direct people you can contact.”
Help through BizRecycling is available on all levels, with many businesses qualifying for simple solutions like bins and labels to mark recycling or packaging solutions. The BizRecycling program is ongoing and open to businesses in Ramsey and Washington Counties. You can learn more about the program here.