Asian Business & Community Publishing, Inc. was founded in 1982.

In 1980, just five years after the Southeast Asian refugee/immigrant surge began, there were 32,226 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders living in Minnesota. By the Year 1990, family reunification, internal migrations, and continued immigrations increased the AAPI population to 77,886, a 142 percent increase. The 2000 Census reported 141,968 AAPI were living in the state, an astounding 82 percent increase from 1990, and a 341 percent increase from 1980. The projections for 2005 are that the AAPI population will rise to at lease 170,000, nearing four percent of the states population and remain the fastest growing group.

• Asian American Press is the first Asian American publication in Minnesota. Founded in 1982 as Asian Business & Community News, and renamed to the Asian American Press in 1990.

• Asian American Press is the only weekly Asian American newspaper to deliver timely news and information in Minnesota. With its pioneering works in social and political issues, Asian American Press has established a strong affiliation with the local community and organizations.

• Co-sponsor of Asian American celebrations and networking events (Asian American Heritage Banquet, business loan seminars, health expo, and home buying workshops, etc.).

• Member of the Minnesota Minority Media Coalition, Minnesota Newspaper Association, Asian American Journalists Association, Asian Chamber of Commerce, Midway Chamber of Commerce and the Asian Business Association of Minnesota.

Asian American Press will provide quality, weekly news and information to promote diversity and unity among Asians, the general population in Minnesota, and the greater Midwest. Asian American Business & Community Publishing, Inc., which publishes both Asian American Press, a weekly newspaper, and the Asian Business & Community Directory, a community yellow pages, grew out of a need for Asians in Minnesota to have a voice in their community and to share the Asian heritage.

Asian American Press serves as the cultural bridge between mainstream and Asian cultures. It celebrates Asian American cultures and their importance to Minnesota and the greater Midwest. It also serves as a medium for business opportunities between Asians and other people.

Asian American Press readers are from two groups: the Asian American community forms 70 percent of our readers and is comprised of more than 15 Asian ethnic groups, the general public forms the remaining 30 percent.

Our geographic territory covers the major cities in Minnesota’s seven-county area. Our wide reader base consists of household decision makers and members, professionals, business owners, students and educators, government employees, community leaders and other individuals.

Asian American Press is printed weekly with a circulation of 15,000 copies per week with both subscriptions and drop off points in several areas of Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

The newspaper is published every Thursday, and distributed free or mailed to subscribers every Friday. Asian American Press is distributed at over 400 locations such as libraries, restaurants, shopping centers, schools, banks, community centers and in neighborhood areas with a high population of Asian Americans.