SF 2758

1st Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/11/2010 04:36pm

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; authorizing the development of a virtual
assistance network for Minnesota entrepreneurs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin MINNESOTA ENTREPRENEUR RESOURCE VIRTUAL NETWORK
(MERVN).
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of employment and economic development shall seek sufficient
private sector funding for the Office of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development
(OESBD) to develop, maintain, and market a virtual network to provide seamless access to
statewide resources and expertise for entrepreneurs and existing businesses. The network
must connect Minnesota entrepreneurs to available state and nonstate supported services,
information, financial and technical assistance, and other resources. In developing and
maintaining the network, OESBD must ensure that all listed resources meet established
standards. The goal of the network is to assist in the creation of new Minnesota ventures,
the growth of existing businesses, and the ability of Minnesota entrepreneurs to compete
globally. To the greatest extent possible, the network should be built on and linked
to existing resources designed to make business assistance resources more accessible
to Minnesota businesses.
new text end