SF 3260

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/30/2016 08:48am

A bill for an act
relating to business development; establishing a grant program for business
development in the Southeast Asian community; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin SOUTHEAST ASIAN COMMUNITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT;
APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of employment and economic development for grants to eligible
organizations to work collaboratively in providing business development and assistance
services to businesses owned by members of the Hmong, Karen, and other Southeast
Asian communities in the state. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June
30, 2019. For the purposes of this section, "eligible organizations" means: Hmong 18
Clan Council, Hmong Chamber of Commerce, and Hmong American Vanguard Power
Allegiance for Justice. Grant funds awarded under this section may be used to provide
services to business owners and aspiring business owners in the Hmong, Laotian, Karen,
Thai, and Vietnamese communities, including but not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) technical assistance;
new text end

new text begin (2) education and skill building in business administration and management;
new text end

new text begin (3) recruitment and outreach to business owners and aspiring business owners; and
new text end

new text begin (4) training opportunities in the skilled trades, small business start-up and
management, and business finance, including loan and grant application processes and
procedures.
new text end

new text begin Up to ... percent of grants awarded under this section may be used by award recipients for
administrative costs, including the hiring of additional staff.
new text end