HF 3388

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/21/2016 01:48pm

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; modifying duties of the Bureau of Small
Business; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section
116J.68.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116J.68, is amended to read:

116J.68 BUREAU OF SMALL BUSINESS.

Subdivision 1.

Generally.

The Bureau of Small Business within the business
assistance center shall serve as a clearinghouse new text begin , technical assistance center, new text end and referral
service for information new text begin and other assistance new text end needed by small businesses including small
targeted group businesses and small businesses located in an economically disadvantaged
area.

Subd. 2.

Duties.

The bureau shall:

(1) provide information and assistance with respect to all aspects of business
planning new text begin , business finance, new text end and business management related to the start-up, operation, or
expansion of a small business in Minnesota;

(2) refer persons interested in the start-up, operation, or expansion of a small
business in Minnesota to assistance programs sponsored by federal agencies, state
agencies, educational institutions, chambers of commerce, civic organizations, community
development groups, private industry associations, and other organizations;

(3) plan, develop, and implement a master file of information on small business
assistance programs of federal, state, and local governments, and other public and private
organizations so as to provide comprehensive, timely information to the bureau's clients;

(4) employ staff with adequate and appropriate skills and education and training for
the delivery of information and assistance;

(5) seek out and utilize, to the extent practicable, contributed expertise and services
of federal, state, and local governments, educational institutions, and other public and
private organizations;

(6) maintain a close and continued relationship with the director of the procurement
program within the Department of Administration so as to facilitate the department's
duties and responsibilities under sections 16C.16 to 16C.19 relating to the small targeted
group business and economically disadvantaged business program of the state;

(7) develop an information system which will enable the commissioner and other
state agencies to efficiently store, retrieve, analyze, and exchange data regarding small
business development and growth in the state. All executive branch agencies of state
government and the secretary of state shall to the extent practicable, assist the bureau in
the development and implementation of the information system;

(8) establish and maintain a toll-free telephone number new text begin , e-mail account, and other
electronic contact mediums determined by the commissioner new text end so that all small business
persons anywhere in the state deleted text begin can call deleted text end new text begin may contact new text end the bureau office for assistance.
An outreach program shall be established to make the existence of the bureau new text begin and the
assistance and services the bureau may provide to small businesses new text end well known to its
potential clientele throughout the state. If the small business person requires a referral to
another provider the bureau may use the business assistance referral system established by
the Minnesota Project Outreach Corporation;

(9) conduct research and provide data as required by the state legislature;

(10) develop and publish material on all aspects of the start-up, operation, or
expansion of a small business in Minnesota;

(11) collect and disseminate information on state procurement opportunities,
including information on the procurement process;

(12) develop a public awareness program deleted text begin through the use of deleted text end new text begin regarding state
assistance programs for small businesses, including those programs specifically for
socially disadvantaged small business persons. The commissioner may utilize print and
electronic new text end newsletters, personal contacts, deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin advertising devices as defined in section
173.02, subdivision 16, social media, other new text end electronic and print news media advertising
deleted text begin about state assistance programs for small businesses, including those programs specifically
for socially disadvantaged small business persons deleted text end new text begin , and any other means determined by
the commissioner new text end ;

(13) enter into agreements with the federal government and other public and private
entities to serve as the statewide coordinator or host agency for the federal small business
development center program under United States Code, title 15, section 648; and

(14) assist providers in the evaluation of their programs and the assessment of
their service area needs. The bureau may establish model evaluation techniques and
performance standards for providers to use.

Sec. 2. new text begin BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of employment and economic development for expansion of business assistance services
provided by business development specialists located in the Northwest Region, Northeast
Region, West Central Region, Southwest Region, Southeast Region, and Twin Cites Metro
Region offices established throughout the state. Funds under this section may be used to
provide services including, but not limited to, business start-ups; expansion; location or
relocation; finance; regulatory and permitting assistance; and other services determined
by the commissioner. Business development specialists must, to the extent feasible,
contact owners of new or expanded businesses within 90 days of the business start-up or
expansion to offer follow-up or consultative services, or other services or assistance upon
request. The commissioner may also use funds under this section to increase the number
of business development specialists in each region of the state, increase and expand the
services provided through each regional office, and publicize the services available
and provide outreach to communities in each region regarding services and assistance
available through the business development specialist program.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin BUREAU OF SMALL BUSINESS PROMOTION ACTIVITIES;
APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of employment and economic development to enhance the outreach and public awareness
activities of the Bureau of Small Business under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.68.
new text end