SF 1205

1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; providing funding for rural renewable energy
initiatives; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin RURAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $7,500,000 for fiscal year 2008 and $7,500,000 for fiscal year 2009 are
appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic
development.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner, after consulting with the Rural Renewable Energy and
Economic Development Consortium, shall use $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2008 and
$5,000,000 in fiscal year 2009 as a zero-interest matching loan in units up to $500,000
to support renewable energy-related businesses and enterprises developing, locating, or
expanding in rural Minnesota. The commissioner shall grant $2,500,000 in fiscal year
2008 and $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2009 to the Rural Renewable Energy and Economic
Development Consortium for research and technical support, workforce training, and
equipment housed at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
new text end

new text begin (c) The Rural Renewable Energy and Economic Development Consortium is a
collaborative organization between industry, economic development organizations,
businesses, and Minnesota State University and other educational institutional partners.
The consortium must report to the commissioner annually on June 30 on the status of the
research, technical support, workforce training, and development of equipment, including
the emissions testing laboratory.
new text end