1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to economic development; appropriating money for the Minnesota 
1.3 	marketing partnership;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.4 	chapter 116J.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [116J.6582] MINNESOTA MARKETING PARTNERSHIP.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Partnership purpose. (a) The commissioner shall work in 
1.8 	partnership with member organizations and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive 
1.9 	economic development marketing program for Minnesota.
1.10 	(b) Initiatives undertaken by the partnership shall include, but are not limited to, 
1.11 	the following:
1.12 	(1) identifying and communicating Minnesota's competitive advantages nationally 
1.13 	and internationally;
1.14 	(2) attending targeted industry events;
1.15 	(3) hosting and sponsoring events that showcase Minnesota to site selectors and 
1.16 	business representatives;
1.17 	(4) strengthening industry initiatives and messaging to key industries across the 
1.18 	country; and
1.19 	(5) continuing and enhancing the department's shovel-ready site program and 
1.20 	assisting communities with limited resources to certify shovel-ready sites.
1.21 		Subd. 2.Grants for shovel-ready site certification. The commissioner may make 
1.22 	grants of up to $2,000, or 50 percent of the cost, to provide certification of shovel-ready 
1.23 	sites.

2.1 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; MINNESOTA MARKETING PARTNERSHIP.
 2.2 	$1,000,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 are appropriated 
2.3 	from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for 
2.4 	Minnesota marketing partnership activities under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.6582. 
2.5 	Of these amounts, the commissioner may use up to five percent for administrative 
2.6 	expenses. This appropriation is available until spent.