1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to economic development; providing funding for rural renewable energy 
1.3 	initiatives; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. RURAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ECONOMIC 
1.6 	DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM; APPROPRIATION.
 1.7 	(a) $7,500,000 for fiscal year 2008 and $7,500,000 for fiscal year 2009 are 
1.8 	appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic 
1.9 	development.
1.10 	(b) The commissioner, after consulting with the Rural Renewable Energy and 
1.11 	Economic Development Consortium, shall use $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2008 and 
1.12 	$5,000,000 in fiscal year 2009 as a zero-interest matching loan in units up to $500,000 
1.13 	to support renewable energy-related businesses and enterprises developing, locating, or 
1.14 	expanding in rural Minnesota. The commissioner shall grant $2,500,000 in fiscal year 
1.15 	2008 and $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2009 to the Rural Renewable Energy and Economic 
1.16 	Development Consortium for research and technical support, workforce training, and 
1.17 	equipment housed at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
1.18 	(c) The Rural Renewable Energy and Economic Development Consortium is a 
1.19 	collaborative organization between industry, economic development organizations, 
1.20 	businesses, and Minnesota State University and other educational institutional partners. 
1.21 	The consortium must report to the commissioner annually on June 30 on the status of the 
1.22 	research, technical support, workforce training, and development of equipment, including 
1.23 	the emissions testing laboratory.