1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to economic development; authorizing the development of a virtual 
1.3 	assistance network for Minnesota entrepreneurs.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. MINNESOTA ENTREPRENEUR RESOURCE VIRTUAL NETWORK 
1.6 	(MERVN).
 1.7 	The commissioner of employment and economic development shall seek sufficient 
1.8 	private sector funding for the Office of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development 
1.9 	(OESBD) to develop, maintain, and market a virtual network to provide seamless access to 
1.10 	statewide resources and expertise for entrepreneurs and existing businesses. The network 
1.11 	must connect Minnesota entrepreneurs to available state and nonstate supported services, 
1.12 	information, financial and technical assistance, and other resources. In developing and 
1.13 	maintaining the network, OESBD must ensure that all listed resources meet established 
1.14 	standards. The goal of the network is to assist in the creation of new Minnesota ventures, 
1.15 	the growth of existing businesses, and the ability of Minnesota entrepreneurs to compete 
1.16 	globally. To the greatest extent possible, the network should be built on and linked 
1.17 	to existing resources designed to make business assistance resources more accessible 
1.18 	to Minnesota businesses.