1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to economic development; appropriating money for a study of the 
1.3 	economic growth in southeast Minnesota.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC 
1.6 	DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES.
 1.7 	(a) $275,000 in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
1.8 	commissioner of employment and economic development for a grant to Community and 
1.9 	Economic Development Associates (CEDA) for an economic development study and 
1.10 	analysis of the effects of current and projected economic growth in southeast Minnesota. 
1.11 	This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2019.
1.12 	(b) The study must address:
1.13 	(1) current and projected economic, fiscal, and demographic effects and issues;
1.14 	(2) direct and indirect costs and benefits;
1.15 	(3) positive and negative effects, including those upon workforce, taxation, and 
1.16 	transportation; and
1.17 	(4) economic challenges and opportunities for economic growth or diversification.
1.18 	The study must be objective, evidence-based, and designed to produce empirical data. 
1.19 	Study data must be used to formulate policy recommendations on how the state, the 
1.20 	collective southeastern region of the state, and cities in southeast Minnesota may respond 
1.21 	to the challenges and opportunities for economic growth and financial investment that 
1.22 	may be derived from the projected regional economic changes.
1.23 	(c) The study and analysis must be conducted by an independent entity with 
1.24 	demonstrated knowledge in the following areas:
2.1 	(1) the economy and demography of Minnesota;
2.2 	(2) the medical and technology fields of southeast Minnesota;
2.3 	(3) technologies, markets, and other factors that have an impact on current and 
2.4 	future economic growth in the region; and
2.5 	(4) the transportation, housing, and current infrastructure of southeast Minnesota.
2.6 	(d) CEDA shall report on the findings and recommendations of the study to the 
2.7 	committees of the house of representatives and senate with jurisdiction over economic 
2.8 	development and workforce issues by February 15, 2017. All results and information 
2.9 	gathered from the study shall be made available for use by cities in southeast Minnesota 
2.10 	by March 15, 2017.