SF 5176

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 04/21/2026 09:05 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; establishing a cooperative development grant
program; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116J.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [116J.408] COOPERATIVE GRANTS.
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new text begin (a) The commissioner may establish and implement a grant program to help finance new
cooperatives that organize for purposes of operating a processing facility or marketing a
product or service.
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new text begin (b) An eligible grantee under this section must:
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new text begin (1) be a cooperative organized under chapter 308A, 308B, or 308C;
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new text begin (2) certify that all control of the cooperative is from persons who are patrons or who are
actively engaged in the activities pursued by the cooperative;
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new text begin (3) be operated primarily to process, market, or provide services produced in Minnesota;
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new text begin (4) operate primarily in service of Minnesota-based patrons; and
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new text begin (5) not allow nonpatron voting rights.
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new text begin (c) The commissioner may receive applications and make grants up to $50,000 to eligible
grantees for feasibility, marketing analysis, assistance with organizational development,
financing and managing new cooperatives, product development, development of business
and marketing plans, and predesign of facilities, including site analysis, the development
of bid specifications, preliminary blueprints and schematics, and the completion of purchase
agreements and other necessary legal documents.
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new text begin (d) Grants must be matched dollar-for-dollar with other money or in-kind contributions.
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