HF 2048

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/19/2015 01:47pm

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; creating a grant program for businesses
affected by the closure of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin UPPER ST. ANTHONY FALLS LOCK CLOSURE GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $20,000,000 in fiscal year 2016 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of employment and economic development for the St. Paul Port Authority
for grants to provide economic assistance to businesses adversely affected by the closure
of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock. This is a onetime appropriation and is available
until June 30, 2035.
new text end

new text begin (b) The St. Paul Port Authority shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) accept grant applications from businesses eligible for assistance under paragraph
(c). Grant applications must be submitted on a form specified by the port authority; new text end

new text begin
(2) review grant applications in the order in which they are received; and
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new text begin (3) award grants to eligible applicants as provided for under paragraph (e), within
the limits of available appropriations. The maximum total grant award to any grantee shall
not exceed $10,000,000.
new text end

new text begin (c) To be eligible for a grant under this section, a business must:
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new text begin (1) be located upriver of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock;
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new text begin (2) as of the effective date of this section, operate a commercial navigation facility
as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 457A.01; and
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new text begin (3) as of the effective date of this section, be actively engaged in the use of
commercial vessels on the commercially navigable waters of the Mississippi River to
expedite the movement of commodities or materials. For the purposes of this section,
"commercial vessel" has the meaning given in section 457A.01.
new text end

new text begin (d) Funds awarded under this subdivision may be used for:
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new text begin (1) relocation costs, including the costs of acquiring or leasing property or capital
equipment; and
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new text begin (2) costs related to the demolition, dismantling, or transportation of property or
capital equipment.
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new text begin (e) The St. Paul Port Authority may only disburse funds pursuant to a written
agreement to be entered into between the St. Paul Port Authority and the grantee.
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new text begin (f) Of the amount appropriated under this section, up to $....... may be used by the
commissioner and the St. Paul Port Authority for administrative costs.
new text end