HF 2514

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 06/02/2016 09:15am

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; modifying host community economic
development grants; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116J.548,
subdivisions 2, 3.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116J.548, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Definitions.

For purposes of this section:

(a) "Capital costs" means expenditures for the public acquisition and of land and
buildings, betterment of public lands and buildings, and for other publicly owned capital
improvements. Capital costs also include expenditures for predesign, design, engineering,
and similar activities for specifically identified eligible projects.

(b) "Eligible project" means a development or redevelopment project that will
generate economic development within a time frame of five years or less or facilitate the
preparation of long-term economic development within a host community.

(c) "Economic development" means assistance in preparation of a redevelopment or
development area contained in the application that results in at least one of the following:

(1) job creation, including jobs relating to construction and temporary jobs;

(2) an increase in the tax base,;

(3) the capacity ability of the eligible project to attract private investment, and;

(4) long-term economic development;

(5) needed public infrastructure or transportation-related improvements to facilitate
long-term redevelopment or development; or

(6) other objective criteria established by the commissioner that demonstrate a
public benefit to the host community.

(d) "Host community" means a city located within the seven-county metropolitan
area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, that is the site of a waste disposal
facility that meets the standards in section 473.849, that accepts unprocessed mixed
municipal solid waste generated in the metropolitan area.

(e) "Long-term economic development" means capital costs associated with
economic development projects identified by a host community comprehensive plan or
redevelopment plan that will generate eligible economic development.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116J.548, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Application.

Host communities may apply for a grant under this section
on a form and in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. In awarding grants under
this section, the commissioner shall give priority to eligible projects that, based on a
cost-benefit analysis, provide the highest return on public investment. the commissioner
must allocate available money between host communities as evenly as practicable.