HF 2872

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/15/2016 03:42pm

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; establishing a greater Minnesota workforce
and community development pilot grant program; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin GREATER MINNESOTA WORKFORCE AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT PILOT GRANT PROGRAM.
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new text begin (a) The commissioner of employment and economic development shall establish a
greater Minnesota workforce and community development pilot grant program to provide
grants to eligible organizations to identify and support local economic development
initiatives in greater Minnesota designed to attract workers and new residents by
marketing regional assets through enhanced digital content.
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new text begin (b) For the purposes of this section, "eligible organization" means a regional
development commission, or regional initiative foundation in regions of the state where no
regional development commission operates, which meets the following criteria:
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new text begin (1) the organization operates in a county with no more than 60,000 residents based
on the most recent United States Census data;
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new text begin (2) the organization can demonstrate the existence of local economic development
initiatives within the organization's service area operating to attract new workers and
residents by marketing regional assets through enhanced digital content; and
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new text begin (3) the organization can demonstrate that communities, including counties, cities, or
towns, located in the organization's service area:
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new text begin (i) are engaged in collaborative regional marketing efforts to increase the online
presence of the communities;
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new text begin (ii) have developed and are currently operating active social media outreach
campaigns promoting a progressive business climate and targeting industries identified as
desirable;
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new text begin (iii) can demonstrate that outreach efforts are: creating interest in the region;
promoting the area in attracting new businesses and growing existing businesses; and
expanding the local workforce; and
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new text begin (iv) can demonstrate that outreach efforts have attracted new workers or residents
to the communities.
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new text begin (c) A regional development commission or regional initiative foundation selected
to participate in the pilot program may award funds to local communities through a
competitive grant process. Local communities eligible to apply to a regional development
commission or regional initiative foundation for funding must:
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new text begin (1) demonstrate the existence of local economic development initiatives within their
boundaries that are working to attract workers and new residents by marketing through
enhanced digital content;
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new text begin (2) not exceed the population limit established under paragraph (b), clause (1);
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new text begin (3) demonstrate participation in collaborative regional marketing efforts to increase
the online presence of the community;
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new text begin (4) demonstrate they have developed active social media outreach campaigns
promoting a progressive business climate and targeting industries identified as desirable;
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new text begin (5) demonstrate that outreach efforts are: creating interest in the region; promoting
the area in attracting new businesses and growing existing businesses; and expanding
the local workforce; and
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new text begin (6) demonstrate that outreach efforts have attracted new workers or residents to
the community.
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new text begin (d) Grants available under this section may be used for the following purposes:
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new text begin (1) operating costs, including but not limited to staff, office space, computers,
software, travel, and Web development and maintenance services;
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new text begin (2) organization of local support and collaborative activities to train and mobilize
participants to become community ambassadors through the digital platforms;
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new text begin (3) construction and maintenance of social media infrastructure; and
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new text begin (4) Web development and maintenance including service contracts with vendors
having at least three years' prior economic development related marketing and Web
construction management experience, at least six current economic development clients,
and who have demonstrated a strong background in working to increase the online profile
of local governments. Preference must be given to Minnesota-based contractors having at
least three years of economic development marketing experience. Any final Web solution
must be integrated with the Minnesota LocationOne Information System or its successor.
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new text begin (e) Any grant award under this section must be matched with nonstate resources
at a level of 25 percent.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of employment and economic development for the greater Minnesota workforce and
community development pilot grant program established in section 1. This is a onetime
appropriation.
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