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SF 2200

1st Engrossment - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 06/21/2023 09:30am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Current Version - 1st Engrossment

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A bill for an act
relating to economic development; appropriating money to WomenVenture to
establish a business expansion program for women food entrepreneurs; requiring
a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; WOMENVENTURE, WOMEN FOOD
ENTREPRENEURS BUSINESS EXPANSION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for
a grant to WomenVenture to: support business expansion for women food entrepreneurs
throughout Minnesota's food supply chain to help stabilize and strengthen their business
operations; create distribution networks; offer technical assistance and support to beginning
women food entrepreneurs; develop business plans; develop a workforce; research expansion
strategies; and for other related activities. Eligible uses of funds include but are not limited
to:
new text end

new text begin (1) leasehold improvements;
new text end

new text begin (2) additions, alterations, remodeling, or renovations to rented space;
new text end

new text begin (3) inventory or supplies;
new text end

new text begin (4) machinery or equipment purchases;
new text end

new text begin (5) working capital; and
new text end

new text begin (6) debt refinancing.
new text end

new text begin Funds distributed to entrepreneurs may be loans, forgivable loans, and grants. Of this
amount, up to ten percent may be used for the WomenVenture's technical assistance and
administrative costs. This appropriation is onetime and available until June 30, 2026.
new text end

new text begin (b) $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for a grant to WomenVenture to:
support business expansion for women food entrepreneurs throughout Minnesota to help
stabilize and strengthen their business operations; create distribution networks; offer technical
assistance and support to beginning women food entrepreneurs; develop business plans;
develop a workforce; research expansion strategies to address food safety assessments and
to meet applicable food safety regulations; and for other related activities. Eligible uses of
funds include but are not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) leasehold improvements;
new text end

new text begin (2) additions, alterations, remodeling, or renovations to rented space;
new text end

new text begin (3) inventory or supplies;
new text end

new text begin (4) machinery or equipment purchases;
new text end

new text begin (5) working capital; and
new text end

new text begin (6) debt refinancing.
new text end

new text begin Funds distributed to entrepreneurs may be loans, forgivable loans, and grants. A minimum
of 50 percent of this amount shall be distributed to producers registered as Cottage Foods
Producers with the commissioner under Minnesota Statutes, section 28A.152, subdivision
4. Of this amount, up to ten percent may be used for the WomenVenture's technical assistance
and administrative costs. This appropriation is onetime and available until June 30, 2026.
new text end

new text begin (c) By December 15, 2026, WomenVenture must submit a report to the chairs and ranking
members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture and employment
and economic development. The report must include a summary of the uses of the
appropriation, including the amount of the appropriation used for administration. The report
must also provide a breakdown of the amount of funding used for loans, forgivable loans,
and grants, information about the terms of the loans issued, a discussion of how funds from
repaid loans will be used, the number of entrepreneurs assisted, and a breakdown of how
many entrepreneurs received assistance in each county.
new text end