SF 2943

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/08/2022 08:45am

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; establishing a restaurant relocation assistance
program; requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin RESTAURANT RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM;
APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) $25,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for grants
under this section. Of this amount, no more than $....... may be used for the administrative
costs incurred in making these payments.
new text end

new text begin (b) Of the amount appropriated in paragraph (a), $5,000,000 is for grants to minority
business enterprises, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 116M.14, subdivision 5, and
businesses that are majority owned and operated by women.
new text end

new text begin (c) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin (a) To be eligible for a grant under this subdivision, a business must,
to the extent it is feasible for the commissioner of employment and economic development
to determine:
new text end

new text begin (1) be a restaurant, bar, brewery, or other entertainment venue serving food or beverages
located within the city limits of the city of Minneapolis or the city of St. Paul;
new text end

new text begin (2) have experienced a decline in overall sales between 2019 and 2020 of 30 percent or
more;
new text end

new text begin (3) have been directly impacted by an emergency executive order or emergency regulation
imposing COVID-19 vaccine and testing requirements; and
new text end

new text begin (4) be owned by a resident of Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of employment and economic development shall make grants on
a first-come, first-served basis, to eligible businesses, with no eligible business receiving a
grant of more than $........ Grant money must be used for expenses related to the relocation
of the business outside the city limits of the city of Minneapolis or the city of St. Paul.
Relocation expenses include but are not limited to costs related to breaking of a lease,
moving expenses, legal fees, permitting fees, and other costs associated with relocation of
the business.
new text end

new text begin (c) Priority in awarding grants shall be given to businesses that are located in high-crime
areas within the city limits of the city of Minneapolis or the city of St. Paul.
new text end

new text begin (d) Grants and the process of making grants under this section are exempt from the
following statutes and related policies: Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.15, subdivision 3;
16B.97; and 16B.98, subdivisions 5, 7, and 8. The commissioner of employment and
economic development shall monitor the use of grant money under this section. The
exemptions under this paragraph expire when the appropriation under paragraph (a) has
been expended.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report to legislature. new text end

new text begin By December 31, 2022, the commissioner of employment
and economic development shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over business development detailing the use
of money under this section.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end