1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to economic development; appropriating money for creation of 
1.3 	sustainable and resilient African-American communities. 
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT 
1.6 	AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.
 1.7 	(a) $375,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $375,000 in fiscal year 2017 are appropriated 
1.8 	from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development 
1.9 	for a grant to the Stairstep Foundation for activities related to the creation of sustainable 
1.10 	and resilient African-American communities. In collaboration with strategic partnership 
1.11 	organizations and in furtherance of this initiative, the Stairstep Foundation will:
1.12 	(1) conduct community engagement and outreach;
1.13 	(2) provide a technological portal to track participants and manage data collection;
1.14 	(3) facilitate baseline and goal assessments for the communities;
1.15 	(4) disseminate information and narratives of community successes; and
1.16 	(5) act as an entry point for individuals into proposed operational and financial 
1.17 	solutions.
1.18 	(b) By February 1, 2018, the Stairstep Foundation shall report to the commissioner 
1.19 	and chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
1.20 	over economic development policy and finance on the activities, expenditures, and 
1.21 	outcomes supported by the appropriation under this section.

1.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.