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469.323 FOREIGN TRADE ZONE AUTHORITY POWERS.

Subdivision 1.Development of regional distribution center.

The foreign trade zone authority is responsible for creating and implementing a development plan for the regional distribution center. The regional distribution center must be developed with the purpose of expanding, on a regional basis, international distribution capacity and capability. The foreign trade zone authority shall consult only with municipalities that have indicated to the authority an interest in locating the international economic development zone within their boundaries, as well as interested businesses, potential financiers, and appropriate state and federal agencies.

Subd. 2.Business plan.

Before designation of an international economic development zone under section 469.322, the governing body of the foreign trade zone authority shall prepare a business plan. The findings of the business plan shall be presented to the legislature pursuant to section 3.195. Copies of the business plan shall be provided to the chairs of committees with jurisdiction over transportation and economic development. The plan must include an analysis of the economic feasibility of the regional distribution center once it becomes operational and of the operations of freight forwarders and other businesses that choose to locate within the boundaries of the zone. The analysis must provide profitability models that:

(1) include the benefits of the incentives;

(2) estimate the amount of time needed to achieve profitability; and

(3) analyze the length of time incentives will be necessary to the economic viability of the regional distribution center.

If the governing body of the foreign trade authority determines that the models do not establish the economic feasibility of the project, the regional distribution center does not meet the development requirements of this section and section 469.322.

Subd. 3.Port authority powers.

The governing body of the foreign trade zone authority may establish a port authority that has the same powers as a port authority established under section 469.049. If the foreign trade zone authority establishes a port authority, the governing body of the foreign trade zone authority may exercise all powers granted to a city by sections 469.048 to 469.068 within the area of the international economic development zone, except it may not impose or request imposition of a property tax levy under section 469.053 by any city.

Subd. 4.Business subsidy law.

Tax exemptions and job credits provided under this section are business subsidies and the foreign trade zone authority is the local government agency for the purpose of sections 116J.871 and 116J.993 to 116J.995.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes