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HF 4961

Local Initiatives Support Corporation Duluth office grant funding provided, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Johnson and 1 co-sponsor

Provides a one-time $1.5 million General Fund grant to Duluth LISC to advance equitable economic development, bolster local organizations, and expand entrepreneurial resources and

Introduction and first reading, referred to Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
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Bill Summary · HF 4961

Summary of HF 4961 (Session 2025-2026) – Minnesota

Purpose

HF 4961 seeks to appropriates funds to support the Duluth office of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in order to advance equitable economic development in Northeast Minnesota. The bill designates a one-time appropriation from the General Fund to bolster community-based efforts, commercial corridor vitality, and access to entrepreneurial resources.

Key Provisions

  • ** appropriation amount and source*: Adds a one-time appropriation of *$1,500,000 in fiscal year 2027** from the Minnesota General Fund.
  • ** recipient and purpose*: Pays a grant to the **Duluth office of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)*.
  • ** objectives of funding**:
    • Advance equitable economic development in Northeast Minnesota.
    • Strengthen community-based organizations.
    • Enhance commercial corridor vitality and economic development.
    • Expand access to resources and technical assistance through the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Network.
  • ** allowable uses of grant funds**:
    • Conduct workshops and promote community and organizational networking and learning experiences.
    • Support staff resources and enable leveraging of additional grant dollars.
    • Serve as lending capital to support local financing activities.
  • ** appropriation nature*: Explicitly characterized as a **one-time* appropriation.

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • Primary recipient: The Duluth office of LISC would receive the grant.
  • Beneficiaries: Local communities in Northeast Minnesota, including:
    • Community-based organizations and nonprofits involved in economic development.
    • Small businesses and entrepreneurs benefiting from increased resources, networking, and access to lending capital.
    • Areas along local commercial corridors that may experience revitalization and improved economic activity.
  • Broader impact: The funding is intended to support the broader regional entrepreneurial ecosystem by expanding access to technical assistance and leveraging additional grant dollars.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Legislative status: Introduced as H. F. No. 4961; referred on 04/13/2026 to the Committee on Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy.
  • Effective date/duration: The appropriation is a one-time funding action for fiscal year 2027. The bill does not specify ongoing annual funding.
  • Authoring/sponsorship:
    • Primary sponsor(s) not listed in summary; co-sponsors include Lish Kozlowski and Pete Johnson.
  • Implementation considerations: If enacted, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) would be responsible for administering the grant to LISC Duluth and ensuring compliance with state financial management and reporting requirements.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • The infusion of $1.5 million could catalyze local economic development initiatives through LISC’s Duluth office, particularly in areas requiring equitable growth, corridor revitalization, and enhanced access to entrepreneurial resources.
  • As a one-time appropriation, sustained impact may depend on ongoing leveraging of LISC’s network and additional funding or programmatic commitments beyond fiscal year 2027.
  • Evaluation measures are not specified in the text; typical outcomes would include metrics on workforce development, business formation and survival, loan origination, and improvements in corridor activity.

This summary covers the bill’s core intent, key provisions, affected parties, and procedural context to aid understanding of its scope and potential impact.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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