Bill
HF 4391
Provides targeted grants to small businesses in St. Paul and West St. Paul for economic development and job retention.
HF 4391 provides grant funding designated for economic development and job retention efforts specifically aimed at small businesses located in the cities of St. Paul and West St. Paul. The bill seeks to bolster small business activity, support job stability, and stimulate local economic growth through targeted grants.
Grant Funding Allocation: Establishes or designates state grant funding to be used for economic development initiatives and for retaining existing jobs within small businesses in the specified municipalities (St. Paul and West St. Paul).
Targeted Beneficiaries: Small businesses operating in the cited cities that meet program criteria are eligible to receive support. The bill focuses on preserving jobs and promoting business growth at a local level.
Program Scope and Administration: The bill outlines the purpose of the funds (economic development and job retention) and would define administration avenues—likely through a state agency or department responsible for workforce, development, or economic policy. Details such as application processes, eligibility criteria, reporting requirements, and oversight would be determined by implementing rules.
Funding Source and Amounts: While the exact dollar amounts and funding sources are not specified in the available summary, the bill authorizes appropriations or grant programs tied to the two cities for the stated purposes. The specifics (e.g., total appropriation, grant caps, matching requirements) would be clarified in the enacted text or related fiscal notes.
Temporal Scope: The bill establishes the framework for the grants and may include duration (e.g., fiscal year funds or multi-year program) and potential renewal or sunset provisions. Timelines for grant cycles, disbursement, and reporting are typically defined by implementing guidelines.
Small Businesses in St. Paul and West St. Paul: The primary beneficiaries, eligible to apply for grants to support expansion, retention of existing jobs, or other qualifying economic development activities.
Local Workforce and Economic Development Stakeholders: City officials, local chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and workforce boards may engage with the program for administration, outreach, and grant management.
State Agencies/Departments: Government entities responsible for distributing funds, enforcing eligibility, monitoring performance, and reporting on outcomes.
Introduced and Read: HF 4391 was introduced and assigned to the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy committee for first reading (March 16, 2026).
Author Addition: Representative Xiong was added as an author (March 18, 2026). Several co-sponsors were listed:
Next Steps: The bill would proceed through committee hearings, potential amendments, and, if advanced, floor debates and votes in the Minnesota House. Subsequent actions would include the Senate counterpart, fiscal notes, and potential conference committee alignment if there are differences.
The summary reflects the high-level intent to allocate grant funds for economic development and job retention specifically in St. Paul and West St. Paul. Detailed eligibility criteria, grant amounts, performance metrics, reporting requirements, and fund administration would be specified in the enacted bill and any accompanying fiscal note or administrative rules.
As with many targeted economic development bills, outcomes depend on implementation details such as rigorous evaluation, accountability measures, and coordination with local economic development plans.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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