Purpose

Provide state funding to support the renovation and expansion of a Black Arts and Tech Center in St. Paul, with the goal of offering tech training and programming to youth living in poverty.

Main Provisions

• Funding: $2,000,000 from the general fund is appropriated in fiscal year 2026.
• Administration: The money goes to the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
• Grant recipient: A grant will be made to 30000 Feet, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
• Project scope: The grant funds the design, construction, furnishing, and equipment for the renovation and expansion of the Black Arts and Tech Center.
• Facilities to be added: An outdoor performance space, a multidisciplinary art room, and a dance space.
• Purpose of the project: To provide tech training and programming for youth who live in poverty.

Relationship to Existing Law

• This appropriation is in addition to a prior appropriation from Laws 2023, chapter 71, article 1, section 14, subdivision 42.
• The project and funding are subject to Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642, which governs project completion or abandonment timelines.

Funding, Availability, and Oversight

• Source: General fund.
• Availability: The funds are available until the project is completed or abandoned (per 16A.642).
• Oversight: Administered by the commissioner of employment and economic development with the grantee being 30000 Feet.

Significance / What changes

• Creates a new, targeted capital investment for the Black Arts and Tech Center in St. Paul.
• Adds a dedicated $2 million appropriation for the 2026 fiscal year to support renovation, expansion, and new facilities aimed at youth tech training and arts programming.
• Builds on, and adds to, an earlier appropriation to support the same project.

Relevant Terms Black Arts and Tech Center; 30000 Feet; St. Paul; general fund; commissioner of employment and economic development; grant; design; construct; furnish; equip; renovation; expansion; outdoor performance space; multidisciplinary art room; dance space; tech training; programming; youth living in poverty; Laws 2023 chapter 71 article 1 section 14 subdivision 42; Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642; fiscal year 2026; 501(c)(3).