Purpose

This bill would provide a one-time financial grant to support the development of a community engagement center in Duluth. The funds come from Minnesota's general fund and are intended to assist Union Gospel Mission Inc., a nonprofit organization, with planning and building a facility to serve people experiencing homelessness.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation amount: A one-time grant in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund.
• Administering agency: The Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development distributes the grant and oversees the project.
• Recipient: Union Gospel Mission Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
• Project scope: To predesign, design, construct, furnish, and equip a community engagement center in Duluth.
• Facilities included: A commercial kitchen, warming center, indoor and outdoor space for guests, health service facilities, classrooms, offices, and laundry and hygiene facilities.
• Availability of funds: The appropriation remains available until the project is completed or abandoned, in accordance with Minnesota law (Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a one-time capital investment appropriation to fund a specific homelessness-related facility in Duluth.
• Shifts administration of the grant to the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development and ties the funding to a private nonprofit recipient.
• Defines project completion or abandonment as conditions affecting the availability of funds, consistent with state capital funding rules (16A.642).

Practical Impact

• Provides a dedicated, time-limited funding source to build a center aimed at supporting people experiencing homelessness.
• Establishes facility components that may expand or enhance services such as shelter, meals, health services, hygiene, education, and guest programming.

Relevant Terms general fund; Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development; Union Gospel Mission Inc.; community engagement center; Duluth; homelessness/people experiencing homelessness; predesign; design; construct; furnish; equip; commercial kitchen; warming center; indoor space; outdoor space; health service facilities; classrooms; offices; laundry facilities; hygiene facilities; one-time appropriation; fiscal year 2026; project completion; project abandonment; Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642; grant; 501(c)(3).