HF4857

Purpose

Provide funding through a capital investment appropriation to support a new community center on the White Earth Reservation. The project aims to offer space for health, wellness, and community gatherings for both Tribal and non-Tribal members.

Main Provisions

• Funding amount and source: Appropriates 5,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development.
• Recipient and purpose: A grant to the White Earth Band of Ojibwe to support design, site preparation (including demolition), construction, engineering, furnishing, and equipping of a community center on the White Earth Reservation.
• Beneficiaries: The center will serve health, wellness, and community gathering needs for both Tribal and non-Tribal members of the public.
• Timing and nature of funding: This is a one-time appropriation and remains available until the project is completed or abandoned, subject to Minnesota law (Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642).

Significance and Impact

• Expands capacity for community services by providing a dedicated space for health and wellness activities and public gatherings on the White Earth Reservation.
• Uses a partnership model where a state agency (the commissioner of employment and economic development) provides the grant to a Native tribal government (White Earth Band of Ojibwe) for project development and related costs.

Timeline and Oversight

• Timeframe: Funds are allocated for fiscal year 2027.
• Oversight: Governed by state capital investment processes and the referenced statutory provision (16A.642) governing the availability and use of the funds.

Relationships and Context

• Type of investment: Capital investment appropriation.
• Government roles: State of Minnesota via the general fund and the commissioner of employment and economic development; tribal government (White Earth Band of Ojibwe) as the grant recipient and project lead.

Relevant Terms White Earth Reservation White Earth Band of Ojibwe community center capital investment appropriation general fund commissioner of employment and economic development grant design site preparation demolition construction engineering furnishing equipping health wellness community gathering Tribal members non-Tribal members one-time appropriation Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642 fiscal year 2027