Purpose

Provide state funding to support a film industry project in Minnesota. The bill would authorize a one-time grant from the General Fund to help FilmNorth renovate a building in St. Paul into a multiuse facility that supports film production, training, and arts groups.

Main Provisions

• Amount and source: A one-time appropriation of $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund.
• Recipient and administration: The grant would go to FilmNorth, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, through the commissioner of employment and economic development.
• Location: Renovation of the property at 2447 University Avenue West in St. Paul.
• Purpose of the facility: To create a multiuse space that includes:
  • A dedicated workforce training center for film industry jobs
  • An archive for short films, documentaries, experimental films, and narrative films made by Minnesota media artists, accessible to the public
  • A soundstage
  • A community events space
  • Affordable office space for low-income artists

Term and Conditions

• One-time use: This is a one-time appropriation and the funds are available until the project is completed or abandoned.
• Availability rule: The appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642, which governs how the funds can be encumbered and carried forward or terminated.

Significance and Context

• This bill focuses on capital investment to create film industry infrastructure, workforce development, and public access to Minnesota-made media.
• It supports a specific nonprofit organization (FilmNorth) and targets a particular site in St. Paul to house multiple film-related facilities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Establishes a new appropriation for a specific project under the capital investment framework.
• Does not appear to alter other existing statutes beyond creating this one-time funding and project authorization.

Relevant Terms general fund commissioner of employment and economic development grant FilmNorth 501(c)(3) nonprofit renovate / renovation 2447 University Avenue West St. Paul multiuse facility workforce training center film industry jobs archive short films documentaries experimental films narrative films Minnesota media artists accessible to the public soundstage community events space affordable office space low income artists one-time appropriation completion abandoned Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642 capital investment appropriation