Purpose

• Provide funding from the general fund to support small-business initiatives through the Small Business Assistance Partnerships Program. The funding is intended to help the program operate and award grants.

Main Provisions

• Funding amounts: $6,425,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $6,425,000 in fiscal year 2027.
• Source and administration: The money comes from the general fund and goes to the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development.
• Program and authority: Funds are for the Small Business Assistance Partnerships Program, as authorized under Minnesota Statutes section 116J.682.
• Grant terms: All grant awards must cover two consecutive years, and grants are awarded in the first year of that two-year period.
• Administrative use: The department may use up to 5% of the appropriation for administrative purposes.
• Nature of funding: These are one-time appropriations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill does not change existing law; it provides a two-year, one-time funding appropriation for the Small Business Assistance Partnerships Program and clarifies grant duration and administrative allowance, under the program’s current statutory framework (Minnesota Statutes § 116J.682).

Implementation and Timing

• The appropriations are for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and are intended to support two-year grant periods funded by this one-time allocation.

Relevant terms - general fund - Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development - Small Business Assistance Partnerships Program - Minnesota Statutes § 116J.682 - fiscal year 2026 - fiscal year 2027 - grants - two consecutive years - administrative purposes - one-time appropriations