Purpose

Provide one-time funding to support the creation of a community center in Ramsey County. The center would be used by Hnub Tshiab Hmong Women Achieving Together to help Hmong women and girls through educational and leadership development programs, while promoting cultural knowledge, identity, and social change.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation amount: $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2026.
• Source and recipient: money is allocated to the commissioner of employment and economic development to grant to Hnub Tshiab Hmong Women Achieving Together.
• Use of funds: to acquire property and to predesign, design, construct, renovate, furnish, and equip a community center in Ramsey County.
• Purpose of the center: to provide educational and leadership development programs, strengthen cultural knowledge and identity, and support social change to improve the lives of Hmong women and girls.
• One-time funding: this is a single appropriation and remains available until the project is completed or abandoned.
• Oversight/limitations: the appropriation is subject to Minnesota statutes, specifically section 16A.642.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a targeted, one-time capital investment appropriation to fund a specific community project (no broad changes to ongoing programs or statutes described here).
• The grant and project must operate within the referenced statutory framework (Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642).

Implementation and Timeframe

• Administration: money administered as a grant through the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
• Location: Ramsey County.
• Timeframe: available in fiscal year 2026 and until project completion or abandonment.

Expected Outcomes

• Acquisition and development of a new community center in Ramsey County.
• Delivery of educational and leadership development programming for Hmong women and girls.
• Strengthened cultural knowledge and identity within the Hmong community.
• Positive social impact leading to improvements in the lives of Hmong women and girls.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

• Focused investment in a specific community and demographic group (Hmong women and girls).
• Onetime nature of funding means long-term funding and sustainability would rely on future decisions or additional funding.
• Project completion and ongoing operation may depend on adherence to statutory requirements and project milestones.

Relevant Terms - Hnub Tshiab Hmong Women Achieving Together - Ramsey County - community center - educational and leadership development programs - cultural knowledge and identity - social change - one-time appropriation - capital investment - grant - Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) - acquire property - predesign, design, construct, renovate, furnish, equip - Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642