[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6664370,"mediaKeyId","2381977-c557844eccfebd8d68e0a4d300cf6b55","parentId",2381977,"title","Senate hearing backs $4 million proposal to boost small manufacturers through Enterprise Minnesota","audioSeconds",431,"startMs",4255000,"endMs",4686000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381977-c557844eccfebd8d68e0a4d300cf6b55&start=4255&end=4686","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381977-c557844eccfebd8d68e0a4d300cf6b55/thumbnail_4255000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6664370/Minnesota/Senate-hearing-backs-4-million-proposal-to-boost-small-manufacturers-through-Enterprise-Minnesota","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664370-4cb04015253ccef729903daf8f62b527/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742171&Signature=Ra8pdEugaI1HAbr4PM53WjeXP2UWxffxdiyLZLw~ysWWChkteLfymRpV9sPXu2AVDLAinOyriB3t6RcfBzR3gpyAryVD89Gi4RgPrYmkHn1TkC0BcgKSXEqhHMHuEiRUmY4KtnkvDmddZl6nWXLAUzpsltZNQjbuAgnYp37t8ZeekoXpJCKenWTGDVvIYWvq9qdVp2KHJ-ISJmNm1Gf3Ou1P-XTFpZyFIZYoDKSxV1-BBFLMtasJy-MWmmBPMZHi5KjBXRbxkKcJzPERfiD979xVa3~lKAElIpgIjS0OCml2kSG7Tyqg27CPIYFGmdGAyg0QIXNFdKr63fciLlXvTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-02-24T20:51:38.807Z","article","Senate File 14-53, presented Feb. 24 by Senator Putnam in the Jobs and Economic Development Committee, would appropriate $4,000,000 to Enterprise Minnesota to support Minnesota’s small manufacturers through two efforts: a Made in Minnesota program to help companies apply technology and automation, and continued funding for a Small Business Growth Acceleration (GAP) fund that aids small manufacturers’ growth and retention.

Why it matters: Testimony emphasized manufacturing’s role in providing high-wage jobs and community stability in Greater Minnesota. Sponsors told the committee Enterprise Minnesota assisted about 80 small manufacturers this past year and that the sector represents roughly 8,000 manufacturers statewide, supporting 325,000 jobs. Enterprise Minnesota’s president and CEO, Bob Kiel, said state investment leverages federal matching dollars and reported historical results of job creation and sales growth from similar investments.

Fiscal and statutory context: Committee fiscal staff said Enterprise Minnesota received $1,000,000 in FY24-25 as one-time funding. The bill before the committee, as discussed, proposes $2,000,000 per year for two programs (total $4,000,000). Counsel noted Enterprise Minnesota is a statutory nonprofit corporation organized in Minnesota Statutes chapter 1160; the bill would rename the Small Business Growth Acceleration Program as the Made in Minnesota program in existing statute language.

Committee members asked about geographic reach and federal match prospects. Kiel said Enterprise Minnesota serves both the seven-county metro and Greater Minnesota and that federal Manufacturing Extension Partnership funds can be drawn down by spending to help manufacturers; the state investment helps unlock federal matching funds. Senator Nelson expressed strong support and asked to be added as a co-sponsor.

Disposition: The committee laid Senate File 14-53 on the table for possible inclusion. No formal vote was recorded at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/24/25","oneSentenceSummary","Senate File 14-53 would provide $4,000,000 to Enterprise Minnesota to expand manufacturing assistance—including a Made in Minnesota technology/automation program and continued growth-acceleration grants for small manufacturers across the state.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6664379,"Committee hears proposal to maintain and expand DEED small-business assistance funding",914,1805000,2719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381977-c557844eccfebd8d68e0a4d300cf6b55&start=1805&end=2719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381977-c557844eccfebd8d68e0a4d300cf6b55/thumbnail_1805000.jpg","/articles/6664379/Minnesota/Committee-hears-proposal-to-maintain-and-expand-DEED-small-business-assistance-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664379-202fb39a87d60f9779b9b0a585aa0732/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742171&Signature=V7GK6TUV~Rh3JRgvDbMf8Ez9PVoogGixUNEhVIzntgNn3DfWYyFh2vZVDU8Ib~lNwkDFbTdcPJBITelEgNbTAPmwAAVcGKcJ9yiR~LSevzMmPPV2AtJ37Hpvyi7hyGYPRIeboBHYmYN9QkZeLhs~koKyg8Hwrjpb3QG3no5v4dGYnbjamYee~H3YsoA~sLtkGubARO0L06~Imb6YoKfK2n8kTYnMuBp5KXcCSwSruv67u2B8uls9MmlKkePHs9wbrsfQCWGhtW2m0VyD-GYwo3BB1hZ6J5q3AzziF7kcYCf5t4lkp2rg4TjzOUIkLhWRHIgI3KU-Pa8Akn93fOh8fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 15-21, presented Feb. 24, would maintain and expand funding for the Small Business Assistance Partnership program administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Sponsor Senator Powell said the program is a 14-year competitive partnership that delivers free technical assistance to small businesses through nonprofit contractors and CDFIs.

Why it matters: DEED’s Small Business Assistance Partnership supports business advising, coaching and financing connections statewide and targets services to veterans, women, BIPOC entrepreneurs, LGBTQ+ business owners and rural businesses. Fiscal staff and sponsors told the committee the proposal would raise the program’s per-year funding from a current base of $2,725,000 to $6,425,000 per year—an increase of $3,700,000 per year, or $7,400,000 over the FY26-27 biennium. The proposal was described in committee as a one-time biennial increase rather than a permanent base increase.

DEED fiscal staff reported the program received additional funding in the FY24-25 biennium, bringing total biennial funding then to $12,850,000. The bill’s sponsor clarified she is requesting a one-time increase across FY26-27 to reach the higher funding level for the upcoming biennium.

Testimony in support: Business owners and nonprofit providers testified to the program’s impacts. Esther Obeidua, owner of a Brooklyn Park health-care temp agency, said she expanded from five employees in 2021 to 50 in 2024 after receiving business guidance and financial-management assistance. Michael Wiernicki of the Scott County Center for Entrepreneurship said his organization received $282,000 under the program last year and reported 83 entrepreneurs served, $2.8 million in outside capital leveraged and 12 full-time jobs created.

Committee discussion focused on accounting and timing of previous appropriations and how the competitive grant process allocates funds between Greater Minnesota and the metro area. DEED program materials, supplied to the committee, show prior increases and a competitive process with required data reporting from nonprofit contractors.

The committee laid Senate File 15-21 on the table for possible inclusion in the jobs omnibus. No formal committee vote was recorded at the hearing.","Senate File 15-21 would maintain and expand funding for DEED’s Small Business Assistance Partnership, proposing a per-year increase from a $2,725,000 base to $6,425,000 per year for FY26-27 (a $3.7M-per-year uplift, or $7.4M over the biennium).",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6664383,"Senate committee hears $1.5 million request to expand services for Asian Minnesotan entrepreneurs",1492,150000,1642000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381977-c557844eccfebd8d68e0a4d300cf6b55&start=150&end=1642","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381977-c557844eccfebd8d68e0a4d300cf6b55/thumbnail_150000.jpg","/articles/6664383/Minnesota/Senate-committee-hears-15-million-request-to-expand-services-for-Asian-Minnesotan-entrepreneurs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664383-3414815ae47defcb819964917e6a8a4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742171&Signature=Pk~CiN-rpLbEZXm-S-KOcfrqWBH7L~kd0n-EBdxYwaA0hhQGx7r2yaaR9RXmjY5jOFB2gYQLb40AjC1Ekzm55W~Werc4ylR4Dr237woXwjsJa12K0qlhkPtewyNXB-wTH4yoqlOkhzbL1sua60DNEamMsmT5ySIFYw5pzjsCTHOvTTRrKS1y-kv-HaFM~eP0io-9rLKHnxlPdmVTvOv1hukMycHcxdzhw6a~7fSokBt6XV0DapNwXJRqa1TZdI~uBvr4Ez0lQCP9G-Snur7EbLVBoGskwk-sxGVvU2vtcZWZpOJ6VMcrN1lSvzkO-v55K5b7IaGzV78mBLawBEPp5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 15-14, introduced in the Senate Committee on Jobs and Economic Development on Feb. 24, would appropriate $1,500,000 in one-time funding to the Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL) to expand microgrants, training and technical assistance for Asian Minnesotan entrepreneurs.

The bill’s author, identified in the hearing as Senator Pappell, said the funding would scale a program launched last year with a $200,000 state investment and would support “network development and direct financial assistance for Asian Minnesotan women entrepreneurs, and Asian-owned businesses in Minnesota.” Chair Champion presided over the hearing.

Why it matters: Committee members said they support targeted small-business assistance but pressed CAAL staff for detail on how the $200,000 appropriation from last year was being spent and what the larger request would fund. Fiscal staff told the committee the $200,000 was appropriated in fiscal year 2025 and made available through June 30, 2026.

CAAL’s executive network director, Tommy Hyung, told the committee that Asian Americans make up 6.5% of Minnesota’s population and that more than 20 languages are spoken within the community. “In 2020, CAAL launched the Stronger Together Fund,” Hyung said, and that microgrant program’s applicants and recipients were predominantly Asian American women. Hyung said many applicants face language, banking and documentation barriers that limit access to financing and that CAAL’s work includes microgrants, interpretation and help with financial documentation.

Business owner Laura Bowler of Laura B Beauty LLC described receiving a microgrant and technical assistance that helped her buy makeup supplies, attend trade events and expand her service offerings. “Calla support gave me foundational knowledge about running a business,” Bowler said.

Committee questions focused on the unused status of the $200,000 appropriation. CAAL representatives said the organization has been conducting substantial front-end technical assistance and outreach to ensure applicants are eligible and can complete applications; as a result, they reported the $200,000 had not yet been regranted but that $90,000 would be used for regranting and the remainder for administration, interpreters, consultants and workshops. CAAL told the committee it intends to award six $15,000 grants from that funding once contract and administrative work is complete.

Senators asked for estimates of program reach if the $1.5 million were approved. CAAL estimated that cohorts would require multiple language interpreters and that grantee organizations would participate in a series of four cohort workshops. Senator Pappell told the committee that, as of the hearing, CAAL had received roughly 121 applicants for the current round and that only six grants were currently planned from the existing appropriation.

The committee laid Senate File 15-14 on the table for possible inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill.

What’s next: The bill was laid over for possible inclusion; no formal vote was recorded at the hearing.","Senate File 15-14 would provide $1.5 million in one-time state funding to the Coalition of Asian American Leaders for grants, technical assistance and translation services aimed at Asian Minnesotan entrepreneurs, with committee members asking for details on prior $200,000 appropriation use and the program's reach.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6664374,"Bill to add employer reporting of no-shows draws debate over fraud portal and verification",1449,2768000,4217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381977-c557844eccfebd8d68e0a4d300cf6b55&start=2768&end=4217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381977-c557844eccfebd8d68e0a4d300cf6b55/thumbnail_2768000.jpg","/articles/6664374/Minnesota/Bill-to-add-employer-reporting-of-no-shows-draws-debate-over-fraud-portal-and-verification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664374-7fdb3f1f639998add063889a4909f92c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742171&Signature=WQF1aXlL6a-doXx4rtVqIv7exeFmk3xHLyOeqE48nAoliQIKShQZKY1IpLoZhpmePuUoTR30lIVfTcZ0mbR~nFIcxDj95gZFvhgg3SLvv4JZ9goybLp3WirmveZ7Tu4TYnfptLCjx0F2GEkCUg~bivx~APnbldV4KrR14TujCRwxNs~jrXZ9N2RhpFcAzTDX47NuVUr0jMjJzXZta2aZyAkwTKu0V5oUXNx5OFtah-d-RHjoaN942Rov~GH4iiYM2NBzAJt6BRl22n-uDaxPlIYkjuN7qQBET7lzm9d1OH8m0Ui~U2h44oTJWx-09s4iKneGki7cvATXhV1TAlQmwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 15-83, introduced by Senator Green and heard Feb. 24, would direct DEED to modify or use its existing online systems so employers can report instances where job candidates accept interviews or offers and then fail to show or otherwise refuse work. Sponsor Senator Green said the measure is aimed at reducing the administrative and financial burden placed on small employers when candidates repeatedly fail to appear.

Testimony: Brad Fitzgerald, chief financial officer of Occupational Development Center, testified that his nonprofit employer experienced 17 “no call, no show” interviews between Dec. 1 and Jan. 20 that cost nearly 80 staff hours; four employees accepted offers and then failed to appear within days, accounting for an estimated 52 hours and $3,132 in direct, non‑labor costs by the organization. Fitzgerald and sponsors argued a consolidated, employer-accessible reporting mechanism would let DEED identify patterns and allow employers to avoid repeated costs.

DEED’s government relations director, Devin Bowdre, told the committee DEED already provides a fraud-reporting portal and an employer account mechanism where employers can raise issues with specific claimants. Bowdre emphasized that fraud determinations are fact-specific and managed under Minnesota Statute 268.182; DEED staff said they investigate reports and that not every no‑show or missed contact is fraud under statute.

Committee reaction: Committee members broadly agreed the issue of repeated no-shows and job refusals is a problem for employers. Several raised concerns that labeling such reports as “fraud” could be inappropriate when facts are incomplete and that a public, unverified reporting system could harm jobseekers’ prospects if inaccurate reports are visible to future employers. DEED staff warned the bill’s language could oblige the agency to publish lists of unverified employer claims, creating potential due-process and administrative burdens.

Sponsor response and disposition: Senator Green said the bill’s purpose is to create a database to flag repeated problematic behavior so employers can avoid wasting resources; he said he would accept an oral amendment to remove the word “fraud” if that would advance the proposal. The bill was laid on the table for possible inclusion; DEED and committee members indicated the measure requires additional drafting to address verification, confidentiality and process concerns before it could move forward.

No committee vote was recorded at the hearing.","Senate File 15-83 would require DEED to provide employer-facing reporting on applicants who fail to appear for interviews or refuse offers; DEED staff said an online fraud-reporting portal already exists and cautioned that submitted incidents require fact-specific investigation before any fraud determination.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6664365,"Propel Nonprofits requests $4 million to continue statewide nonprofit capacity-building program",418,5167000,5585000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381977-c557844eccfebd8d68e0a4d300cf6b55&start=5167&end=5585","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381977-c557844eccfebd8d68e0a4d300cf6b55/thumbnail_5167000.jpg","/articles/6664365/Minnesota/Propel-Nonprofits-requests-4-million-to-continue-statewide-nonprofit-capacity-building-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664365-6f4a52715568f6c90ad0a97a5fa06f7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742171&Signature=YPfOKIVShyISxUdmLvE9ysjYcRiK-5COXYOKWaKJKFNY8O0wzR8AAupYXu4e4eQBHErYHeLQJZXQVYVLdZuQ1lqql4WKgJhexTHv1orSMbvDfOBz5vpL2I5ZEAqu7Kug-Vov7e-J7xi26hhOAXNa1pGYGwMr9x6lKJb~3opd501LhmK9TxTMe8gbZZHNWOcs2iugwWpVcsUIoUooxrwBlX3HjDcC29TKN~tzvunEyzNCD7~YhMfcvdBnB530aMuCgdB2yaEPlxpdG0mhD-0v3Wiht06lCLaK-JpAEFlTXVUJTRHL8QFWfEgcacWcrzTxy0cVHzpXObduGwI7MhxVuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 16-24, presented Feb. 24 by Senator Putnam, would appropriate $4,000,000 over the FY26-27 biennium to Propel Nonprofits to continue a nonprofit capacity-building program that provides training, consulting, capital access and accounting assistance to community-based nonprofits across Minnesota.

Background and testimony: Sponsor Senator Putnam and Propel’s chief advancement officer, Garrett Backus, described the program’s history: prior appropriations included $1,000,000 in 2017–2019, $500,000 in 2019–2021, $2,000,000 in 2022–2023 and $4,000,000 from the general fund in FY24-25. Backus told the committee Propel serves more than 600 nonprofits annually, and the program has helped organizations strengthen financial procedures, accept state contracts and create paid positions.

Committee concerns: Committee fiscal staff said the current request is for $4,000,000 over the FY26-27 biennium from the general fund. During questioning, committee members raised concerns about permitting up to 10% of those funds for Propel administrative costs; sponsors and the chair acknowledged sensitivity around administrative allocations and said that accountability and reporting requirements would govern state contracts.

Disposition: The bill was laid on the table for possible inclusion in the jobs omnibus. Committee staff and sponsor indicated further fiscal detail and language clarifications would be provided for the omnibus process.","Senate File 16-24 would appropriate $4 million over the FY26-27 biennium to Propel Nonprofits to fund capacity building, financial systems and board development for community-based nonprofits; proponents highlighted prior rounds and measurable outcomes from 2017–2024.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate hearing backs $4 million proposal to boost small manufacturers through Enterprise Minnesota

Committee hears proposal to maintain and expand DEED small-business assistance funding

Senate committee hears $1.5 million request to expand services for Asian Minnesotan entrepreneurs

Bill to add employer reporting of no-shows draws debate over fraud portal and verification

Propel Nonprofits requests $4 million to continue statewide nonprofit capacity-building program