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Moorhead leaders ask state support for Cultural Mall project; committee lays SF907 over
Summary
Witnesses told the Senate committee that the Moorhead Cultural Mall — a multicultural marketplace and gathering space proposed by the Immigrant Development Center — would support immigrant‑owned small businesses and downtown revitalization; legislators asked budget and delivery questions.
Senate File 907, a request to support a Moorhead Cultural Mall led by the Immigrant Development Center, drew multiple in‑person and remote testimonies to the Minnesota Senate Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy on Tuesday. Representatives from Moorhead city government, businesses, regional chambers and immigrant community organizations described the mall as a multicultural hub intended to support small businesses, cultural programming and downtown revitalization.
Senator Sarah Kupak introduced the measure, noting Moorhead's rapid growth and demographic change. Fawzia Adi, executive director of the Immigrant Development Center, told the committee the total project cost is $7 million and the organization is requesting $4 million from the state. "We are working with partners and private fundraising to secure the building and to revitalize our downtown," Adi said. Mayor Shelly Carlson of Moorhead, economic and fundraising partners and residents described local support and the project's anticipated economic and social benefits.
Committee members queried program details and funding mechanics. Senator Green asked whether a specific building had been selected; Kupak said a building has been identified. Committee members also asked about PACE Fundraising's role and whether legacy funds would pay consultant fees; witnesses said local funders paid PACE for the feasibility study and PACE would not take fees from state legacy funds.
Senator Eichhorn raised jurisdictional questions about whether bonding would be an appropriate vehicle for a nonprofit project; Kupak said bonding had been pursued previously but the committee was considering legacy support instead. Several witnesses emphasized private fundraising and local match efforts.
The committee laid Senate File 907 over for possible inclusion in the legacy omnibus bill and requested clearer budget line items and whether the project will be eligible for bonding or legacy funding when it returns for further consideration.
