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Bill would expand Latino Economic Development Center capacity for statewide small-business and workforce services
Summary
Senate File 922 would appropriate $2 million per year (FY 2026 and 2027) to the Latino Economic Development Center to expand capital, lending and training services across Minnesota's regional labor markets; the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion.
Senate File 922 would appropriate $2 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) to expand statewide business advising, training and lending, including support for emerging farmers and land acquisition.
Senator Hurst (sponsor) said LEDC has helped hundreds of micro-entrepreneurs since 2003 and that the organization is a federally certified Community Development Financial Institution. Executive Director Alma Flores told the committee LEDC served more than 800 aspiring entrepreneurs and helped over 20 businesses access capital last year, and that the bill would expand programming into additional regional labor markets and focus on training in high-demand occupations, from health care to manufacturing and childcare.
Flores described services including one-on-one advising, workforce training, lending for working capital and land acquisition, and assistance tailored to entrepreneurs who face language and cultural barriers. Senator Papp (commenting) praised LEDC's trust relationships with communities and urged support.
The committee discussed whether funding is intended as a base appropriation; the chair clarified the committee did not have budget room to place funds in the base and suggested sponsors consider other vehicles. Senator Hurst and Flores asked for committee consideration and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
