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Conference committee considers reissuing $200,000 relocation RFP for meat cutters; staff to follow up
Summary
Members discussed a senate request to reissue a 2024 appropriation RFP intended for business relocation grants for meat cutters after limited initial response; DEED said it had advertised the opportunity and recommended against a reissue absent a legislative extension, and the committee set the item aside for follow-up.
The Jobs Conference Committee discussed a senate request to reissue a 2024 appropriation request-for-proposals (RFP) that allocated $200,000 for relocation grants to eligible businesses such as meat cutters and butcher shops. Chair Champion said the provision came from Senator Hur and that the appropriation was included in the 2024 bill.
The issue matters because staff and legislators said the initial solicitation received little or no eligible responses, and sponsors want broader outreach so eligible businesses have a chance to apply. Representative Richard Baker asked why the state would retry the RFP if DEED had already run it and received no eligible applicants.
Commissioner Matt Verlick of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) told the committee DEED had advertised and promoted the opportunity through partners but that staff recommended against reissuing the notice within the available timeframe before the money would expire. "We felt good about the efforts we made to move forward," Verlick said, while acknowledging Senator Hur had ideas for broader outreach if the legislature extended the funding.
Committee members pressed whether outreach, language barriers, placement of notices or timing might have limited responses. Senator Johan asked whether only two or three qualified businesses existed; staff said that larger separate appropriation buckets existed and that the $200,000 item was distinct.
The committee did not adopt any formal change. Members agreed to gather more information: staff was asked to contact Senator Hur and DEED to clarify outreach plans and whether the legislature should extend the appropriation and reissue the RFP. The item was set aside for later consideration and follow-up; no motion or vote was recorded.
The discussion underscored a wider procedural point raised by members: when an agency advertises a small targeted appropriation and gets limited response, sponsors may request legislative relief to expand notice or extend timelines rather than allow funds to lapse.
