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Committee hears Women Venture pitch for $8 million to support childcare and food‑and‑ag small businesses
Summary
Witnesses for Women Venture told the committee the nonprofit’s training, microloan and shared‑services model has expanded across Minnesota and that an $8 million request would accelerate outreach to childcare providers and food‑ag entrepreneurs.
The committee on March 28 heard Representative Katizia Wootun’s House File 2518, a proposal that would direct $8 million to Women Venture to expand training, grants and loans for childcare and food‑and‑ag small businesses statewide.
Leanne Rastichak, chief executive officer of Women Venture, told the committee the organization is a community development financial institution and a U.S. Small Business Administration Women’s Business Center that already serves clients in 80 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. She said Women Venture’s initial state investment had outpaced projections: nearly 800 clients served, more than 3,400 service hours delivered, and more than 2,200 jobs created or sustained.
Rastichak and Representative Katizia Wootun told members the proposal would expand services that help childcare providers improve business operations, access capital, and participate in a shared‑services model for accounting and human resources. The program also supports food and agricultural businesses across the supply chain, Rastichak said.
Tyra Payer, an Indigenous food entrepreneur who testified, described using Women Venture services to move into a commercial kitchen, buy equipment, and obtain a wholesale license. “This support is helping me scale my business while staying engaged in the local food system,” Payer said.
Representative Wootun framed the bill as workforce and economic development: better‑supported childcare and small businesses help parents work, stabilize main‑street economies and expand employment options for women and nonbinary entrepreneurs.
The committee laid House File 2518 over for future consideration.
