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Neighborhood Development Center requests state support to expand entrepreneur training and incubators; committee lays House File 1246 over
Summary
The Neighborhood Development Center asked the committee for funding to sustain entrepreneur training, technical assistance, small-business loans and incubator operations; committee members praised the incubator model and laid the bill over for further consideration.
Rene Dossman, president and CEO of the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC), described a four-pillar approach — entrepreneur training and workshops, small-business lending through its CDFI, business services and technical assistance, and affordable commercial real estate/incubators — and requested $2.25 million over two years to expand those services, strengthen financial-management assistance for entrepreneurs, support Greater Minnesota partners and market a new cybersecurity incubator on Saint Paul’s East Side.
Dossman said NDC-assisted businesses employ about 3,250 people, generate approximately $10.6 million in combined annual income and sales tax, and increase annual household income for participants by about $25,000. NDC asked for $800,000 to support core entrepreneur services, additional funding for financial-management technical assistance, $75,000 for the cybersecurity incubator’s marketing and operations, and pass-through support for Greater Minnesota partners.
Dalton Outlaw, an NDC entrepreneur who owns Element Fitness and Outlaw Development, told the committee NDC provided loans and mentorship that enabled his expansion into affordable housing development and business growth.
Committee members praised the incubator model and encouraged NDC to coordinate with state grant programs if the Legislature moves toward competitive grant-making rather than direct appropriations. House File 1246 was laid over for possible inclusion; members signaled support but took no appropriation vote in committee.
