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Senate hearing backs $4 million proposal to boost small manufacturers through Enterprise Minnesota
Summary
Senate File 14-53 would provide $4,000,000 to Enterprise Minnesota to expand manufacturing assistance—including a Made in Minnesota technology/automation program and continued growth-acceleration grants for small manufacturers across the state.
Senate File 14-53, presented Feb. 24 by Senator Putnam in the Jobs and Economic Development Committee, would appropriate $4,000,000 to Enterprise Minnesota to support Minnesota’s small manufacturers through two efforts: a Made in Minnesota program to help companies apply technology and automation, and continued funding for a Small Business Growth Acceleration (GAP) fund that aids small manufacturers’ growth and retention.
Why it matters: Testimony emphasized manufacturing’s role in providing high-wage jobs and community stability in Greater Minnesota. Sponsors told the committee Enterprise Minnesota assisted about 80 small manufacturers this past year and that the sector represents roughly 8,000 manufacturers statewide, supporting 325,000 jobs. Enterprise Minnesota’s president and CEO, Bob Kiel, said state investment leverages federal matching dollars and reported historical results of job creation and sales growth from similar investments.
Fiscal and statutory context: Committee fiscal staff said Enterprise Minnesota received $1,000,000 in FY24-25 as one-time funding. The bill before the committee, as discussed, proposes $2,000,000 per year for two programs (total $4,000,000). Counsel noted Enterprise Minnesota is a statutory nonprofit corporation organized in Minnesota Statutes chapter 1160; the bill would rename the Small Business Growth Acceleration Program as the Made in Minnesota program in existing statute language.
Committee members asked about geographic reach and federal match prospects. Kiel said Enterprise Minnesota serves both the seven-county metro and Greater Minnesota and that federal Manufacturing Extension Partnership funds can be drawn down by spending to help manufacturers; the state investment helps unlock federal matching funds. Senator Nelson expressed strong support and asked to be added as a co-sponsor.
Disposition: The committee laid Senate File 14-53 on the table for possible inclusion. No formal vote was recorded at the hearing.
