Racing Commission approves aftercare grant calendar, hears rescue-group presentations on slaughter pipeline and retraining programs

At its Jan. 16 meeting in St. Paul, the Minnesota Racing Commission voted to approve the Aftercare Committee—s recommendation to start the 2025 aftercare grant process and to proceed with a funding plan that uses money from multiple racing accounts.

The commission approved a funding plan that staff said would draw $135,000 from the Breeders Fund account, apply $25,000 from racing fines and hold $5,000 in reserve for emergencies. Staff will post a request for proposals March 1; letters of intent will be due April 15; full applications will be due May 1; staff site visits will follow and the full commission is scheduled to make final grant awards at the July meeting so funds can be distributed in August.

The vote to accept the Aftercare Committee—s recommendation carried by voice vote (commissioners recorded five in favor). Commissioners who asked questions or commented during the item included Commissioners Deaton and Goodman; staff presenting background included Mr. Gustafson and Dr. Hovda.

Why it matters: commissioners and presenters said accelerating the grant calendar will push money into rescue, rehabilitation and retraining programs faster than in prior…