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Lawmakers hear broad support for cooperative development program but ask DBEDT about staffing and grant size

Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism (joint with Education) · February 18, 2026

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Summary

Advocates backed SB 2716 to create a cooperative development program in DBEDT offering grants (anticipated $10,000–$50,000) and technical assistance; DBEDT said the bill includes a $750,000 appropriation for FY26–27 but would need 2–3 staff and one to two years for rules and setup.

SB 2716 would establish a cooperative development program in the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to provide cost‑sharing grants and technical assistance to local cooperatives. Multiple cooperative leaders testified in strong support, describing barriers—legal costs, governance design and…

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