The Minnesota Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Committee, chaired by Senator Jeremy Miller (R-Winona), presented its 2018 supplemental budget bill to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration. The bill provides funding for a number of job creation, economic development, and workforce training initiatives, as well as an appropriation for Border-to-Border Broadband expansion. The bill was adopted into a larger supplemental budget bill covering every issue area.
“This bill focuses on public-private initiatives that promote job growth, economic development and workforce training opportunities for Minnesotans,” said Senator Miller. “People in too many areas of Minnesota are forced to conduct their daily business as if it were 1998 rather than 2018 simply due to lack of high speed internet; we are expanding the Border-to-Border Broadband program to bring this critical infrastructure to more communities. There will also be more grant funding available to help communities pay for land acquisition, infrastructure, and other economic redevelopment tasks. Minnesota’s economy is in great shape; our bill is going to help make sure every area of the state has an opportunity to benefit.”
“I am very appreciative of work the committee did this session,” added Senator Miller. “Our committee prides itself on working across the aisle on bipartisan ideas to help spur economic growth, job creation, and workforce development throughout the state, and that attitude showed in our final bill. It is a package that everyone can be proud of.”
The notable finance and policy provisions of the bill include:
- $15 million for the Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program to expand critical high speed internet access to underserved and unserved Minnesota communities
- Reallocates $2 million to Redevelopment Grant and Demolition Loan programs to help communities redevelop blighted industrial, residential, and commercial sites
- Increases Youth Skills Training Program grants
- Extension for a pilot project for workforce development among American Indian populations
- Improves accessibility requirements for public buildings