Empowering small Minnesota communities program establishment

This bill establishes the "Empowering Small Minnesota Communities Program" through the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents. It allocates $2.5 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to provide direct support to small local governments (populations under 15,000) or collaborative groups of such communities. The program funds infrastructure project analysis, planning, and design assistance - prioritizing communities lacking capacity to apply for state or federal grants - and requires incorporating climate resilience and cross-sector project coordination. Funds must be used for activities like scoping, predesign, and sustainability planning through university partnerships, with program details and financials published online.