Cities of St. Paul and West St. Paul economic development and job retention efforts for small businesses grants appropriation

This bill appropriates $3 million to the City of St. Paul and $2 million to the City of West St. Paul for small business support. The funds, available through June 2027, must be used to help small businesses employing 10 or fewer full-time equivalent workers. Specifically, the grants cover technical assistance, revolving loans (including no-interest or forgivable loans), and operating expense support. The cities will collaborate with community organizations (West Side Community Organization for St. Paul, Residents of Color Collective for West St. Paul) to administer these programs.