Technology (Small Business)

SF 4008 appropriates $1.2 million from the state general fund to the Neighborhood Development Center for a new facility called "The Ruckus," designed to support entrepreneurs moving from startup to substantial revenue growth. The funds will cover developing three specific programs: a technology/business accelerator for scaling ideas, a beauty/wellness production program for compliant product launches, and a retail readiness initiative for consumer brands. Equipment, program design, and partnerships with industry and capital providers will be funded using this one-time appropriation, which expires June 30, 2028. This directly affects the Neighborhood Development Center and local entrepreneurs seeking structured growth support.

SF 545 allocates $4.5 million in state funds to create a new entrepreneur innovation center in Minneapolis' Lake Street Corridor. The center will provide dedicated space for low-income business owners to develop their ventures, including a technology accelerator, wellness incubator with production kitchen, and community meeting areas. The funding covers design, construction, equipment, and furnishings for the facility, with the project to be completed by fiscal year 2026. This is a one-time appropriation for the Neighborhood Development Center as the grant recipient.

HF 2203 appropriates $4.5 million from the general fund for the Neighborhood Development Center to design, build, and equip a new entrepreneur innovation center in Minneapolis' Lake Street Corridor. The center will provide dedicated space for low-income entrepreneurs to develop businesses, including a technology accelerator, wellness incubator with a kitchen, community meeting areas, and retail space. This one-time funding for the 2026 budget year is specifically intended to support economic development in underserved communities. The project must be completed or abandoned within the timeframe allowed by Minnesota law.

HF 1246 appropriates $2.25 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) in Minnesota. The funds support NDC's small business programs, including training, lending, business services, and real estate initiatives. Money may also assist organizations outside the seven-county metro area with technical assistance and grants, provide one-on-one entrepreneur support, and fund a cybersecurity center's operations and marketing. This is a one-time appropriation, with unspent funds carrying over to the second year.

This bill appropriates $2.25 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) to support small business programs. The funds will directly assist small businesses and entrepreneurs through training, lending, business services, real estate initiatives, and technical assistance - both within Minnesota’s seven-county metro area and outside it. The grant also covers one-on-one entrepreneur support and operations for a cybersecurity center. Unspent funds from the first year may carry over to the second year. This is a one-time appropriation with no further funding authorization.

SF 661 establishes a pilot program providing free information technology assistance to Minnesota small businesses, defined using the federal Small Business Act standard. The program offers computer technical support for software, hardware, networks, websites, and internet use through a dedicated hotline and website, staffed 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. It supplements existing small business assistance services and requires the commissioner to report on participation, service hours, and demographics by January 2027. The program is funded by a one-time $2026 fiscal year appropriation to the small business assistance office.