MN HF2592

Mille Lacs County must develop and operate an economic relief program to assist businesses adversely affected by the early closing of the 2015 walleye fishing season on Mille Lacs Lake on August 3, 2015.

Eligible businesses must be located in Aitkin, Crow Wing, or Mille Lacs County; document at least 5 percent reduction in gross receipts compared to 2014; and operate in specified industries including lodging, restaurants, bars, recreation, retail, and museums.

Relief program may provide grants up to $100,000 per business per year, interest-free loans, or tourism promotion funding.

$12,000,000 annually from in-lieu sales tax revenue must be transferred to the general fund for fiscal years 2017-2019, with $5.2-6 million appropriated annually to fund the economic relief program and $6 million annually for property tax abatement aid.

County boards of Aitkin, Crow Wing, and Mille Lacs Counties may grant property tax abatements for taxes payable in 2016-2018 to qualifying businesses, not to exceed the percentage reduction in gross receipts compared to 2014.

$800,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2017 for the city of Isle to replace the Malone Island Bridge and accompanying water and sewer lines.