MN HF3458

Mille Lacs County must develop and operate an economic relief program for businesses adversely affected by declining walleye fishing, offering grants, interest-free or forgivable loans up to $100,000 per business per year, and tourism promotion.

Eligible businesses must be located in specified cities and townships in Crow Wing, Aitkin, or Mille Lacs Counties, document a reduction in gross receipts since 2010, and operate in tourism-related industries including accommodation, restaurants, bars, retail, museums, and similar sectors.

County boards of Aitkin, Crow Wing, and Mille Lacs Counties may grant property tax abatements for taxes payable in 2016 on eligible property classifications for businesses meeting qualification requirements.

Eligible properties located in the economic relief area are eligible for a refund of state general levy taxes payable in 2016, with applications due by December 31, 2016.

$5,000,000 is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2017 to the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development as a onetime grant to Mille Lacs County for the relief program.