MN SF3132

Creates a competitive grant program administered by the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development for eligible employers to hire new employees or increase hours of existing employees.

Limits grants to $20,000 per employee per year and requires employers to retain hired employees for at least one year before receiving grant funds.

Eligible employers include state agencies, political subdivisions, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and businesses with 20 or fewer employees.

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the workforce development fund in fiscal year 2017 for the grant program, with additional unspecified appropriation for program administration and publicity.

Requires the Commissioner to conduct a statewide survey of public and private employers to identify unmet workforce needs by job type, industry, geographic area, and required worker skills, with results reported to legislature.