HF85 Summary

• Establishes the Metropolitan Area Redevelopment Corporation as a public corporation and political subdivision in seven-county metropolitan area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington) to address adverse impacts of racial discrimination through economic development, housing, and small business resources.

• Creates nine-member board appointed by Executive Council, consisting exclusively of people of color or Indigenous persons, with at least five members from areas affected by civil unrest between May 26-June 10, 2020 (until December 31, 2025); members receive $10,000 annual compensation.

• Authorizes corporation to award grants to nonprofit organizations led by people of color or Indigenous persons (at least 51 percent staff and board composition) with at least 40 percent of annual funds directed to organizations with budgets under $500,000 for projects including business incubators, property acquisition, and organizational capacity building.

• Requires development of short-term and long-term redevelopment plans through community engagement using art and culture, with public investment as seed money for public-private partnerships.

• Mandates annual reporting to legislature by March 1 and expires December 31, 2031.