MN HF4522

Establishes a pandemic relief grant program administered by the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development to provide grants through partner organizations (Minnesota Initiative Foundations and certified nonprofit lenders) to COVID-19 impacted businesses.

Eligible businesses must have primary operations in Minnesota, be at least 50% Minnesota-owned, employ 50 or fewer full-time workers, demonstrate 2022 financial hardship from COVID-19, and operate in specified industries including food service, personal services, indoor entertainment, fitness centers, and wellness instruction.

Grants of up to $25,000 per business are awarded through randomized selection after a 10-day application period, with funds usable for payroll, rent, utilities, and similar operating expenses since January 1, 2022, but not for refinancing existing debt.

Minimum allocations required: $15,000,000 for businesses with six or fewer employees; $10,000,000 for minority-owned businesses; $2,500,000 each for veteran-owned and women-owned businesses; equal funding to seven-county metro area and greater Minnesota organizations.

Appropriates $100,000,000 from the general fund as a one-time appropriation; all unspent funds must be returned to the general fund by December 31, 2022, with partner organization reports due by January 31, 2023.