MN SF1479

Establishes a southwestern Minnesota workforce development scholarship pilot program administered by the Southwest Initiative Foundation serving 17 counties and two Indian communities in the region.

Provides scholarships to eligible students enrolled at least half-time in high-demand occupation programs at seven Minnesota West colleges (Canby, Granite Falls, Pipestone, Worthington, Jackson, Luverne, and Marshall).

Requires scholarship recipients to commit to three years of full-time employment with a local employer in a high-demand occupation within the service area; scholarships may be converted to loans if recipients fail to meet requirements.

Provides local employers a tax credit of up to $10,000 or 50 percent of their scholarship contribution to employer-sponsored applicants under Minnesota Statutes chapter 290.

Appropriates $700,000 from the workforce development fund in fiscal year 2024 for the program, with funds available through June 30, 2028; the foundation may use up to 7 percent for administrative costs.