S.F. No. 3223 Summary

• Establishes a Shakopee area workforce development scholarship pilot program administered by the Shakopee Chamber Foundation for students in Minnesota state colleges and universities.

• Eligible students must be enrolled at least half-time in Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board-approved programs in advanced manufacturing, health care, law enforcement, hospitality, or other high-demand occupations.

• Scholarship recipients must commit to three years of full-time employment within the foundation's service area in a qualifying occupation, or the scholarship converts to a repayable loan.

• Creates a local employer tax credit equal to employer scholarship contributions matched under the program, effective for taxable years 2024-2028, with refunds available for excess credits.

• Appropriates $700,000 from the workforce development fund in fiscal year 2024 as a one-time grant to the Shakopee Chamber Foundation, with administrative costs capped at 10 percent of grant funds.