MN SF3609

Appropriates $225,000 as a one-time allocation in fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development for grants to secondary career and technical education programs offering meat cutting and butchery instruction

Individual grants capped at $75,000 per recipient, with up to 10% allowed for faculty training; eligible expenses include equipment, facility renovations, and instructor training

Priority given to applicants coordinating with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities meat cutting programs or local industry partners

Commissioner must submit a report by January 15, 2028 to legislative committees detailing grants awarded by county and unfulfilled requests, with a follow-up report due November 1, 2028 if additional grants are awarded

Department of Employment and Economic Development may partner with Department of Agriculture through interagency agreement to administer the program