Posts by ennelson@flaherty-hood.com
New housing package introduced
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session On Wednesday, lawmakers held a press conference to unveil a package of housing bills they’re calling “Say Yes to Housing.” These separate but interrelated bills are intended to tackle different perceived issues with zoning in Minnesota cities. There are also two separate bills aimed…
Read MoreDEED announces prequalification process for $652 million in federal broadband funding
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that the agency’s proposed map of eligible locations to receive high-speed broadband through the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding allocation has been formally accepted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.…
Read MoreChild Care Economic Development Grants Announced
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session Congratulations to members and your partners who were awarded this second round of Child Care Economic Development Grants funding to support the startup or expansion of child care slots! I hope you saw that 84% of the funds will go to Greater Minnesota, estimated…
Read MoreMinnesota Expanding Opportunity Fund Program
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session The Minnesota Expanding Opportunity Fund Program is a state-funded program providing low-interest loans to Minnesota nonprofit corporations, Tribal economic development entities, and community development financial institutions. Lenders can receive up to $600,000 at one time to provide loans to the small businesses they serve.…
Read MoreUpcoming deadlines for 2025 Housing Tax Credit Round 2
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session Minnesota Housing is currently accepting applications for 2025 Housing Tax Credit Round 2, as well as the HUD Section 811 Project-Based Rental Assistance Program. Important Dates: Thursday, January 30, 2025: pre-applications for HUD Section 811 PRA are due via the Multifamily Customer Portal by…
Read MoreDEED: Minnesota jobs and labor force grow again in December
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session DEED announced today that Minnesota employers added more than 4,000 jobs and the state’s workforce grew by 3,300 jobseekers in December. The state unemployment rate decreased very slightly to 3.3%, and the labor force participation rate remained steady. Read the full press release on…
Read MoreThe State of Rural 2025 now available
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session The Center for Rural Policy and Development has released The State of Rural 2025, their annual report on various economic and demographic indicators in rural Minnesota. The report covers population growth, migration, and demographic shifts, economic and workforce trends, and compares current data to…
Read More2025 Local Housing Trust Fund Grants Program RFP
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session Minnesota Housing has announced the application period and other details for its 2025 Local Housing Trust Fund Grants Program, which provides funding to local governments seeking to invest in affordable housing for their communities. The Local Housing Trust Fund Grants Program was established in…
Read MoreGovernor Walz releases budget proposal for FY2026-2027
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session Today, Governor Walz held a press conference to release his budget proposal, calling it “responsible” and highlighting features aimed at balancing the budget. The November 2024 budget forecast showed higher-than-expected spending and a structural deficit leading into the FY 2026-2027 biennium, ultimately leading to…
Read MoreGMNP announces 2025 policy priorities
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session The GMNP 2025 legislative platform renews the Partnership’s focus on ensuring Greater Minnesota communities and businesses have the resources they need to thrive. In 2025, the GMNP will work to secure funding for critical housing, workforce development, child care, and broadband programs, and push…
Read More