GMNP Update - July 11, 2025

GMNP UPDATE - JULY 2025

Dear GMNP Members,

This is the first newsletter of the 2025 legislative interim! During the interim, we'll send out a monthly email to keep you appraised of funding and engagement opportunities, as well as updates about key issues and programs.

Congratulations on reaching the interim, and thank you again to everyone who helped build and further our advocacy efforts this session. This was a challenging session with early drama and special elections in both the House and the Senate that slowed down work at the Capitol. The fiscal forecast created even more challenges, with a small surplus projected for the 2026-27 biennium, but a projected $6 billion deficit in the next biennium that set the tone for difficult budget decisions. The Governor and the legislature set out budget proposals that would reduce spending and head off a future deficit, including proposals that would have eliminated or dramatically reduced funding for key economic development programs. As a result, the GMNP spent significant time protecting key programs from cuts and educating lawmakers about why these programs are important to healthy regional economies. The legislative session culminated in a special session roughly a month ago that passed the remainder of the bills for the state's $66 billion budget for the 2026-27 biennium. If you haven't already signed up for our 2025 session recap meeting next Tuesday, please join us to discuss these outcomes in more detail and begin looking towards 2026. Register here!

I can't summarize the end of session without mentioning the political assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and the attempted assassination of Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. I know that many of us worked closely with both Representative Hortman and Senator Hoffman, and I can't say enough good things about them. Representative Hortman was a quick study who led with remarkable insight and interpersonal skills. She will be sorely missed at the Capitol, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the Hortmans as they navigate this devastating loss. Senator Hoffman has been such a source of joy and humor at the legislator and has long been an advocate for child care policies and resources for communities across the state. It was great to hear earlier this week that Senator Hoffman was released from the ICU and has moved to a long-term rehab facility, and we wish him the best in his ongoing recovery.

I know that everyone who works with the state legislature is still stunned by this unspeakable tragedy, and I expect that we will be wrestling with the implications of this violence for some time. As we look ahead, I hope that we can find some healing and come together to work for the betterment of our state.

Sincerely,

Darielle Dannen

Executive Director, Greater Minnesota Partnership

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Do you have recent local projects, exciting programs, or other news to share with GMNP members? Send us a short snippet so we can include it in the next newsletter!

SUMMER EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

GMNP Legislative Recap - July 15, 12-1pm (Zoom)

Join us on July 15 from 12-1pm via Zoom to review the outcomes of the 2025 legislative session and discuss what's in store for next year. Sign up here to receive the meeting link.

CGMC Summer Conference - July 23-25 (Bemidji)

GMNP members are invited to join our sister organization, the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, for their annual Summer Conference. The three-day conference agenda will include engaging speakers and sessions, interactive discussions, networking opportunities, and more! Click here for more info on the CGMC website.

RESOURCES FOR MEMBERS

Housing:

Minnesota Housing expects to approve the first funding awards for the Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure grant program during the October Board meeting. They also expect to release a spring RFP for the program.

Workforce Training – Available Now

Agriculture Workforce Competitive Grant program – A competitive grant funding opportunity to support workforce training in the agricultural sector.

Southeast Economic Disparities Relief Competitive Grant Program – Competitive funding to eliminate racial disparities and the economic gaps between white Minnesotans and Minnesotans of Southeast Asian communities.

Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA) Competitive Grant – Competitive program that works to increase the number of women in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations.

Economic Development – Available Now

Broadband BEAD program – Federal funding to support broadband for all.

Redevelopment Grant and Demolition Loan programs – which helps communities with the costs of redeveloping blighted industrial, residential or commercial sites and putting land back into productive use.

Transportation Economic Development Infrastructure (TEDI) Program – Competitive grant program available to communities for road and public infrastructure projects that create jobs and support economic development.

MPCA Grants – Available Now

Brownfield Investigation Grants - Publicly or privately owned sites are eligible for grants that can help fund initial work on brownfield sites.

Environmental Assistance Loans - Provides financial assistance to accelerate the application and/or improvement of environmental processes and technologies.

Small Business Environmental Improvement Loans - zero-percent interest loans for small businesses for capital equipment purchases that help the company meet or exceed environmental regulations

CONTACT & CONNECT

Darielle Dannen, Executive Director

darielle@gmnp.org

(651) 259-1908

Emma Nelson, Membership & Operations

emma@gmnp.org

(651) 259-1936

Visit us online at www.gmnp.org

The Greater Minnesota Partnership advocates for public policies and investments that stimulate prosperity throughout Greater Minnesota.

Copyright © 2025 Flaherty & Hood, P.A., All rights reserved.

Visit us online at gmnp.org

Our mailing address is:
Greater Minnesota Partnership
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St. Paul, MN 55103

Contact: info@gmnp.org or 651-259-1908