Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to support economic development by funding programs aimed at reducing violence through employment empowerment and social equity building. It seeks to provide financial assistance to community organizations that focus on community-based strategies for improvement.

Main Provisions

• Funding Allocations: The bill allocates $2,000,000 from the Minnesota general fund for each of the fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
• Grant Recipients: These funds are directed to the Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County to distribute as follows:
  • Days of Peace: Receives $500,000 annually from the allocated funds to support social equity building and community engagement activities.
  • A Mother’s Love: Receives $500,000 annually to fund community outreach, empowerment training, and career exploration services. This includes offering wraparound services, which help remove barriers and encourage participation among individuals, particularly targeting middle school-aged youth to adults.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill introduces a new financial appropriation specifically aimed at community-based violence reduction through economic empowerment, marking a shift towards preventative measures that blend social equity with employment opportunities.

Relevant Terms

community-based approach, violence reduction, employment empowerment, social equity, grants, economic development, Hennepin County, Community Action Partnership, Days of Peace, A Mother's Love, youth employment, wraparound services.