Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to support economic development through improvements in child care services in rural Minnesota communities. It aims to assist these communities in creating comprehensive plans that enhance both the availability and quality of child care, which is crucial for regional economic growth.

Main Provisions

• Funding Allocation: The bill proposes the appropriation of $1 million from the general fund and $2.5 million from the workforce development fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This funding will be administered through the Minnesota Initiative Foundations to support child care-related activities.
• Use of Funds: The Minnesota Initiative Foundations will use these funds to:
  1. Develop community solution action plans that sustain and expand child care availability.
  2. Encourage private sector investment in these plans to integrate quality child care into broader economic development strategies.
  3. Offer training and technical assistance to rural child care business owners to enhance their business operations and engage in quality improvements.
  4. Recruit child care programs into quality rating systems and assist providers through coaching and local partnerships to achieve these ratings.

Significant Changes

The bill represents a significant investment in child care as a component of economic development for rural regions. It emphasizes the collaboration between the public and private sectors in these efforts and supports training and resources for child care providers to ensure high standards.

Relevant Terms

• Economic development
• Child care
• Rural communities
• Minnesota Initiative Foundations
• Workforce development fund
• Community solution action plan
• Quality rating and improvement programs