GMNP works closely with stakeholders to advocate for solutions to Greater Minnesota's child care crisis and its impact on economic development. Recently, our accomplishments in the child care space have included:

• The development of a new Greater Minnesota Child Care Facilities Grant program that provides grants to local governments and child care providers to support the construction of new child care facilities and improvements to existing facilities.  While this program received one-time funding of $900,000 from the legislature in 2023, the GMNP continues to advocate for further funds to meet program demand.
• The creation of a new Child Care and Community Partnerships office within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) that supports and promotes the expansion of quality child care statewide and accessibility to child care for underserved communities. 
• Increased investments in DEED’s Child Care Economic Development Grants that supports solutions to reduce child care shortages throughout the state. This program received a boost in funding of $13 million for the 2023-2024 biennium, with at least 50% of the funds reserved for recipients in Greater Minnesota.
• Funding for Greater Minnesota Child Care Capacity Partnerships with the six Minnesota Initiative Foundations that support regional efforts to expand child care capacity. These partnerships were funded at $7 million in the 2023-2024 biennium.
• An increase to the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) reimbursement rate in 2023, more than doubling the eligible reimbursement for child care providers and enabling them to build sustainable and financially stable business without limiting access.

Click here to learn more about the GMNP's work on child care.

GMNP leads the push for programs that address the housing shortage that hampers economic growth throughout Greater Minnesota. Some of our recent accomplishments include:

• The creation and funding of the Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure Grants Program, which will provide local governments with up to 50% of the capital cost needed to support housing development. The program received $8 million in one-time funding in 2023.
• Creation of the Greater Minnesota Tier II Cities Grants which was appropriated $4.5 million in one-time funds for cities in Greater Minnesota with a population less than 10,000.  Funds can be used for a range of rental, homeownership and housing stability activities.
• Ongoing funding, including $44 million in 2023, for the Greater Minnesota Workforce Housing Development program, which funds market-rate residential housing in communities outside of the Metro area.

Click to learn more about the GMNP's work on housing.

The Greater Minnesota Partnership advocates for economic development programs that support business development and expansion, job creation, and economic growth throughout Greater Minnesota. Our recent work has included:

• Investments in the Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure (BDPI) grant program, which helps cities provide the infrastructure needed to accommodate business growth. The BDPI program has received $61 million in funding since the GMNP was formed in 2013, including $16 million for the 2023-2024 biennium.
• $21 million for economic revitalization through the PROMISE Act, which provides loans and grants to small businesses in economically stressed communities.

Click here to learn more about the GMNP's work on economic development.

Greater Minnesota communities continue to outpace the rest of the state in job openings, but are plagued by a shortage of skilled workers. GMNP is a leading advocate for programs that directly connect workers with training and employers looking to hire. Our recent successes supporting workforce development have included:

• Ongoing funding for the Greater Minnesota Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP), which provides grants to employers for a portion of the training costs incurred by hiring new employees. The program was funded at $2.6 million over the 2023-2024 biennium, and has received more than $12 million in funding since the GMNP helped create it in 2015.
• The creation of the Drive for Five initiative, an employment training program which prioritizes training for high-demand jobs in five occupational categories: technology, labor, caring professions, manufacturing, and education.
• Ongoing funding for the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Program supporting Minnesota businesses who partner with an accredited Minnesota educational institution. Grants of up to $400,000 are awarded to the educational institution to develop and deliver custom training specific to business needs. This program was funded at $8.3 million for 2023-24.

Click here to learn more about the GMNP's work on workforce development.

The GMNP was instrumental in the creation of the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program, which helps bring high-quality, high-speed broadband to businesses and households in Greater Minnesota. The GMNP continues to push for the funding and programs necessary to make broadband available in every corner of Greater Minnesota. Key accomplishments include:

• GMNP helped secure more than $300 million in new funding for the Border-to-Border program.
• Pilot of a Lower Population Density Grant Program that allows the state to provide up to a 75% match for broadband projects in unserved and underserved areas of the state. The state legislature allocated $50 million for this pilot across 2024-2024.   
• Creation of the Broadband Line Extension Connection Program to award grants for the extension of existing broadband infrastructure to unserved locations.  The state legislature appropriated $15 million for this program in 2023.   
• Modification of the Border-to-Border Grant Program to increase the maximum award from $5 million to $10 million.  

Click here to read more about the GMNP's work on broadband.

GMNP members know the importance of state support for economic development infrastructure. These investments ensure that communities in Greater Minnesota can continue to thrive and support further growth. Key accomplishments include:

• Investments in the Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure (BDPI) grant program, which helps cities provide the infrastructure needed to accommodate business growth. The BDPI program has received $61 million in funding since the GMNP was formed in 2013, including $16 million for the 2023-2024 biennium.
• The development of a new Greater Minnesota Child Care Facilities Grant program that provides grants to local governments and child care providers to support the construction of new child care facilities and improvements to existing facilities.  While this program received one-time funding of $900,000 from the legislature in 2023, the GMNP continues to advocate for further funds to meet program demand.
• The creation and funding of the Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure Grants Program, which will provide local governments with up to 50% of the capital cost needed to support housing development. The program received $8 million in one-time funding in 2023.
• Supporting balanced bonding bills that invest in Greater Minnesota communities and infrastructure needs.

Click here to read more about the GMNP's work on infrastructure.