Launch Minnesota
It's inspiring to see the projects I worked on and passed last legislative session get put into action to improve peoples' lives.
Launch Minnesota, a new program designed to foster innovation across the state, is a joint initiative with private businesses and nonprofit organizations statewide that will provide financial incentives, training and grants to people starting businesses in technology sectors like aerospace, agriculture, nanotechnology and medical devices.
The program will have an annual budget of $2.5 million and will provide special consideration and resources for startups and small businesses in Greater Minnesota, as well as businesses started by women, veterans and people of color.
Launch Minnesota also aims to ease the burden of leaving a steady job to create a startup. It will do this through offering grants to assist federal research, business liquidity grants to help entrepreneurs with capital constraints, childcare and housing assistance, as well as training in areas like equity capital, building toward scalability and pitching venture capitalists.
Minnesota Values Project
The Minnesota Values Project is an ongoing partnership between Minnesotans and elected officials. We’re working together to create a shared vision for the future of our state, and your input is an important part of this process! You can let us know what’s important to you, your community, and Minnesota by taking a quick survey here.
Join a Statewide Conversation about Historic Fort Snelling
Historic Fort Snelling, a 23-acre site located along the Mississippi River, has had many names over the years. The Minnesota Historical Society is asking Minnesotans to weigh in on what it should be called. You can share your opinions by taking a survey or attending one of the upcoming public meetings. More information about the survey and public meetings is available here.
High School Page Program
Our House of Representatives High School Page Program is an awesome opportunity for students in their Junior year! Applicants can participate in a wide variety of activities to enhance their understanding of our state government and the legislative process. Some of the activities include:
- Assisting members and staff during House floor sessions in the House Chamber.
- Participating in a mock committee hearing designed to develop students' leadership skills and to inspire them to think critically about the issues confronting our state.
- Individual meetings with state representatives designed to allow students to discuss the issues that matter most to them.
- Meetings with constitutional officers, members of the judiciary, lobbyists, and members of the media.
The programs are each 1 week long, and applications are taken until November 21st, 2019. Find more information here, and start an application here!
Share Your Input on our Natural Resources
The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) is seeking input from Minnesotans. This bipartisan commission is working on a strategic plan for the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Once it’s completed, the plan will guide efforts to preserve our state’s air, water, land, wildlife, and other natural resources for the next six years. You can share your feedback by completing an anonymous survey, which is available here.
Community Events
I hope you'll join me on October 22 (next Tuesday) for a town hall at Van Cleve Park focused on environmental issues with Rep. Diane Loeffler and Sen. Kari Dziedzic!
It was great to attend the U of M forum for a valuable conversation on issues from housing, to mining, and everything in between.
I was honored to have been selected by the Speaker to attend National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) “Wireless University Communications Policy Seminar,” held with state legislators from across the country in Boston.
I was fortunate to participate in the Milbank Memorial Fund’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP).
The program, developed in 2015 by the Fund and its Reforming States Group (RSG), is designed to bring together individuals from the executive and legislative branches of state government to develop skills that will enhance their effectiveness as leaders in addressing the challenges of today’s complex health policy environment.
I had a great time spending a morning recently with second graders from the Lyndale Community School (and Attorney General Keith Elllison) at the Capitol!
I hope you're staying warm as the weather gets more chilly and unpredictable! As always, please reach out with comments and questions.
Sincerely,
Rep. Mohamud Noor
|