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Neighbors,
Thanks to everyone who participated in the District 60 Virtual Town Hall on Thursday night. Sen. Dziedzic, Rep. Noor and I appreciated your engaged, thoughtful questions. If you were not able to join us last night, you can watch the meeting on Rep. Noor’s Facebook page.
CARES Act relief to communities announced
On Thursday, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced a plan to distribute $853 million in relief to communities across the state impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. $841 million will be distributed to Minnesota counties, cities, and towns to support local government coronavirus relief efforts. $12 million will be allocated toward food shelves and food banks. The funding was authorized under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Once approved by the Legislative Advisory Commission, the Minnesota Department of Revenue will distribute these funds on a rolling basis beginning the week of June 29, 2020. Based on a per capita formula, Minneapolis will receive $32,282,020.
More information on the Coronavirus Relief Fund for Local Governments is available here.
Small business relief grant applications now being accepted
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) recently announced that the Minnesota Small Business Relief Grants Program – which was approved by the Minnesota Legislature last week and signed by Governor Tim Walz on Tuesday – is now accepting applications.
This program provides grants of up to $10,000 for small businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees are eligible. Half of the funding will go to businesses in Greater Minnesota and half to businesses in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area, as required by law.
Additional carve-outs of grant distribution include:
- $18 million for businesses with six or fewer full-time employees
- $10 million for minority business enterprises
- $2.5 million for veteran-owned businesses
- $2.5 million for women-owned businesses
- $2.5 million for operators of indoor retail and food markets with an ethnic cultural emphasis
The application period closes at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2 to fulfill the 10-day period required by the law. .
AARP survey
The AARP community survey seeks to inform the work of the Governor’s Council on an Age Friendly Minnesota, which is working to drive coordinated action across state agencies and move Minnesota toward being a more livable, age friendly state. The full survey can be taken by individual Minnesota residents, age 45+ through July 3, 2020.
Vote by Mail
Many people are opting to vote by mail this year due to COVID-19 concerns. Mail-in ballots can be obtained now from the Minnesota Secretary of State. Find out more here.
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You can contact me at rep.sydney.jordan@house.mn or (651) 296-4219. Be sure to “like” my official state representative Facebook page!
Thank you for the privilege of serving District 60A in the legislature.
Sincerely,
Sydney Jordan
State Representative
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