ST. PAUL – Legislation chief-authored by State Representative Steve Jacob (R-Altura) that would help a Mazeppa restaurant recover from devastating fire damage is moving forward in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
“In all honesty this should be a noncontroversial proposal,” Jacob said. “The Legislature has been understanding about the need for a sales tax exemption for the restaurant rebuild in the past, and I am hopeful it will receive similar consideration this year.”
In March of 2018, WD’s Bar and Grill in Mazeppa was gutted by fire. The owners want to rebuild and continue to provide a restaurant to the City.
Jacob said in 2019 the Legislature first granted a sales tax exemption for construction materials, building materials, and supplies used and equipment incorporated into the construction and replacement of real property and capital equipment destroyed in the blaze. Due to the COVID pandemic, the project was not completed, and the sales tax exemption expired.
Jacob’s bill, which was recently heard in the Minnesota House Taxes Committee, would extend the expiration of this exemption through the end of 2023. Mazeppa City Administrator Karl Nahrgang joined Rep. Jacob at the hearing.
“It’s a very reasonable bill that will not only help the restaurant owners, but will also help keep Mazeppa’s Main Street vibrant,” Jacob said.
Jacob’s bill was held over for possible inclusion in a comprehensive Minnesota House taxes proposal that will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
“I’m hopeful the bill will pass later in session and bring needed tax relief to Mazeppa and help the community rebuild after the tragic loss,” Jacob concluded.