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8/20/2025 <br />9 <br />17 <br />Increasing the flexibility of HRA funding <br />• County remains steadfast in its prioritization of affordable housing. <br />– Local Affordable Housing Aid (i.e. housing sales tax) is providing added flexibility <br />• Increases flexibility in funding business programming. <br />– Currently General Levy supports $345,000 business programming. <br />⯈Open to Business, CEO Next, CEO Now, RamseyCountyMeansBusiness.com <br />• Areas of need identified to strengthen the small business ecosystem: <br />–Capacity building of small business support organizations to meet current and <br />future needs. <br />– More technical assistance/advisory services to better serve targeted <br />geographies, communities and/or industries. <br />– Additional flexible capital to enable greater business retention, expansion & <br />attraction. <br />18 <br />2025 Legislative Request <br />• Seeks to amend the county’s HRA statutory language <br />to expand authority to better support diversifying <br />industries, communities, and emerging entrepreneurs <br />• Legislation does not impact the formula associated <br />with HRA levy collection <br />• Cities would have the choice to opt-in to spending on <br />economic development authority (EDA) eligible <br />activities. <br />• If no opt-in, then existing HRA- <br />eligible activities would remain. <br />2025 Legislative Session <br />HF 2349 (Lee) / SF 2521 (Hawj) <br />13