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Housing & Economic Development <br />The economic viability of the metro area is enhanced by a broad array of economic development <br />tools that create infrastructure, revitalize previously developed property, provide incentives for <br />business development, support technological advances, support a trained workforce, and address <br />disparities in economic development and workforce development. It should be the goal of the <br />state to champion development and redevelopment by providing enough sustainable funding to <br />assure competitiveness in a global marketplace. The state should recognize the relationship <br />between housing and economic development. Economic development and redevelopment are not <br />mutually exclusive — some projects require a boost on both counts. The State of Minnesota <br />should recognize cities as the primary unit of government responsible for the implementation of <br />economic development, redevelopment policies and land use controls. <br />3-K (1) Economic Development <br />For purposes of this section, economic development is defined as a form of development that can <br />contain direct business assistance, infrastructure development, technical assistance and policy <br />support with the goal of sustainable job creation, job retention, appropriate state regulation or <br />classification, or to nurture new or retain existing industry in the state. The measure of return on <br />investment of public business subsidies should include the impact (positive or negative) of "spin- <br />off development" or business development that is ancillary and supportive of the primary <br />business. <br />A strength of the regional economy has been its economic diversity. GREATER MSP has <br />identified multiple industry clusters and sectors that employ a specialized, trained workforce and <br />support entrepreneurs in developing new businesses. Partnerships and collaborations among the <br />state and local levels of government, higher education and industry should continue to develop, <br />to commercialize new technologies and to support efforts to enhance the economic vitality of the <br />region. <br />While cities are the primary unit of local government responsible for the implementation of <br />economic development, counties have an interest in supporting local economic development <br />efforts. Any creation of a county CDA, EDA or HRA with economic development powers <br />should follow M.S. 469.1082 that requires a city to adopt a resolution electing to participate. <br />Cities can work with the public and private sectors to support the region's economic growth by <br />reducing barriers to economic participation by people of color. <br />Metro Cities supports state funded programs that support new and expanding businesses, <br />infrastructure development and public -private partnerships. This includes the Minnesota <br />Investment Fund, Job Creation Fund and Angel Tax Credit. Programs using statewide funding <br />should strive to award funds balanced between the metro region and greater Minnesota. Metro <br />Cities supports competitive funding for statewide grant programs such as the Minnesota <br />Investment Fund (MIF) as opposed to direct legislative appropriations for projects from <br />these funds. Metro Cities supports a percentage of MIF loan repayments to cities. The state <br />should provide administrative support and technical assistance to cities that administer these <br />programs. Applications for state MIF funds should allow a city to indicate support for a MIF <br />grant or a loan. <br />2019 Legislative Policies <br />29 <br />