Construction awareness

Owners of small businesses have sometimes felt uninformed and helpless when it comes to transportation projects that are to occur outside their front door.

A bill approved by the House Finance Committee and sent to the House Ways and Means Committee April 9 hopes to change that.

Sponsored by Rep. Shelley Madore (DFL-Apple Valley) and Sen. Patricia Torres Ray (DFL-Mpls), HF4055/SF3669* was approved 66-0 by the Senate April 3. The House language was inserted into the Senate bill by the House Finance Committee.

“This bill asks for a report to find out what it would cost to actually engage the local business community, cities and counties,” Madore said. “We’re looking to improve communication opportunities for small businesses.”

It would require the Department of Transportation to submit a report to the Legislature by March 15, 2009, about a potential model public information program for small businesses impacted by transportation construction projects. To be developed in consultation with the Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Metropolitan Council, counties, cities and community organizations, the report would address:

• best ways to get information to small businesses;

• what should be included in an information packet, such as potential changes in parking, traffic and public access in the area; and

• recommendations for opportunities to provide further assistance to small businesses.

Iric Nathanson, financial resources coordinator for the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, told the House Transportation Finance Division March 26 that experiences small businesses have had are inconsistent. “In some cases, they’ve been able to get up-to-date, accurate information, but in other cases, particularly where there are a collection of very small ethnic-oriented businesses, it’s difficult to get full information out.”

A fiscal note indicates $43,000 in Trunk Highway Fund expenditures would be spent this biennium to prepare the report. Rep. Paul Kohls (R-Victoria) questioned the expense at a time when fiscal restraint should be in order.

Betsy Parker, MnDOT government relations director, previously said programs already exist to reach out to affected businesses, and have had many successful business community interactions, but they are “comfortable” with the House bill.