News Release
HEINRICH VOTES FOR BUSINESS RELIEF BILL
ST. PAUL, MN - The Minnesota House approved a $216 million business relief package late Monday evening, sending to the Governor's desk a bill to help small businesses and workers impacted by Governor Walz's latest restrictions on businesses. Walz has twice delayed an announcement on whether the restrictions first announce on November 18th will continue past their December 18 expiration.
"I am proud to support this bill to aid our local businesses that have been hit so hard this year," said Heinrich. "This bill is not perfect, but it gets critical help where it's needed. Our businesses are struggling, and to lose them would be a detriment to our entire state. I hope this bill will allow our local businesses to make it through this crisis, but what businesses need most is to open. We know that the vast majority of businesses can open safely. This unilateral shutdown cannot continue."
The business relief package includes direct grants to businesses, license and other fee relief, and a 13 week extension of unemployment insurance for workers. The grants are broken into three categories aimed at prioritizing speed:
- The first category will be $88 million in grants administered automatically by the Department of Revenue (DOR) to restaurants, bars, gyms, bowling alleys, and other businesses who have seen losses of more than 30% compared to last year.
- The second category is approximately $14 million administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for movie theaters and large convention centers.
- The third category is $112 million in grants that will be administered at the county level. The county-based grants are intended to help additional businesses impacted by the recent closures that do not qualify for the first two grant categories, however businesses who receive grants from the DOR are not precluded from receiving county-based grants.
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