Subdivision 1. Established. (a) The Rural Policy and Development Center is established at Mankato State University. The center may be established by the board as a nonprofit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the board may organize and operate the center in a manner and form that the board determines best allows the center to carry out its duties.
(b) If the board organizes the center as a nonprofit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, staff of the center may participate in state insurance plans that apply to state employees generally, and are subject to regulation by the state Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
Subd. 2. Governance. The center is governed by a board of directors appointed to six-year terms by the governor comprised of:
(1) a representative from each of the two largest statewide general farm organizations;
(2) a representative from a regional initiative organization selected under section 116J.415, subdivision 3;
(3) the president of Mankato State University;
(4) a representative from the general public residing in a town of less than 5,000 located outside of the metropolitan area;
(5) a member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house and a member of the senate appointed by the subcommittee on committees of the senate committee on rules and administration appointed for two-year terms;
(6) three representatives from business, including one representing rural manufacturing and one rural retail and service business;
(7) three representatives from private foundations with a demonstrated commitment to rural issues;
(8) one representative from a rural county government; and
(9) one representative from a rural regional government.
The board shall appoint one additional member to the board of directors who shall represent the general public.
If the board concludes at any time that the composition of the board does not adequately reflect the ethnic and gender diversity of rural Minnesota, the board may appoint up to four additional members in order to better reflect this diversity. Members appointed by the board under this paragraph shall serve six-year terms. The board may not appoint additional members such that the board would have a total of more than 20 members.
Subd. 3. Duties. The center shall:
(1) research and identify present and emerging social and economic issues for rural Minnesota, including health care, transportation, crime, housing, and job training;
(2) forge alliances and partnerships with rural communities to find practical solutions to economic and social problems;
(3) provide a resource center for rural communities on issues of importance to them;
(4) encourage collaboration across higher education institutions to provide interdisciplinary team approaches to problem solving with rural communities;
(5) involve students in center projects; and
(6) submit to the legislature a report on the "State of Rural Minnesota" no later than March 1 in each odd-numbered year.
Subd. 4. Statewide focus. The center has a statewide mission. It may contract and collaborate with higher education and other institutions located throughout the state.
Subd. 5. Powers. The board has the power to do all things reasonable and necessary to carry out the duties of the center including, without limitation, the power to:
(1) enter into contracts for goods or services with individuals and private and public entities;
(2) sue and be sued;
(3) acquire, hold, lease, and transfer any interest in real and personal property;
(4) accept appropriations, gifts, grants, and bequests;
(5) hire employees; and
(6) delegate any of its powers.
Subd. 6. Use of appropriation. State appropriations to the board, whether from the general fund or the rural policy and development fund, may, at the discretion of the board, be expended for administration of the center and to carry out its duties under this section or under other law.
Subd. 7. Board compensation. Compensation and expense reimbursement of board members is as provided in section 15.0575, subdivision 3.
1997 c 200 art 1 s 51; 1Sp1998 c 1 art 3 s 18,19; 1999 c 223 art 2 s 19-22; 2000 c 488 art 2 s 5; 2001 c 86 s 1; 2006 c 281 art 4 s 5
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 116J - 116O — Economic Development And Planning
Chapter 116J — Employment And Economic Development
Section 116J.01 — Department Of Employment And Economic Development.
Section 116J.0124 — Plain Language In Written Materials.
Section 116J.0125 — Annual Report To Legislature.
Section 116J.013 — Cost-of-living Study; Annual Report.
Section 116J.014 — Cooperation With Other State Agencies.
Section 116J.03 — Definitions.
Section 116J.035 — Powers Of Commissioner; Rules.
Section 116J.401 — Designation; Duties; Data.
Section 116J.4011 — Labor Market Information Data Production Requirement.
Section 116J.407 — Dairy Modernization.
Section 116J.39 — Office Of Broadband Development.
Section 116J.391 — Coordination Of Broadband Infrastructure Development.
Section 116J.394 — Definitions.
Section 116J.395 — Border-to-border Broadband Development Grant Program.
Section 116J.3951 — Broadband Line Extension Program.
Section 116J.396 — Border-to-border Broadband Fund.
Section 116J.397 — Updated Broadband Deployment Data And Maps.
Section 116J.398 — Broadband Prevailing Wage Exemption.
Section 116J.399 — Broadband Easements.
Section 116J.411 — Definitions.
Section 116J.412 — Account Allocation.
Section 116J.415 — Challenge Grant Program.
Section 116J.417 — Greater Minnesota Child Care Facility Capital Grant Program.
Section 116J.421 — Rural Policy And Development Center.
Section 116J.4221 — Rural Policy And Development Center Fund.
Section 116J.423 — Minnesota 21st Century Fund.
Section 116J.424 — Iron Range Resources And Rehabilitation Contribution.
Section 116J.431 — Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program.
Section 116J.435 — Innovative Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program.
Section 116J.436 — Transportation Economic Development Infrastructure Program.
Section 116J.437 — Coordinating Economic Development And Environmental Policy.
Section 116J.438 — Minnesota Green Enterprise Assistance.
Section 116J.439 — Airport Infrastructure Renewal (air) Grant Program.
Section 116J.548 — Host Community Economic Development Grants.
Section 116J.5491 — Energy Transition Office.
Section 116J.5492 — Energy Transition Advisory Committee.
Section 116J.5493 — Minnesota Energy Transition Plan.
Section 116J.55 — Community Energy Transition Grants.
Section 116J.571 — Creation Of Accounts.
Section 116J.572 — Definitions.
Section 116J.574 — Grant Applications.
Section 116J.5762 — Loan Applications.
Section 116J.5763 — Priorities.
Section 116J.5764 — Loan Terms And Conditions.
Section 116J.5765 — Nonliability.
Section 116J.578 — Bioscience Subsidy.
Section 116J.60 — Promotional Expenses.
Section 116J.617 — Tourism Loan Program.
Section 116J.63 — Sale Of Pamphlets And Publications; Fees; Advertising.
Section 116J.64 — Loans To Indians.
Section 116J.658 — Minnesota Science And Technology Economic Development Project.
Section 116J.871 — Financial Assistance Limitations; Prevailing Wage.
Section 116J.872 — Economic Response Team.
Section 116J.8731 — Minnesota Investment Fund.
Section 116J.8732 — Seed Capital Investment Credit; Commissioner's Responsibilities.
Section 116J.8737 — Small Business Investment Tax Credit.
Section 116J.8738 — Qualified Expansions Of Greater Minnesota Businesses.
Section 116J.8745 — Microenterprise Entrepreneurial Assistance.
Section 116J.8747 — Job Training Program Grant.
Section 116J.8748 — Minnesota Job Creation Fund.
Section 116J.8749 — Main Street Economic Revitalization Program.
Section 116J.551 — Creation Of Accounts.
Section 116J.552 — Definitions.
Section 116J.553 — Grant Applications.
Section 116J.555 — Priorities.
Section 116J.556 — Local Match Requirement.
Section 116J.557 — Cost Recovery Actions.
Section 116J.558 — Effect Of Issuance Of Grants.
Section 116J.66 — Business Assistance.
Section 116J.68 — Bureau Of Small Business.
Section 116J.69 — Uniform Business Licensing Policy.
Section 116J.70 — Definitions.
Section 116J.71 — New Licenses.
Section 116J.72 — Existing Licenses.
Section 116J.73 — Bureau Of Business Licenses; Declaration Of Purpose.
Section 116J.74 — Definitions.
Section 116J.76 — General Functions; Powers And Duties.
Section 116J.77 — Assistance Of Other Agencies.
Section 116J.78 — Comprehensive License Information.
Section 116J.79 — Preapplication Conferences.
Section 116J.80 — Master Application Procedure.
Section 116J.81 — License Coordination And Assistance To Applicants.
Section 116J.82 — Consolidated Hearings.
Section 116J.83 — License Authority Retained.
Section 116J.84 — Services Provided At No Charge.
Section 116J.85 — Federal And Local Government Participation.
Section 116J.86 — Compilation And Maintenance Of Statistical Data.
Section 116J.876 — Definitions.
Section 116J.8761 — Capital Access Program; Creation; Administration.
Section 116J.8762 — Commissioner; Duties.
Section 116J.8763 — Eligible Loans.
Section 116J.8764 — Enrollment Of Loans In Program.
Section 116J.8765 — Reserve Fund; Premiums.
Section 116J.8766 — Claims By Lender To Reserve Fund.
Section 116J.8767 — Subrogation Of Claims.
Section 116J.8768 — Excess Reserve Funds.
Section 116J.8769 — Termination.
Section 116J.8770 — Equity Investments.
Section 116J.881 — Small Business Loan Guarantee Program.
Section 116J.955 — Rural Rehabilitation Revolving Account.
Section 116J.966 — Commissioner's Trade Promotion Duties.
Section 116J.976 — State Approval Of Government Procurement Agreements.
Section 116J.978 — Minnesota Trade Offices In Foreign Markets.
Section 116J.9781 — Invest Minnesota.
Section 116J.979 — Minnesota Step Grants.
Section 116J.980 — Community Development.
Section 116J.982 — Community Development Corporations.
Section 116J.9922 — Central Minnesota Opportunity Grant Program.
Section 116J.9923 — Telecommuter Forward! Certification.
Section 116J.9924 — Targeted Community Capital Project Grant Program.
Section 116J.993 — Definitions.
Section 116J.994 — Regulating Local And State Business Subsidies.
Section 116J.995 — Economic Grants.
Section 116J.996 — Military Reservist Economic Injury And Veteran-owned Small Business Loans.