Subdivision 1. Generally. The Bureau of Small Business within the business assistance center shall serve as a clearinghouse, technical assistance center, and referral service for information and other assistance needed by small businesses including small targeted group businesses and small businesses located in an economically disadvantaged area.
Subd. 2. Duties. The bureau shall:
(1) provide information and assistance with respect to all aspects of business planning, business finance, and business management related to the start-up, operation, or expansion of a small business in Minnesota;
(2) refer persons interested in the start-up, operation, or expansion of a small business in Minnesota to assistance programs sponsored by federal agencies, state agencies, educational institutions, chambers of commerce, civic organizations, community development groups, private industry associations, and other organizations;
(3) plan, develop, and implement a master file of information on small business assistance programs of federal, state, and local governments, and other public and private organizations so as to provide comprehensive, timely information to the bureau's clients;
(4) employ staff with adequate and appropriate skills and education and training for the delivery of information and assistance;
(5) seek out and utilize, to the extent practicable, contributed expertise and services of federal, state, and local governments, educational institutions, and other public and private organizations;
(6) maintain a close and continued relationship with the director of the procurement program within the Department of Administration so as to facilitate the department's duties and responsibilities under sections 16C.16 to 16C.19 relating to the small targeted group business and economically disadvantaged business program of the state;
(7) develop an information system which will enable the commissioner and other state agencies to efficiently store, retrieve, analyze, and exchange data regarding small business development and growth in the state. All executive branch agencies of state government and the secretary of state shall to the extent practicable, assist the bureau in the development and implementation of the information system;
(8) establish and maintain a toll-free telephone number, email account, and other electronic contact mediums determined by the commissioner so that all small business persons anywhere in the state may contact the bureau office for assistance. An outreach program shall be established to make the existence of the bureau and the assistance and services the bureau may provide to small businesses well known to its potential clientele throughout the state. If the small business person requires a referral to another provider the bureau may use the business assistance referral system established by the Minnesota Project Outreach Corporation;
(9) conduct research and provide data as required by the state legislature;
(10) develop and publish material on all aspects of the start-up, operation, or expansion of a small business in Minnesota;
(11) collect and disseminate information on state procurement opportunities, including information on the procurement process;
(12) develop a public awareness program regarding state assistance programs for small businesses, including those programs specifically for socially disadvantaged small business persons. The commissioner may utilize print and electronic newsletters, personal contacts, advertising devices as defined in section 173.02, subdivision 16, social media, other electronic and print news media advertising, and any other means determined by the commissioner;
(13) enter into agreements with the federal government and other public and private entities to serve as the statewide coordinator or host agency for the federal small business development center program under United States Code, title 15, section 648; and
(14) assist providers in the evaluation of their programs and the assessment of their service area needs. The bureau may establish model evaluation techniques and performance standards for providers to use.
Subd. 3. [Repealed, 1984 c 604 s 5]
Subd. 4. [Repealed, 1984 c 604 s 5]
Subd. 5. [Repealed, 2014 c 271 art 1 s 3]
1979 c 246 s 3; 1981 c 356 s 248; 1984 c 604 s 5; 1987 c 384 art 2 s 1; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 142; 1989 c 352 s 8,25; 1990 c 541 s 11,29; 1991 c 199 art 1 s 31; 1993 c 163 art 1 s 17; 1996 c 305 art 1 s 29; 1998 c 386 art 2 s 36; 2005 c 163 s 53; 2009 c 78 art 2 s 17; 2016 c 189 art 7 s 20
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.