Bill Text: MS SB2718 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: "Partnerships for Growth" program grants; prescribe conditions for administration by the Mississippi Development Authority.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2022-02-01 - Died In Committee [SB2718 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2022-SB2718-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Economic and Workforce Development; Appropriations
By: Senator(s) Blackmon
Senate Bill 2718
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A "PARTNERSHIPS FOR GROWTH" GRANT PROGRAM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND TO CREATE A FUND FOR THAT PURPOSE; TO PRESCRIBE THE PURPOSES AND CONDITIONS FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS; TO AMEND SECTION 57-1-55, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) This section may be cited as the "Partnerships for Growth" grant program for economic development and job creation.
(2) There is hereby established within the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) the Partnerships for Growth grant program. Partnerships for Growth shall be a competitive program of grants or other financial assistance to support economic development, job creation and housing and climate resilience initiatives, including nature-based solutions projects that incorporate these elements for the public purpose of promoting economic opportunity and prosperity in small towns or rural areas of the state. Such financial assistance may be offered to a municipality or other public entity, a community development corporation, or other nonprofit or for-profit entity. Such financial assistance shall support a project located in a municipality with a population of not more than five thousand (5,000) year-round residents or a population density of not more than five hundred (500) persons per square mile.
(3) Grants and financial assistance under this act shall be administered by the Mississippi Development Authority in consultation with the Mississippi Home Corporation, which shall establish procedures, conditions and matching requirements for such grants.
(4) The Partnerships for Growth grant program administered by the MDA shall include funding for site assembly, site assessment, predevelopment permitting and other predevelopment and marketing activities that enhance a site's readiness for commercial, industrial or mixed-use development.
(5) The Partnerships for Growth grant program shall provide matching grants to community development financial institutions certified by the United States Treasury or community development corporations to enable such entities to leverage federal or private investments for the purpose of making loans and grants to small businesses, including, but not limited to, businesses owned by women, veterans, minorities and immigrants, and shall prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged businesses that have historically faced obstacles accessing capital and have been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
(6) The Partnerships for Growth grant program shall provide matching grants for an employment social enterprise capital grant program, in consultation with the United States Department of Labor, for the development of eligible facilities for nonprofit employment social enterprises that sell goods and services and enhance economic development; provided that eligible applicants shall be nonprofit organizations operating employment social enterprises targeting individuals facing significant barriers to employment. Such grants shall offer paid employment opportunities to low-income individuals, with priority to socially and economically disadvantaged populations experiencing complex needs and barriers to employment that require intensive interventions.
(7) There is created the "Partnerships for Growth Fund" within the State Treasury which shall be used by the Mississippi Development Authority to implement the provisions of this act, pursuant to appropriation by the Legislature.
SECTION 2. Section 57-1-55, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
57-1-55. (1) The * * *
Mississippi Development Authority shall have the following general
powers and duties: To develop and manage programs which enhance the climate
for economic growth through assistance to private sector businesses, local
communities and individuals, and through an extensive national and
international marketing effort.
(2) The * * *
Mississippi Development Authority shall have the following general
powers and duties with respect to economic development:
(a) To plan, supervise and direct an active program of solicitation of industries to locate within the state;
(b) To prepare, maintain and disseminate information which is needed by companies in evaluating site locations;
(c) To consult with, advise and assist prospective industries wishing to locate within the state;
(d) To encourage new or expanding industries, which will add to the economy, to locate within the state;
(e) To maintain a coordinated liaison function with other development groups, including state and federal agencies, and planning and development districts, utility companies, chambers of commerce and railroads;
(f) To assist communities and counties within the state in preparation for economic growth;
(g) To assist new and existing business and industry and encourage their development and expansion;
(h) To plan and conduct a nationwide advertising program promoting the state to prospective industry. Any contract entered into for such purposes shall be advertised, bid and accepted in accordance with the same procedure as prescribed for the advertisement and acceptance of bids for the purchase of commodities and contracts for public purchases under Chapter 7, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972;
(i) To work with economic development agencies of the federal government in areas of industrial development and provide information to industrial prospects regarding the availability of federal funds and assistance;
(j) To work with the Department of Corrections, pursuant to the provisions of Section 47-5-501 et seq., in identifying and evaluating acceptable industries and businesses and in acting as an agent of the Department of Corrections by communicating with such concerns and aggressively soliciting their participation in the Correctional Industries Work Program;
(k) To perform related work as required;
(l) To disseminate
information about financial and other programs of the * * *
Mississippi Development Authority that will assist in the creation or
expansion of industries processing wood products in this state;
(m) To market processed and raw agricultural products domestically and abroad;
(n) To aid in the
establishment of business incubation centers by private business interests, not
for profit corporations, and/or governmental entities. The department may
provide funds by contract for the establishment of business incubation centers
and may contract for space in which business incubation centers will be
located. Business incubation centers are defined as facilities and support services
that encourage the establishment of successful small businesses by providing a
short-term sheltered environment. The department may solicit and accept grants
and other financial aid or support from private or public sources to aid in the
development of business incubation centers. In addition, advice and assistance
to established business incubation centers may be provided by the department; * * *
(o) To employ licensed
real estate brokers and appraisers necessary for the industrial development of
any real estate under the ownership or control of the * * *
Mississippi Development Authority. Any contract entered into for such
purposes shall be advertised, bid and accepted in accordance with the same
procedure as prescribed for the advertisement and acceptance of bids for the
purchase of commodities and contracts for public purchases under Chapter 7,
Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972 * * *; and
(p) To implement the provisions of the Partnerships for Growth Program established under this act.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.
