1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to workforce development; appropriating money for a grant to 
1.3 	WomenVenture.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; WOMENVENTURE.
 1.6 	(a) $8,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the workforce development fund 
1.7 	to the commissioner of employment and economic development for a grant to 
1.8 	WomenVenture. This appropriation is onetime and available until June 30, 2027.
1.9 	(b) Grants may be used for:
1.10 	(1) supporting child care providers with business training, service programs, and 
1.11 	educational materials;
1.12 	(2) pooling management of payroll, banking, and other services;
1.13 	(3) shared administrative staff for tasks such as record keeping and reporting 
1.14 	requirements;
1.15 	(4) coordination of bulk purchasing;
1.16 	(5) management of a substitute pool;
1.17 	(6) mentoring child care providers;
1.18 	(7) providing child care management software and training thereon and other services 
1.19 	approved by the commissioner.
2.1 	(c) Grants may be used to support child care providers through access to capital to 
2.2 	maintain, expand, or otherwise improve child care facilities and operations, including: 
2.3 	leasehold improvements; rehabilitating, improving, remodeling, or altering business space; 
2.4 	purchase of inventory, supplies, or equipment; working capital; debt refinancing; or the 
2.5 	acquisition, design, construction, furnishing, and equipment of business space.
2.6 	(d) WomenVenture may distribute the award through subgrants and loans, which may 
2.7 	be forgivable at the discretion of WomenVenture.
2.8 	(e) Up to ten percent of the appropriation may be used for administrative costs of 
2.9 	WomenVenture.