Minnesota Job Creation Fund

Minnesota Job Creation Fund

Supports Minnesota employers creating high-quality jobs with incentives tied to facility investment and performance.

The Minnesota Job Creation Fund (JCF), administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and recognized as a winner of the Economic Development Association of Minnesota's award, provides performance-based financial incentives to new and expanding businesses engaged in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, or technology-related activities. Companies can receive up to $1 million — or up to $2 million in some cases — through a combination of annual per-job credits paid over a five-year period and a rebate on real property improvements. Per-job credits range from $1,000 to $4,000 per job per year (doubled for Targeted Population businesses) depending on wage level, and property improvement rebates are 5 percent in the Twin Cities metro area and 7.5 percent in Greater Minnesota.

To qualify, a business must invest at least $500,000 in real property improvements within one year of designation ($250,000 for Targeted Populations, which include businesses in Greater Minnesota or those 51 percent or more owned by minorities, veterans, women, or persons with disabilities) and create at least 10 new permanent full-time jobs within two years ($17.01 per hour minimum wage in 2026, updated each January 1). The project must not have started and must have viable location alternatives outside Minnesota. Awards over $500,000 require a DEED public hearing, and projects receiving $200,000 or more are subject to prevailing wage requirements. Applications must be submitted through the local city, county, or township government — businesses cannot apply to DEED directly.

Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis. The local government must first pass a council resolution supporting the project, then submit on the business's behalf. DEED's contact for this program is Tom Washa at tom.washa@state.mn.us or 651-259-7483. Manufacturing, warehousing, and technology companies planning significant capital investment in Minnesota facilities and prepared to meet the job-creation targets represent the core eligible audience.