Greater Minnesota Job Expansion Program

Greater Minnesota Job Expansion Program is DEED's sales-tax refund route for traded-sector businesses outside the Twin Cities metro that grow employment. It operates through a seven-year certification period and is jointly administered with the Minnesota Department of Revenue, which processes the refunds. The program is aimed at companies that can create measurable job growth in Greater Minnesota rather than local-market retail. A qualifying business can receive up to $2 million a year and up to $10 million over the full certification period, with a statewide fiscal-year cap of $7 million. To qualify, the company needs to be in operation at least one year, add at least two full-time-equivalent jobs or 10 percent of headcount within three years, and pay compensation at or above 120 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Eligible spending includes tangible personal property, taxable services, and construction materials and supplies, and applications stay open until annual funds run out. Larger awards can also trigger a public hearing and application fee under DEED's process. The program works best for firms that are already established in Greater Minnesota and can document a real job-creation plan. It excludes businesses tied to retail, utility, lobbying, gambling, entertainment, sports, and several professional services, so the route is narrower than a general incentive. For applicants that meet the wage and hiring tests, it is a substantial refund program rather than a small local rebate.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.