Wisconsin Legislature: 9,2952

560.13 (2) (a) 1. The recipient uses the grant proceeds for brownfields redevelopment or associated environmental remediation activities or for a project relating to the remediation of area-wide groundwater contamination.

9,2938f Section 2938f. 560.13 (2) (a) 2. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

560.13 (2) (a) 2. (intro.) All of the following are unknown, cannot be located or are financially unable to pay the cost of brownfields redevelopment or associated environmental remediation activities or of a groundwater contamination remediation project:

9,2939n Section 2939n. 560.13 (3) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

560.13 (3) (c) In awarding grants under this section, beginning with grants awarded in fiscal year 2000-01, the department shall accord a weight to a project's job creation potential that is approximately 50% of the weight accorded that factor in awarding grants under this section before fiscal year 2000-01.

9,2944c Section 2944c. 560.13 (4) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

560.13 (4) (a) (intro.) From the appropriations under s. 20.143 (1) (br) and (qm) in fiscal year 1997-98, and from the appropriation under s. 20.143 (1) (qm) in fiscal year 1998-99 1999-2000, the department shall award all of the following in each of those fiscal years:

9,2945c Section 2945c. 560.13 (4) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

560.13 (4) (a) 1. A total of $750,000 $870,000 in grants that do not exceed $300,000.

9,2945d Section 2945d. 560.13 (4) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

560.13 (4) (a) 2. A total of $1,750,000 $2,030,000 in grants that are greater than $300,000 but that do not exceed $700,000.

9,2945e Section 2945e. 560.13 (4) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

560.13 (4) (a) 3. A total of $2,500,000 $2,900,000 in grants that are greater than $700,000 but that do not exceed $1,250,000.

9,2945m Section 2945m. 560.13 (4) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

560.13 (4) (am) From the appropriations under s. 20.143 (1) (br) and (qm) in fiscal year 2000-01, the department shall award all of the following:

1. A total of $960,000 in grants that do not exceed $300,000.

2. A total of $2,240,000 in grants that are greater than $300,000 but that do not exceed $700,000.

3. A total of $3,200,000 in grants that are greater than $700,000 but that do not exceed $1,250,000.

4. At least $ 1,400,000 in grants for projects evaluated without consideration of the number of jobs that will be created by the projects.

9,2948c Section 2948c. 560.13 (6m) of the statutes is created to read:

560.13 (6m) Receipt of a grant under this section shall not render the recipient ineligible for a loan or any other grant awarded by the state, unless under the eligibility criteria of the loan or other grant the recipient is excluded by virtue of having received the grant.

9,2952 Section 2952. 560.137 of the statutes is created to read:

560.137 Gaming economic development grants and loans. (1) In this section:

(a) "Native American business" means a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or corporation that is at least 51% owned, controlled and actively managed by a member or members of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state.

(b) "Professional services" has the meaning given in s. 560.17 (1) (c).

(c) "Qualified business" means an existing business, including a Native American business, that is located in this state.

(2) Subject to subs. (3), (4) and (5), from the appropriations under s. 20.143 (1) (ig) and (kj), the department may do all of the following:

(a) Make a grant that does not exceed $15,000 to a qualified business for professional services.

(b) Make a grant or loan that does not exceed $100,000 to a qualified business for fixed asset financing.

(3) The department may not make a grant or loan to a qualified business under this section unless the department determines all of the following:

(a) That the qualified business has been negatively impacted by the existence of a casino.

(b) That the qualified business has a legitimate need for the grant or loan to improve the profitability of the business.

(4) As a condition of approval of a grant or loan under this section, the department shall require that the qualified business provide matching funds for at least 25% of the cost of the project. The department may waive the requirement under this subsection if the department determines that the qualified business is subject to extreme financial hardship.

(5) The department may not award a grant or loan under this section to a qualified business for any purpose that is related to tourism unless the department of tourism concurs in the award.

(6) (a) The department shall deposit into the appropriation account under s. 20.143 (1) (ig) all moneys received in repayment of loans made under this section.

(b) The department may forgive all or any part of a loan made under this section.

9,2953 Section 2953. 560.138 of the statutes is created to read:

560.138 Gaming economic diversification grants and loans. (1) In this

section:

(b) "Qualified business" means an existing business, including a Native American business, that is located in or expanding into this state.

(2) (a) Subject to subs. (3) and (4), from the appropriations under s. 20.143 (1) (id) and (km), the department may make a grant or loan to a qualified business for a project for the purpose of diversifying the economy of a community.

(b) In determining whether to award a grant or loan under this section, the department shall consider all of the following:

1. A project's potential to retain or increase the number of jobs.

2. A project's potential to provide for significant capital investment.

3. A project's contribution to the economy of the community.

(3) As a condition of approval of a grant or loan under this section, the department shall require that a qualified business provide matching funds for at least 25% of the cost of a project.

(4) The department may not award a grant or loan under this section to a qualified business for any purpose that is related to tourism unless the department of tourism concurs in the award.

(5) The department shall deposit into the appropriation account under s. 20.143 (1) (id) all moneys received in repayment of loans made under this section.

9,2953g Section 2953g. 560.139 of the statutes is created to read:

560.139 Economic development grants. (1) Remediation and economic redevelopment. (a) Subject to par. (b), from the appropriation under s. 20.143 (1) (kj), the department shall make grants annually to the city of Milwaukee to fund a program to be administered by the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation. Under the program, the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation shall provide grants to persons for remediation and economic redevelopment projects in the Menomonee valley. A person may not receive a grant unless the person provides matching funds for at least 50% of the cost of the project.

(b) The department may not expend more than $900,000 in grants to the city of Milwaukee under this subsection annually.

(2) Community-based venture fund. (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.143 (1) (kj), the department shall make grants to the Northwest Regional Planning Commission to match federal or private funds for the purpose of establishing a community-based venture fund. Subject to par. (b), the department shall provide grants each year in an amount that equals 50% of the total amount that the Northwest Regional Planning Commission receives in the year from federal or private sources for the community-based venture fund.

(b) The department may not expend more than $150,000 in grants under this subsection annually.

9,2953h Section 2953h. 560.139 (1) (a) of the statutes, as created by 1999 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

560.139 (1) (a) Subject to par. (b), from the appropriation under s. 20.143 (1) (kj) or (km) or from both appropriations, the department shall make grants annually to the city of Milwaukee to fund a program to be administered by the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation. Under the program, the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation shall provide grants to persons for remediation and economic redevelopment projects in the Menomonee valley. A person may not receive a grant unless the person provides matching funds for at least 50% of the cost of the project.

9,2953i Section 2953i. 560.139 (2) (a) of the statutes, as created by 1999 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

560.139 (2) (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.143 (1) (kj) or (km) or from both appropriations, the department shall make grants to the Northwest Regional Planning Commission to match federal or private funds for the purpose of establishing a community-based venture fund. Subject to par. (b), the department shall provide grants each year in an amount that equals 50% of the total amount that the Northwest Regional Planning Commission receives in the year from federal or private sources for the community-based venture fund.

9,2954 Section 2954. 560.14 (4) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 560.14 (4), and 560.14 (4) (intro.), (f) and (g), as renumbered, are amended to read:

560.14 (4) (intro.) Subject to par. (b), the The department may make a grant under this subsection from the appropriation under s. 20.143 (1) (fg) to a community-based organization for regional economic development activity if all of the following apply:

(f) The applicants submit a plan that describes the economic development activity, how the economic development activity satisfies the criteria under this paragraph subsection, how the grant will be administered and how the grant proceeds will be used to support the economic development activity; and the secretary approves the plan.

(g) The applicants provide documentation of the contributions required under subd. 5 par. (e).

9,2955 Section 2955. 560.14 (4) (b) of the statutes is repealed.

9,2955m Section 2955m. 560.17 (5r) of the statutes is created to read:

560.17 (5r) (a) Under this subsection, the board may award to a business a loan that does not exceed $50,000 if all of the following apply:

1. The business, together with any affiliate, subsidiary or parent entity, has fewer than 50 employes.

2. The business is or will be located in a rural municipality.

3. The rural municipality in which the business is or will be located satisfies either of the following criteria:

a. The rural municipality is located in a county that has a median household income that is lower than the state median household income.

b. If the rural municipality is located in a county that has a median household income that is higher than the state median household income, the rural municipality has a median household income that is lower than the county median household income.

4. The business is starting or expanding its operations.

5. The operations of the business do not involve metallic mining activities.

6. The owner of the business attends a class that provides instruction in writing a business plan, making a business loan application and managing a start-up business.

(b) A business applying for a loan under this subsection must submit an application package that includes a business plan and such personal and business financial information as the board requires to enable the board to assess sufficiently the potential viability of the business. The department shall assist a business in preparing an application.

1. The purchase or improvement of land.

2. The purchase of buildings, furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment or inventory.

3. Job training costs.

4. Employe relocation costs.

5. Working capital.

(d) If a business that receives a loan under this subsection uses the loan proceeds for employe relocation costs under par. (c) 4., the department shall ensure all of the following:

1. That an employe of the business has the option of accepting or declining any relocation assistance that is available as a result of the loan.

2. That the compensation and benefits terms offered at the new location are at least as favorable as those offered by the business at its previous location.

9,2955p Section 2955p. 560.17 (6m) of the statutes is renumbered 560.17 (6m) (a) and amended to read:

560.17 (6m) (a) In Except as provided in par. (b), in order to receive a grant or loan under this section a person or business shall contribute cash, from a source other than the state, in an amount that equals at least 25% of the total cost of the project.

9,2955q Section 2955q. 560.17 (6m) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

560.17 (6m) (b) The board shall determine whether, and the extent to which, in order to receive a loan under sub. (5r), a business must contribute from a source other than the state a portion of the cost of the project, except that the board may not require a business to contribute more than 20% of the cost of the project. The contribution may be in cash or in kind. The board shall determine what services or materials may be used as in-kind contributions.

9,2955r Section 2955r. 560.17 (7) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

560.17 (7) (a) Except as provided in par. (am), the department shall designate staff to evaluate applications for grants or loans and assist the board under this section. The board shall act on an application for a grant or loan at its next regularly scheduled meeting after the department determines that the application is complete, except that the board shall act on an application for a loan under sub. (5r) and advise the applicant of its decision within 45 days after the department determines that the application is complete.