Explore Minnesota Tourism Budget Approved!

The Minnesota House and Senate have approved the Explore Minnesota Tourism budget as a part of the Jobs/Economic Development/Labor finance bill. The bill awaits the Governor’s signature. The bill provides a $33 million increase in funding to Explore Minnesota through a base budget increase, funding for new initiatives, grants for cultural festivals, and creation of Explore Minnesota for Business. The bill also provides funding for online hospitality training programs, Canadian border counties economic relief program, the ProStart and Hospitality Tourism Management Program.

Explore Minnesota

• Development of New Initiatives: $5.5 million in fiscal year 2024 and $5.5 million in fiscal year 2025 to Explore Minnesota Tourism for the development of new initiatives.
  • This appropriation will provide funding for Tourism Industry Grants and Minnesota Sports and Events

• Direct Appropriations: $6.647 million for the following grants:
  • Taste of Minnesota, $1.847 million (Minneapolis Downtown Council)
  • Stairstep Foundation, $1.2 million for African American cultural festivals and events
  • Somali Community and Cultural Festivals and Events:
  • Ka Joog, $400,000
  • Somali Museum of Minnesota, $400,000
  • ESHARA, $400,000
  • Latino Cultural Festivities and Events, $1.2 million (West Side Boosters)
  • Hmong International Freedom Festival event, $1.2 million (United Hmong Family)

• $11 million in fiscal year 2024 for Explore Minnesota Business (one-time appropriation)

• Explore Minnesota’s base budget will increase to $17.023 million per year beginning in fiscal year 2026.

The bill also includes policy language to modify the mission of Explore Minnesota, duties of the Explore Minnesota director, and duties of Explore Minnesota Councils. The bill creates “Explore Minnesota Business: as a division of Explore Minnesota and establishes the Explore Minnesota Business Council.

Other Funding:

• $250,000 grant to ProStart and Hospitality Tourism Management Program
• $400,000 grant to U of MN Tourism Center for creation and operation of an online hospitality training program in partnership with Explore Minnesota Tourism.
• $5 million grant for the Canadian Border Counties Economic Relief Program

Budget Spreadsheet

Bill Language

---

Thank you to everyone who testified in support of increased tourism funding, engaged with their local legislators, committee chairs, and bill authors to advocate for tourism and hospitality! 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sarah Psick
Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition Lobbyist
[email protected]

Budget Bills are Assembled

The 2023 Legislative session has moved into the budget phase and many House and Senate committees have been assembling budget bills ahead of today’s third committee deadline to complete this work. This includes committees with Explore Minnesota Tourism under their jurisdiction.

The House Economic Development Finance Omnibus bill, HF 3028 (DE Amendment) includes funding and policy language for the Tourism Industry Recovery grants program, as well as several of the Governor’s budget recommendations for Explore Minnesota Tourism. Spreadsheet

• $2 million Tourism Industry Recovery Grants (MTGC initiative)
• $11.8 for new initiatives (Governor’s recommendation), of this amount, the following grants are designated:
  • $6 million for large-scale sporting and other major events grants,
  • $2.2 million for grants to MN’s 11 Tribal Nations to promote and support new tourism opportunities,
  • $2 million to expand diversity, equity, inclusions, and accessibility through tourism marketing,
  • $1.25 million for tourism and hospitality industry grants and the Governor’s Opener events,
  • $176,000 to develop new resources and increase engagement for the tourism industry,
  • $174,000 to develop a long-term sustainability plan for tourism.
• $3.884 million FY24 and $746,000 FY25 to maintain current EMT service levels

On behalf of the Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition, I provided testimony supporting the House Economic Development Finance budget bill recommendations. Also, a letter from the Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition, Community of Minnesota Resorts, and Minnesota Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus was submitted to the committee in support of the House funding.

The Senate Jobs and Economic Development Finance Omnibus bill, SF 3035 (DE Amendment) includes funding for a couple of the Governor’s budget recommendations. Spreadsheet

• $3.884 million FY24 and $746,000FY25 to maintain current EMT service levels,
• $12 million FY24 one-time funding to develop Explore Minnesota for Business Division, plus policy language establishing Explore Minnesota Business Council, etc.
• $250,000 FY24 to Grand Portage.

The Senate budget bill does not include funding for the Tourism Industry Recovery grants or funding for the Governor’s new grants initiatives.

Letter in Support of House Funding

---

House & Senate Committee Chair Perspectives

As you read through the bill language and spreadsheets for the House and Senate budget bills, I think it would be helpful to listen to the opening comments from House Economic Development Finance Committee Chair Hodan Hassan and Senate Jobs and Economic Development Finance Committee Chair Bobby Joe Champion to understand their perspective as they made budgeting decisions. They each speak about a focus on getting state dollars to organizations and people who have not traditionally participated in economic development programs or received state funds, while also providing funding to state agencies and other organizations.

Watch Senator Champion Bill Presentation

Watch Representative Hassan Bill Presentation

---

What’s Next?

Legislative Break, Legislator Contacts

The Legislature will be taking an Easter/Passover break from 5:00 p.m. on April 4th and resuming legislative activity on Tuesday, April 11th. Following the break, the bills will be reviewed by the House Ways & Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee. Then, they will be voted on by the full House and Senate before moving to a conference committee to resolve the differences between the bills.

If you run into your local legislators while they are home on break, please encourage them to support funding for the Tourism Industry Recovery Grants and EMT funding included in the House Economic Development Finance bill.

I also encourage you to email or call the House and Senate Chairs with the following message:

Chair Hodan Hassan: Thank you for funding the Tourism Industry Recovery grant program and EMT budget grant recommendations in the House Economic Development Finance bill.

• [email protected]
• (651) 296-0294

Chair Bobby Joe Champion: Please include funding for the Tourism Industry Recovery grant program in the Senate Jobs and Economic Development Finance bill.

• [email protected]
• (651) 296-9246

Tourism Industry Recovery Grants

The Senate Jobs and Economic Development Committee has scheduled a hearing on SF 1794, the Tourism Industry Recovery Grants bill for Monday, March 13th at 12:30 p.m.

The bill is sponsored by Senators Hauschild (Hermantown), Putman (St. Cloud), Pratt (Prior Lake), and Rasmusson (Fergus Falls) and appropriates $10 million for a Tourism Industry Recovery grant program. The grant program would provide money to organizations, Tribal governments, and communities to accelerate the recovery of the state’s tourism industry. Grant funds may be used to support meetings, conventions and group business, multicommunity and high-visibility events, and tourism marketing.

The Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition is working with the bill author coordinating testimony with other industry partners in support of this important bill. You will be able watch the hearing on the Senate Media YouTube page: (142) Minnesota Senate Media Services – YouTube.

SF 1794 Coalition Letter of Support

---

EMT Council Membership Expansion

Legislation to expand the membership of the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council presented by EMT Director Lauren Bennet McGinty in two legislative committees this week. The bills, HF 1922/SF 2369 will increase the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council from 28 to 35 voting members. The new members would include representatives of statewide associations representing craft beverage establishments, chambers of commerce for underrepresented communities, and Tribal nations. Additional seats would also include representatives of tourism businesses representing arts and culture, sports, outdoor recreation, and tourism business owners from underrepresented communities. The bill was sent to the House Floor and in the Senate laid over for inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Watch Senate Bill Hearing

---

Send a Letter of Support for the Tourism Industry Recovery Grants

We would like to show broad industry support for the Tourism Industry Recovery Grants. Please consider writing a letter to the Senate and House Committee Chairs, asking for their support of SF 1794/HF 232. Letters should be addressed to:

Senator Bobby Joe Champion, Chair
Senate Jobs and Economic Development Committee
3401 Minnesota Senate Building
St. Paul, MN 55155

Representative Hodan Hassan, Chair
House Economic Develop. Finance & Policy Committee
597 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155

Letters may be emailed to:
[email protected]
[email protected]

Please also send me a separate copy of your letter, [email protected].

Thank you!

SF 1794/HF 232 Letter of Support Template

Tourism Industry Recovery Grants

Rep. Rick Hansen (D, South St. Paul) together with several bill co-authors, has introduced HF 232 which appropriates $10 million for a Tourism Industry Recovery grant program. The grant program would provide money to organizations, Tribal governments, and communities to accelerate the recovery of the state’s tourism industry. Grant funds may be used to support meetings, conventions and group business, multicommunity and high-visibility events, and tourism marketing. This bill was heard in the House Economic Development Committee recently with supporting testimony from Sarah Psick (Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition), Melvin Tennant (Meet Minneapolis), Tim Zunker (Shakopee Chamber and Visitors Bureau), and Julie Wearn (Visit Roseville). The committee members were very engaged in the discussion and recognized the value of tourism in the state’s economic growth and vitality. The bill was laid over for further discussion and will be considered as the committee continues work on budget issues.

A companion Tourism Industry Recover grant bill will be introduced soon in the Senate.

Many of you will be meeting with your local legislators and attending Days on the Hill – please encourage support of tourism industry grants and EMT funding!

HF 232 Letter of Support 

---

Governor Walz EMT Budget Proposal

Governor Walz has proposed an increase in the EMT base budget of $3.884 million in fiscal year 2024 and an increase of $746,000 in fiscal year 2025. The Governor has also proposed one-time funding of $5.9 million in each of fiscal years 2024 and 2025 for grants in several areas including supporting large-scale sporting events and other major events, group business and Governor’s openers, and promoting and supporting Tribal Nations. Additionally, the Governor is proposing $12 million in fiscal year 2024 to establish “Explore Minnesota for Business”, a new division within Explore Minnesota. EMT Director Lauren Bennet McGinty will be presenting the budget in legislative committees and over the next several weeks, the legislative committees with jurisdiction over tourism funding will review the budget request and put forward a legislative funding package for tourism.

Read More

The 2019 Legislative session began on January 8th with a new Governor, new Speaker of the House, new majority in the House of Representatives and a new President of the Senate.  The first couple weeks were filled with orientation for the 39 newly elected legislators, as well as training and orientation for many new staff members.  Committees have started to hold informational hearings to learn about the areas within the committee’s jurisdiction.

The Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition has been preparing for the 2019 Legislative session in many ways – preparing a tourism funding bill draft, updating the website, drafting talking points, meeting with legislators and staff, and more!  In the coming weeks we will introduce legislation to provide increased funding for the EMT marketing and grant programs, and continued funding of the New Events Grant Program.  Our first tourism committee hearing has been scheduled!  The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, February 6th at 1:00 p.m. at the Minnesota Senate Building, Room 1200 – following the conclusion of the EMT Annual Conference.  I hope you will plan to attend and show your support for tourism funding.

It is not too late to show your support for the MTGC legislative efforts.  We invite you to participate by becoming a supporting member – you can find more information at this link.  Every contribution is important and welcome, whether it’s the value of a night’s stay at your lodging facility, to a larger commitment – we thank you for your support.

We also ask that you submit a resolution of support for the work of the MTGC and legislative request for tourism funding.  You can easily submit a resolution by clicking on this link and completing the form.  All supporters will be listed on our handout at the Capitol – we want to show broad-based support across the state and tourism industry.  Feel free to pass along this link to others in the tourism and hospitality industry!

Thank you for your support.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Best,

Sarah Psick, Lobbyist
Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition
[email protected]
[email protected]

The seasons have changed, and it is the fall tourism season in Minnesota!  This means scenic drives to view the beautiful leaf colors, trips to the apple orchards, attending many of the wine stomps at wineries across the state, local festivals, Octoberfest and so much more!  But, that is not the only season that is upon us – it is also campaign season in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition (MTGC) was formed in 2013 by a group of tourism industry professionals, industry advocates and businesses throughout the state for the purpose of increasing awareness of the importance of the tourism industry in Minnesota and to advocate for increased tourism funding at the state legislature.  There are so many success stories to share about the impact of tourism funding, how the benefits are realized across the state of Minnesota from the major metropolitan areas, to regional centers, in our smaller communities, and at special events.  Big and small businesses from hotels and resorts to restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores and printing businesses all benefit from tourism.  Tourism investment is the front door to economic development in our state!

Many of you will be hosting local and statewide candidate forums in your area, and you will have the opportunity to talk with candidates as they meet with constituents and community leaders.  I encourage you to share the attached tourism funding talking points (linked here) with the candidates you meet.  In addition, at the direction of the EMT Council, Explore Minnesota Tourism (EMT) staff have prepared a white paper, “Increase Minnesota’s Competitiveness as a Premier Travel Destination.”  This white paper can be found above under the “Why more funding?” tab.

The tourism budget will be a focus of the 2019 legislative session.  MTGC and EMT will be seeking increased funding for tourism and continued funding of the major tourism events grant program.  Please take the time to ask candidates to pledge their support of increased tourism funding in the state’s budget.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask us.

Thank you for your support of tourism in Minnesota!

Best,

Sarah Psick, Lobbyist
Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition
[email protected]
[email protected]

The Minnesota summer tourism season is alive and well in Minnesota!  It’s been a mix of heat, storms and beautiful summer days – in Minnesota, we know how to adapt our day to any kind of weather.  Parades, festivals, concerts, and activities are happening across the state from the X-Games coming to Minneapolis this week, to Paul Bunyan Days in Akeley, Turtle Races in Perham, Sinclair Lewis Days in Sauk Centre, the Wilder Pageant in Walnut Grove, the Blueberry/Arts Festival in Ely, Heritage Days in East Grand Forks, the Boats & Bluegrass Festival in Winona and more!

The 2018 legislative session ended with several vetoes and very little passing into law.  Since it was not a budget year, there was no threat of a possible government shut-down and most legislators left to hit the campaign trail.  The MTGC testified in several committee hearings, educating legislators about the economic impact of tourism and sharing success stories from the first few rounds of major events funding grants.  These real-life stories hit home with legislators when they can see how the state’s investments are put to work.

One of the few bills which passed was the capital projects or bonding bill.  This bill provided funding for projects across the state, and many will benefit tourism.  Some of the projects which received funding include: Glensheen Mansion, Minnesota Zoo, Historic Fort Snelling, Children’s Theatre Company, Litchfield Opera House, Wabasha Eagle Center, as well as several state parks, and state, regional, and local trails.   A full list of funded projects can be found at this link: bonding bill spreadsheet.

Another bill of interest becomes law on August 1, 2018, which makes it a crime for a person to directly or indirectly intentionally misrepresent an animal as a service animal in any place of public accommodation in order to obtain rights or privileges available to a person who qualifies for a service animal.  The full text of the bill can be found at this link: service animal law.

As you are hosting events in your community or attending an event, you likely will run into a legislator (or two!) or a candidate running for office.  Please take the time to tell your tourism story – the economic impact of tourism to your community, the benefits of a strong tourism industry, the impact on jobs and hospitality, etc.  Making these personal connections will be so important as we head into the 2019 legislative session and the next tourism state budget is appropriated.

Watch your e-mail later this summer for tips and talking points to share with local and state leaders relating to tourism as the election season heats up.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your support of tourism in Minnesota!

Sincerely,

Sarah Psick, Lobbyist
Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition
[email protected]
[email protected]

The 2018 Legislature has entered the final weeks of session and the focus has been narrowed down to the supplemental budget, taxes and capital investment (bonding).  Legislative action must be completed by the constitutional deadline of Monday, May 21, 2018.

As the supplemental budget bills have been assembled, several state agencies were hit with budget cuts across a variety of funding areas.  Thankfully, Explore Minnesota Tourism was not asked to cut its budget or reduce any of its programs. Earlier this session, the Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition (MTGC) awarded the 2017 MTGC “Tourism Leadership Award” to Senator Carrie Ruud and Representative Dan Fabian.  These legislators were recognized for their steadfast commitment to tourism and leadership in securing funding for EMT and the tourism events grant program.

Also this session, the MTGC, EMT, Community of Minnesota Resorts, MACVB and community leaders from the tourism industry appeared before the House and Senate Environment Committees.  Testifiers presented information about the economic benefits from tourism funding and the first rounds of the EMT tourism events grant program.  Click here to watch the House Environment Committee hearing video or the Senate Environment Committee hearing video.

I have had the pleasure of seeing many of you in St. Paul over the past few months and throughout the legislative session, as you have been at the Capitol representing your community, attending “Day at the Capitol” events, and meeting with legislators.

Thank you for your support of tourism in Minnesota!

If you have any questions regarding legislative issues, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Sarah Psick, Lobbyist
Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition
[email protected]
[email protected]

The 2018 Legislature is back in session and they have hit the ground running! The main goal of the legislative session will be adoption of a bonding or capital improvements budget bill. The Governor has recommended a $1.5 billion set of projects which the legislature will examine when putting together their own bill. Additional priorities for this legislative session will include a focus on the sweeping tax changes passed by the federal government. The Minnesota legislature is looking to pass a tax bill this session to adopt conforming changes and avoid tax increases for Minnesotans. The updated February budget forecast predicts a $329 million budget surplus. The Governor and legislature will debate how to spend these funds. Among the items vying for funding are the motor vehicle registration system (MNLARS) which became a complete mess and requires an additional investment to fix, legislation to tackle the growing opioid addiction epidemic and ways to address the recent reports of elder abuse and neglect.

Because 2018 is not a budget-setting session, we are taking the time to educate legislators about the value of tourism investments. Many of you have already been at the Capitol for various “Day on the Hill” activities or you will be over the next few weeks. When you meet with legislators, please take the time to say thank you for their support of tourism funding. In addition, feel free to share this handout with important tourism information and facts. Remember, tourism is the “front door” to economic development.

On Wednesday, March 14th the House and Senate committees with jurisdiction over tourism will hold legislative hearings regarding tourism in Minnesota. Presenting at these hearings will be:

• John Edman, Explore Minnesota Tourism
• Nick Leonard, Otter Tail Tourism and Economic Development
• Darin Rahm, Marshall Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Joe Henry, Lake of the Woods Tourism and Minnesota Convention and Visitors Bureau Association.

Included in the presentations will be examples of how the first rounds of major events funding grants have been put to use. Over the past few sessions, the Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition (MTGC) successfully advocated for funding of this grant program. These hearings are a great opportunity to update the legislators on the value of these grant programs.

If you are at the Capitol, please plan to attend one or both of these hearings:

House Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance
8:15 a.m., State Office Building Room 5

Senate Environment and Natural Resources Finance
10:30 a.m., Minnesota Senate Building Room 1150

The hearings may also be broadcast on the House and Senate webcast, you can access the schedule at this link: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/multimedia

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your support of tourism in Minnesota!

Sincerely,

Sarah Psick, Lobbyist
Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition
[email protected]
[email protected]

For a printable version of this information click here.