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Resolution Approving Updated Guidelines for the HRA Business Assistance Fund
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WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota (the "HRA") is a public body corporate and politic established pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.001, et seq. (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, the HRA has the power to engage in development or redevelopment activities under Minnesota law and the HRA is authorized to engage in activities relating to (a) housing projects and development, (b) removal and prevention of the spread of conditions of blight or deterioration, (c) bringing substandard buildings and improvements into compliance with public standards, (d) disposition of land for private redevelopment, and (e) improving the tax base and the financial stability of the community, and to engage in the aforementioned activities when these needs cannot be met through reliance solely upon private initiative and which can also be undertaken in targeted neighborhoods; and is authorized to create redevelopment projects as defined in Minn Stat Section 469.002, Subd. 14; and
WHEREAS, at the February 9, 2022 meeting of the HRA Board of Commissioners (the “HRA Board”) through the passage of RES 22-125 the HRA Board adopted guidelines for the HRA Business Assistance Fund (the “Business Assistance Fund”) to guide how Business Assistance Fund dollars are spent in the City of Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, at its December 3, 2025 meeting, the HRA Board through passage of RES 25-1878 approved funding for a Downtown Vitality Fund which will provide funding to eligible projects located in Downtown Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, at a result of the December 2025 HRA Board meeting, staff created guidelines to establish a Downtown Vitality Fund within its existing Business Assistance Fund guidelines; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends approval of the updated Business Assistance Fund guidelines to include the establishment of the Downtown Vitality Fund and to better align the program guidelines with current business and economic conditions; and
WHEREAS, the updated guidelines for the Business Assistance Fund, are attached hereto and outlined in the accompanying Board Report; and
WHEREAS, by passage of this Resolution, the HRA Board finds a public purpose in providing financing to Saint Paul businesses as contemplated by the guidelines attached hereto and as described in the accompanying Board Report; now, therefore, be it:
RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota that:
1. The HRA Board of Commissioners hereby approves the establishment of the Downtown Vitality Fund and the updated Business Assistance Fund Guidelines that are attached to this Resolution and described in the accompanying Board Report.
2. The HRA Executive Director, staff, and legal counsel for the HRA are hereby authorized to take all actions necessary to implement this Resolution, and the HRA’s Executive Director is authorized to execute any documents and instruments necessary to carry out this Resolution.