Consultants Forum Advertise
Subscribe
Area Development Magazine Current Issue

  • Free for qualified executives and consultants to industry

  • Receive quarterly issues of Area Development Magazine and special market report and directory issues

Subscribe Now
Renew

Area Development

Minnesota Direct Financial Incentives

Minnesota's economic development, finance and tax organizations provide a range of incentive programs to initiate new business and commercial investment.

Corporate Taxes & Incentives Guide
Job Creation Fund
Minnesota’s Job Creation Fund “JCF” can provide up to $1,000,000 in grants to approved businesses after specific job creation and investment goals are achieved (minimum 10 jobs created and $500,000 in capital investment). The grants are provided in the form of capital investment rebates and job creation awards.

The program allows for up to $2,000,000 in capital investment and job creation rebates for large projects with capital investment in excess of $25 Million and the creation of 200 or more qualifying jobs.

A 7.5% (Greater Minnesota) or 5.0% (Twin Cities Metro Area) capital investment rebate of up to $500,000 (or $1,000,000 for large projects) is available to qualifying projects. The rebate applies to all activities associated with improvements to real property (e.g., land and buildings) including construction materials, supplies, and labor. JCF also includes job creation awards of up to $500,000 (or $1,000,000 for large projects). Annual job creation awards of up to $3,000 per job are available based on the following schedule: $1,000 per job at $26-35,000, $2,000 per job at $35-45,000, and $3,000 per job at wages above $45,000 per year.

Both the rebate and the annual job creation award are available once agreed-upon capital investment and job creation goals have been achieved. Funds are available for up to 5 years (Twin Cities Metro Area) or 7 Years (Greater Minnesota) or until the dollars allocated to the project have been fully disbursed, whichever occurs first. The program also allows for a capital investment award for large job retention projects.

Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF):
MIF provides below-market financing for businesses acquiring "fixed assets" (such as equipment, buildings, and land) and adding new jobs. The project must meet the agreed-upon criteria for private investment, number of jobs created or retained, and wages paid. There is a maximum of $500,000 per project (which can be forgiven) and at least 50% of total project costs must be privately financed through owner equity and other lending sources. Terms are for a maximum of 20 years for real estate and generally 7 years for machinery and equipment. Interest rates are negotiable.

Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP):
Provides state grants of up to $400,000 to educational institutions for the development of customized training programs in partnership with businesses that meet specific business needs. The MJSP program works with businesses and educational institutions to train or retrain workers, expand work opportunities and keep high-quality jobs in the state. The goal is to target short-term training for full-time employment in the growth sectors of the state’s economy. Training projects pair at least one public or private accredited Minnesota educational institution and one business.

Angel Investment Tax Credit:
Minnesota's Angel Investment Tax Credit stimulates investment in early-stage companies through an investment tax credit. The program provides a 25 percent income tax credit for investments into qualified technology businesses. A unique feature of the program is that the credit can be "refundable," meaning that an investor who has no tax liability in Minnesota can make an investment into a qualified Minnesota firm and receive a full refund for the eligible credit amount.

Angel Loan Fund:
Minnesota's Angel Loan Fund “ALF” provides a funding option for businesses certified to participate in the Angel Tax Credit Program. ALF offers direct loans to qualified businesses for up to 10% of the total amount of equity investment received by the business in a 12-month funding round. The terms are 0% interest for 7 years, non-recourse, with a balloon payment. Loan amounts range for a minimum of $20,000 to a maximum of $250,000. Funds may be used for start-up costs, working capital, business acquisitions and expansions, franchise financing, equipment loans, inventory financing, construction, commercial, and non-passive real estate acquisitions.

Research and Development Tax Credit:
The research and development tax credit has been improved by doubling the size of the credit and expanding the program to include more business entities. The credit for R&D is 10% of the first $2,000,000 in eligible expenses and 2.5% of eligible expenses in excess of $2,000,000. Individuals involved in partnerships, S-Corporations, and limited liability companies are allowed to claim the credit against their individual income taxes. This is a refundable credit.

Data Center Incentive Program:
Minnesota is aggressively pursuing new data and network operation center projects by offering a sales tax exemption on enterprise information technology equipment, electricity used in the operation of the center, and computer software (refund). In addition, there is no personal property tax levy. To qualify, the facility must be at least 25,000 square feet and include at least $30,000,000 of capital investment within the first four years. Businesses also realize significant savings on cooling costs due to our cooler climate, our low-cost and abundant water supply, and cost-competitive reliable energy sources.

Small Business Development Loan Program:
For established manufacturers with fixed asset expansion costs in excess of $1,000,000 and adding a substantial number of new jobs. Through industrial development bonds, the Agricultural and Economic Development Board can support a loan at below market interest rates. Interest rates are the market rate of interest for similar securities at the time the bonds are sold. Rates are fixed for the life of the loan and terms can be for up to 20 years for real estate, 10 years or 80% of the useful life for equipment, and may not exceed the weighted average useful life of the assets financed.

Infrastructure assistance:
The Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program provides up to 50 percent of the capital costs of the public infrastructure to help support the economic success of communities outside the seven-county metropolitan area. The Innovative Business Development Public Infrastructure (BDPI) Program provides grants to local governmental units for up to 50 percent of the capital cost of the public infrastructure necessary to expand or retain jobs in new innovative businesses and organization. The Small Cities Development Program awards grants to help develop or redevelop small communities through new or rehabilitating existing housing, constructing or rehabilitating public infrastructure, and assisting businesses and industries.

Greater Minnesota Job Expansion Program:
The Greater Minnesota Job Expansion Program provides tax benefits to businesses located in Greater Minnesota that increase employment. Qualifying businesses that meet job-growth goals may receive sales tax refunds for purchases made during a seven-year period. Purchases and use of tangible personal property and taxable services made by a qualified business are eligible for a sales tax refund. The purchase must be made, and the property or service must be delivered, during the business’ certification period. The purchase and use of construction materials and supplies for property improvements by a qualified business in Greater Minnesota are also eligible for a sales tax refund. This refund applies whether the purchases are made directly by the business or by a contractor. The maximum sales tax refund amount for each qualifying business is based on the application material submitted to DEED, subject to a maximum of $2 million annually and $10 million over the seven-year certification period.

State Contact:
Business Development Office
651-259-7432
economic.development@state.mn.us Incentive and tax information is provided to Area Development by each state's economic development or commerce agency for information purposes only and is subject to revision at any time by the state government. Please contact the state agency directly for full requirements and offerings. This information was last updated October 2015.

Podcast

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Magazine

Past Issues
Area Development Magazine Q1 2026
Q1 2026

Receive quarterly issues of Area Development Magazine at no charge for qualified executives and consultants to industry.

Exclusive Research