Minnesota Administrative Rules Agency 140 - Urban Initiative Board
Here’s a comprehensive overview of Minnesota Administrative Rules – Agency 140 (Urban Initiative Board):
📘 What It Is
Agency 140 – Urban Initiative Board governs Minnesota’s Urban Challenge Grant Program, codified under Chapter 4355 in the Minnesota Administrative Rules (law.cornell.edu).
📑 Scope of the Rules
Chapter 4355 includes Parts 4355.0100 to 4355.0500:
4355.0100 – Purpose
4355.0200 – Definitions
4355.0300 – Business Loans by Nonprofit Corporations
4355.0400 – Business Loans by the Board
4355.0500 – Business Loan Criteria (law.cornell.edu)
Part 4355.0300 details how the board allocates urban revolving loan funds to nonprofit organizations that then provide loans to businesses in low-income areas, including application and grant-agreement requirements (regulations.justia.com).
🏛️ Agency Status & Historical Note
The Urban Initiative Board was created in 1993 under Minnesota Statute 116M.15 to promote minority business enterprise development and economic diversification in low-income urban areas (lrl.mn.gov).
It functioned until July 1, 2016, when it was repealed and replaced by the Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Program (lrl.mn.gov).
🔍 Practical Implications
Are these rules still active?
The administrative rules in Chapter 4355 remain in place, outlining the framework of the former program.
Is the Board still functioning?
No—the Urban Initiative Board ceased operations in 2016, and its responsibilities were transferred to the Emerging Entrepreneur Program managed under DEED (law.cornell.edu, senate.mn).
✅ Next Steps
Confirm if Chapter 4355 is still “live” via the Office of the Revisor's website to ensure no parts have been withdrawn or marked “obsolete.”
For current programs, look into DEED’s Emerging Entrepreneur Program, which likely contains successor initiatives for low-income and minority business support.
Check Minnesota Statutes 116M.15 et seq. for statutory authority and updates.
🧭 Summary
Element
Status
Rules (Chapter 4355 Parts .0100–.0500)
Still published in MN Rules
Agency
Discontinued in 2016, replaced by Emerging Entrepreneur Program
Current admin
DEED via new board/program
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