SE Minnesota News

The Minnesota Senate passed a $330 million emergency COVID-19 relief package on March 26 that will go toward critical programs. 

It's the third relief package passed by the Senate and will be used to supply loans to farmers and businesses that have less than 250 workers. It will also be used for individual relief for the unemployed, child care, veterans, college students and homeless shelters and food banks, according to the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus. 

It also created a COVID-19 Minnesota Fund to use for coronavirus expenditures. 

Senate President Jeremy Miller said COVID-19 is also greatly affecting the state's economy and the Senate is working to supply funding to help Minnesota as much as it can.

“These are extremely difficult and uncertain times. This virus is not just impacting our health, it’s causing anxiety and economic hardship. The Minnesota Senate is working diligently with the House and Governor’s Office on much needed funding to help make sure Minnesotans are protected as much as possible," Miller said in a statement. "This bipartisan bill will bring some important – and timely – relief to Minnesotans who are facing the loss of programs or economic hardship, including relief for laid-off workers, child care providers, veterans, homeless shelters, food shelves, college students, farmers, and small businesses. The bill also funds the COVID-19 Minnesota Fund to help continue preparing the state and health care systems for the coronavirus pandemic.”

The bill will include relief for those unemployed due to the financial crisis, give funding to help veterans with child care, bills, loss of work and other issues, provide more funding to food shelves and give emergency loans to small businesses that have less than 250 employees, according to the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus. It will also help farmers have access to emergency loans, secure work studies and other grant programs for college students and increase room and board limits for homeless shelters. 

Miller also pointed out in a Facebook post that the bill will help out child care providers, who can begin applying for emergency child care grants immediately. 

"The coronavirus response bill we passed last week included almost $30 million for emergency child care grants," Miller said on Facebook. "If you are a licensed provider, you can begin applying right now."

All applications are due on April 15, Miller said. To complete an application or find more information on eligibility, residents should visit Minnesota government's website.