FAQs
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Minnesota Convention Center Relief Grant Program. New information will be added as it becomes available. Please check back frequently.
How does the applicant determine the percentage decrease in overall operational revenue from 2019 to 2020?
*Overall Operational Revenue includes all revenue at the convention center location from April 1 to September 30 in 2019 versus April 1 to September 30 in 2020. For the purposes of this grant, all revenue in Q2 and Q3 2020 should include deferred revenue as long as the revenue was realized by December 31, 2020.
Should funds that were received via the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) be included in your overall operational revenue for 2020 if received in Q2 and Q3 2020?
If the funds have been forgiven, the monies should be included.
How can the applicant verify if the business has any Minnesota tax liens against it with the Minnesota Office of Secretary of State (OSS)?
A person can look up tax liens by visiting the Secretary of State website.
Can a local government be eligible if they are delinquent on any tax payments that are required to be remitted to the State?
No, as a local government is required to be up-to-date on any state or local taxes that shall be collected and remitted to the state like but not limited to liquor, lodging, and tourism, etc.
How are grant amounts determined?
The total allowable grant funds for the program depends on the number of applicants for this program and the Movie Theater Relief Grant Program. The State intents to award multiple grant agreements and awards will be based on upon qualifying responsive and responsible application(s).
Eligible businesses that are convention centers shall receive a grant proportional to the size of the venue and its workforce, with no convention center receiving a grant of more than $500,000.
How is the size of the venue determined?
For the convention center to qualify, the building needs to allow for an occupant load of 1,500 people or more. Please refer to the Minnesota State Fire Code to determine the building’s maximum occupant load. DEED may request further evidence to make a final determination on size of venue if necessary.
How is the square footage of the venue determined?
For determining the size of the building, please include space that is used primarily to host large meetings or conventions in the Twin Cities metro area or multi-purpose facility space used for large meetings or conventions outside the Twin Cities metro area as rentable space and all space that directly supports that space including back house, office and storage that is within the same facility. Do not include space located off-site or used for secondary purposes.
What is meant by workforce when determining the number of employees at the Convention Center?
DEED will be asking how many total Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions existed at the convention center in 2019 on the convention center's payroll. To determine the number of FTE positions, take the total number of hours worked at the facility by Full-Time, Part-Time, Seasonal, and Temporary Employees in 2019 divided by 2,080 hours. Contracted employees shall be excluded.
What are the grant funds be used for?
Grant funds must be used for the direct operations and upkeep of convention center facilities and must not be added to the general fund of any local unit of government. The funds also must not be used to pay off any municipal debt service.
What are acceptable uses for direct operations and upkeep of the individual convention center facilities?
Acceptable uses include but are not limited to:
- Property Taxes
- Insurance Costs
- Legal Fees
- Payroll
- Rent
- Utilities
- Repairs to the existing building and equipment.
Can grant funds be used for purchasing new equipment?
No, the funds should be used for normal operating expenses and generally can't be used for the purchasing of equipment. Please submit any questions about this topic to ccrg.deed@state.mn.us.
Does the convention center need to be headquartered in Minnesota?
No, however the physical location of the convention center needs to be in Minnesota and the grant funds need to have been used for the direct operations and upkeep of convention center facilities and must not be added to the general fund of any local unit of government.
What if the convention center opened in 2020, but doesn’t have previous years to compare?
The convention center needs to show a decrease in overall sales from 2019 so the convention center would not be eligible.
Can grant funds be used to reimburse for previously incurred costs?
Yes, if the reimbursement is for repayment for direct operations and upkeep of the convention center facilities incurred since March 16, 2020 and at an eligible convention center.
How long will it take for me to receive the funds?
DEED will be accepting applications during the month of January 2021. All grant applications will be reviewed in January and February 2021. Awards will be announced in February and eligible convention centers will receive funds once an award has been made and a grant agreement has been signed by all parties.
How long will grant funds be available?
Grant funds are available until exhausted or April 1, 2021, whichever occurs first.
