Gov. Tim Walz has signed legislation to help keep people in their homes and businesses before, during and after construction of the Blue Line Extension, and to preserve and enhance economic and community vitality by ensuring people in the corridor today are the ones to benefit from this important infrastructure investment.

Lawmakers set aside $10 million to fund the new Blue Line Extension Anti-Displacement Community Prosperity program. The funding, which is to be matched by other sources, can be used for a range of activities, including support for local businesses, building affordable housing and protecting and increasing local homeownership.   

The legislation names the 26-member Anti-Displacement Work Group that led the development of an anti-displacement recommendations report published early last year, as the board to oversee spending of the new funding. The group is made up of community leaders, local business owners, the philanthropic community, government agencies, and people who have lived experience of displacement.  

The work of the board will begin this summer. The board will be responsible for choosing leaders, creating bylaws, and establishing criteria for use of the state funding for anti-displacement work along the Blue Line Extension.

Funding is eligible to be used in 12 categories, including affordable housing preservation; small business support; public space enhancements that preserve cultural heritage; and job training to help people who live along the Blue Line Extension project get jobs building it. 

This funding and the Anti-Displacement Community Prosperity board will be critical pieces of a broader coordinated effort to be led by Hennepin County. That broader effort will be outlined in a Draft Anti-Displacement Coordinated Action Plan expected to be released for public feedback next month.