A new relief package could provide up to $15 million for businesses in Minnesota’s border communities that struggled during the pandemic.

The proposal called the Canadian Border Counties Economic Relief Program was introduced by Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls).

Under the bill, any business that saw a revenue decrease from 2020 to 2021 would be eligible for a relief grant of up to $50,000.

“International Falls and border communities got hit exceptionally different than the rest of the country,” said I’Falls Mayor Harley Droba.

Ecklund says the bill is meant to help provide those businesses with a boost until things return to normal.

“I think this’ll provide them with a little bit of relief, a little bit of a shot in the arm and then they can start to figure out how they need to revamp once the border does open again,” said Ecklund.

According to Ecklund the proposed package is drawing bipartisan support. He’s confident it has the potential to pass. The proposal will go up for consideration to be part of an upcoming Workforce and Business Development finance bill.

To see the video version of this story and read related reporting, follow this link to the KBJR-TV website. https://www.kbjr6.com/2022/02/18/new-bill-could-help-businesses-near-canada-border-stay-afloat/