Section 469.322 Designation of International Economic Development Zone

MINNESOTA STATUTES AND CODES

Section 469.322 Designation of International Economic Development Zone

469.322 DESIGNATION OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ZONE.

(a) An area designated as a foreign trade zone may be designated by the foreign trade zone authority as an international economic development zone if within the zone a regional distribution center is being developed pursuant to section 469.323. The zone must consist of contiguous area of not less than 500 acres and not more than 1,000 acres. The designation authority under this section is limited to one zone.

(b) In making the designation, the foreign trade zone authority, in consultation with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Council, shall consider access to major transportation routes, consistency with current state transportation and air cargo planning, adequacy of the size of the site, access to airport facilities, present and future capacity at the designated airport, the capability to meet integrated present and future air cargo, security, and inspection services, and access to other infrastructure and financial incentives. The border of the international economic development zone must be no more than 60 miles distant or 90 minutes drive time from the border of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

(c) Before final designation of the zone, the foreign trade zone authority, in consultation with the applicant, must conduct a transportation impact study based on the regional model and utilizing traffic forecasting and assignments. The results must be used to evaluate the effects of the proposed use on the transportation system and identify any needed improvements. If the site is in the metropolitan area the study must also evaluate the effect of the transportation impacts on the Metropolitan Transportation System plan as well as the comprehensive plans of the municipalities that would be affected. The authority shall provide copies of the study to the legislature under section 3.195 and to the chairs of the committees with jurisdiction over transportation and economic development. The applicant must pay the cost of the study.

(d) Final zone designation must be made by June 30, 2008.

(e) Duration of the zone is a 12-year period beginning on January 1, 2010.