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Abstract
Since 1984, Minnesota has been channeling $8-$9 million per year in loans and grants to businesses through a fund that aims to stimulate State and local economic growth, aid distressed areas, and help low- and moderate-income people. The program sends 90 percent of its funds to nonmetro areas, with moderate success. Forty percent of the nonmetro projects appeared to contribute to economic growth within the State (1984-88), and the most economically distressed counties received more than their share of projects. However, most of the created jobs paid lower wages than the local average.