Mapleton, Minnesota Local Business Exchange

Businesses and organizations providing specialized rehabilitation, workforce training, and employment support services have a new opportunity to pursue contracts with the State of Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development posted a new request for proposals October 26, 2026, seeking qualified providers to deliver services through its State Services for the Blind division.

The solicitation covers rehabilitation training and employment-related services for people who are blind, have low vision, or are DeafBlind.

The state intends to establish multiple contracts with qualified service providers.

The first proposal review deadline is November 16, 2026.

State Seeking Multiple Service Providers

The contracting opportunity is associated with Minnesota’s Disability Innovation Fund Grant Program.

The state is seeking organizations capable of providing specialized services to eligible individuals.

These services include Adjustment to Blindness training and other rehabilitation activities.

The solicitation also covers employment-related services, including workplace activities intended to help participants develop occupational skills and prepare for employment.

The program serves individuals applying for or receiving eligible services through State Services for the Blind.

Providers must be capable of delivering services consistent with the state’s requirements.

The October 26 announcement does not specify that every organization submitting a proposal will receive a contract.

What Services Are Included?

Adjustment to Blindness training helps individuals develop skills associated with living and working with vision loss.

Depending on individual needs and program requirements, rehabilitation services may address independent living skills, assistive technology, and other practical capabilities.

Employment-related activities can help participants develop workplace skills and prepare for occupational opportunities.

The state’s request for proposals identifies workplace activities as part of the services being sought.

Providers interested in participating should review the complete solicitation for detailed service descriptions, qualifications, and performance expectations.

Organizations should not assume that their existing training programs automatically satisfy the state’s requirements.

Initial Proposals Due November 16

Minnesota has established an initial evaluation period for the new solicitation.

Proposals submitted by November 16, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Central Time will be considered during the initial review.

However, the opportunity is structured as an ongoing solicitation.

The state will continue accepting proposals after November 16, with a final closing date of April 19, 2027.

This structure allows additional qualified providers to seek consideration beyond the first evaluation period.

Submitting earlier may provide an opportunity for consideration during the initial review, but it does not guarantee selection.

Applications Require Multiple Steps

Interested organizations must complete the state’s online application process.

The solicitation also requires applicants to follow specific instructions involving supporting documents and email notification.

Required materials include application forms, declarations, a cost proposal, and references.

Applicants must follow the procedures established in the official request for proposals.

The state directs applicants to send an email to its designated solicitation administrator after completing the online application process.

Incomplete submissions or applications that do not follow the required procedures may not receive consideration.

Contracts Are Different From Business Grants

This opportunity is a procurement solicitation rather than a general small-business grant program.

Selected organizations would provide services under contracts established with the state.

The October 26 posting does not specify a guaranteed contract value for individual providers.

The department also reserves the right to evaluate proposals according to its procurement requirements.

Businesses should review the solicitation carefully before investing resources in preparing a response.

For Minnesota organizations already providing rehabilitation training or specialized employment services, the opportunity may offer an additional avenue for delivering services through a state-supported program.

Five businesses across Minnesota are receiving more than $2 million in state economic development assistance for projects involving manufacturing, aviation, medical technology, and logistics.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced the awards October 21, 2026.

The projects are expected to create or retain approximately 141 jobs while supporting more than $19 million in private investment.

The participating businesses are located in Bemidji, Pine City, Coon Rapids, Shakopee, and Le Sueur County.

Bemidji Aviation Company Plans New Hangar

Aircorps Aviation plans to invest approximately $4.65 million to construct a new hangar at its existing Bemidji facility.

The company specializes in aircraft restoration, maintenance, manufacturing, and parts sales.

Its operations include work involving vintage aircraft and aircraft associated with World War II.

Minnesota approved $175,000 in Job Creation Fund assistance for the project.

The expansion is expected to create 14 positions within three years.

Aircorps Aviation previously received state assistance to expand its fabrication operations.

Pine City Manufacturer Plans New Facility

Atscott Manufacturing will invest approximately $3 million in a new 12,000-square-foot facility in Pine City.

The project includes four additional assembly bays and new production equipment.

The company provides manufacturing and assembly services involving components, subassemblies, and finished products.

The expanded facility will support tower manufacturing and assembly operations.

Minnesota approved $175,000 in Job Creation Fund assistance.

The company expects to create 15 jobs within the first year.

Coon Rapids Medical Manufacturer Plans $11 Million Expansion

The largest individual project involves rms Company, a medical device manufacturing supplier in Coon Rapids.

The company plans to invest $11 million in a 20,000-square-foot expansion of its existing facility.

The additional space will accommodate manufacturing equipment and increased production capacity.

Minnesota approved $800,000 through the Job Creation Fund and $600,000 through the Minnesota Investment Fund.

The project is expected to create 75 jobs within two years.

Rms Company manufactures precision components used by medical device businesses and provides specialized production services.

Additional Investments Planned in Two Communities

RES Specialty Pyrotechnics plans to invest approximately $625,000 to expand and improve its existing facility in Le Sueur County.

The company manufactures specialized pyrotechnic products and provides services for entertainment productions.

Minnesota approved $140,000 in Job Creation Fund assistance.

The expansion is expected to create seven positions within three years.

In Shakopee, Ryder Integrated Logistics plans to invest more than $1.8 million in improvements to an existing industrial facility.

The project will support warehousing, distribution, and material-handling operations.

Minnesota approved $175,000 in Job Creation Fund assistance.

The company expects to create more than 30 positions within three years.

Business Financing Programs Remain Available

The announced awards involve two established Minnesota economic development programs.

The Job Creation Fund provides financial incentives to qualifying businesses that meet investment and employment requirements.

The Minnesota Investment Fund supports capital equipment purchases associated with business expansion and employment.

Under current Job Creation Fund guidelines, qualifying businesses generally must invest at least $500,000 in real property improvements and create at least 10 permanent full-time-equivalent positions.

Lower thresholds apply to certain qualifying businesses.

Applicants must also satisfy wage requirements and obtain support from the local government where their projects will operate.

Applications are accepted year-round, but projects started before receiving the required state designation are ineligible.

Business owners considering expansion can review eligibility requirements through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

For the five communities receiving the latest awards, the projects represent additional private investment and planned employment activity.

Construction, hiring, and equipment installation will proceed according to the schedules established by the participating businesses.

Minnesota school districts and eligible transportation partners have a new opportunity to pursue funding for electric school buses, charging equipment, and fleet planning assistance.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce opened its latest Electric School Bus Grant Program application round on October 19, 2026.

The program offers two separate funding opportunities: one supporting electric school bus equipment and another providing planning and technical assistance.

Applications for both rounds are scheduled to close December 31, 2026.

The funding initiative is part of a broader state effort to help school districts transition portions of their transportation fleets to electric vehicles.

Two Grant Opportunities Available

The equipment funding round supports the purchase of electric school buses and related charging infrastructure.

Eligible activities can include acquiring new electric buses, converting existing buses to electric power, and installing necessary charging equipment.

The planning and technical assistance round serves districts that are still evaluating whether electric buses are appropriate for their transportation operations.

This assistance can include reviewing transportation routes, assessing charging requirements, coordinating with electric utilities, and preparing applications for additional funding.

Applicants may pursue either funding opportunity or apply to both, depending on their needs.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce evaluates the two applications separately.

Who Can Apply?

The program primarily serves eligible Minnesota school districts and qualifying organizations representing those districts.

According to the state’s program guidance, eligible applicants can include independent and special school districts, Tribal contract schools, and certain transportation providers or utilities applying on behalf of a school district.

Participation requirements depend on the specific funding round.

The program is not a general-purpose grant available to every transportation company or small business in Minnesota.

Private transportation businesses interested in participating should review the application requirements to determine whether their existing relationships with school districts qualify.

The state has allocated $13 million to the broader Electric School Bus Grant Program, although that figure should not be interpreted as the amount available in the newly opened application round.

Individual awards will depend on the applicable program requirements, available funding, and application evaluations.

Why Transportation Businesses Should Pay Attention

School transportation involves substantial operational expenses, including vehicle acquisition, maintenance, fuel, and infrastructure.

Electric school buses introduce different financial and operational considerations.

School districts must evaluate vehicle range, charging availability, electrical capacity, and the costs associated with maintaining an electric fleet.

These considerations can also affect private contractors providing student transportation services.

A transportation company operating buses for a school district, for example, may need to coordinate vehicle procurement and charging arrangements with its school district customer.

The planning grants are designed to help eligible participants evaluate these requirements before committing to equipment purchases.

Application Timeline and Important Dates

The Minnesota Department of Commerce has established several dates for the current application round.

Applications opened October 19, 2026.

An informational webinar is scheduled for October 28, followed by another session on November 30.

The formal question-and-answer period is scheduled to end December 16.

The application deadline is December 31, 2026.

Applicants should consult the official program materials for submission instructions and any applicable time-of-day requirements.

Potential Opportunities for Local Businesses

Although grant funding is directed toward eligible applicants, the program could also create commercial opportunities for businesses involved in school transportation.

Electric vehicle suppliers, charging infrastructure providers, electrical contractors, and transportation consultants may find opportunities associated with projects that ultimately receive funding.

However, the announcement does not guarantee contracts or purchasing opportunities for individual businesses.

Procurement requirements will depend on the participating organizations and applicable purchasing procedures.

Businesses interested in serving school districts should ...