The bill proposes an appropriation of $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the workforce development fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development. This funding is designated for a grant to the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC). The grant aims to support microentrepreneurs through various means, including training, workshops, and one-on-one consultations, as well as capacity building and general operations.
Additionally, the grant proceeds will assist prospective entrepreneurs in the start-up process by providing them with essential business knowledge. This includes training on business start-up readiness and pathways into various fields such as trades, green lending, technology, coding, STEM careers, translation services, and manufacturing. The bill emphasizes the importance of fostering entrepreneurship within the Latino community and enhancing workforce development initiatives.