Regarding Improving Opportunities in the Business Enterprises Program
A2024-02: Regarding Improving Opportunities in the Business Enterprises Program
Adopted In : 2024
Topics : Employment
WHEREAS, under the Randolph-Sheppard Act and Minn. Stat. 248.07 subd 7, the Minnesota Business Enterprises Program (BEP) recruits, trains, licenses and places individuals who are blind as operators of vending, convenience store and micro market businesses providing services on federal and state property, under the jurisdiction of Minnesota State Services for the Blind (SSB); and
WHEREAS, the BEP has been one important tool for promoting self-sufficiency, independence, and economic empowerment among the blind population in Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, many businesses under this program suffered losses because of the pandemic and have not fully recovered as of the present; and
WHEREAS, COVID and other factors have led to a lack of new business opportunities available under the BEP, with the effect that the program has ceased training new applicants; and
WHEREAS, in light of the difficulties faced by this program nationwide, the Rehabilitation Services administration has recently released subregulatory guidance designed to provide some potential avenues for expansion; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota in convention assembled this 3rd day of November, 2024, in the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota, that this organization reaffirm its support for the Business Enterprises Program (BEP) as one important venue for promoting self-employment among the blind; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization express its willingness to work with the BEP in Minnesota to remove barriers and explore ideas for expanding the program.