St. Paul City Council Denies Grant Extension for Lockheed Martin Subsidiary ForwardEdge ASIC
The St. Paul City Council unanimously denied a grant extension for ForwardEdge ASIC, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, following public outcry. Community members protested the $1.3 million in forgivable loans granted to the company, which failed to meet job creation targets. The council's decision reflects concerns over state funding priorities amidst economic struggles faced by local businesses and communities.
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The St. Paul City Council voted 6-0 to deny a grant extension for ForwardEdge ASIC, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, after extensive public testimony against it. ForwardEdge ASIC received $1.3 million in forgivable loans from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) in 2023 but did not meet its job creation quota, creating only 83 of 113 jobs.
Community concerns focused on the appropriateness of state funds for a major weapons manufacturer amid local economic challenges, including a significant budget deficit in Minneapolis Public Schools and ongoing struggles for small businesses post-Operation Metro Surge. The council's decision represents community activism against corporate influence in public funding.
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