A new bill proposed by Albert Lea’s Rep. Rich Murray aims to increase the tax incentives for people who invest in Greater Minnesota businesses.

Murray said though Minnesota already has an angel investment tax credit, very little of the benefits of that credit are coming to places outside of the metropolitan area.

“Right now the metro has an advantage,” said Murray, a Republican. “In Greater Minnesota we lack access to some of the angel investors.”

He said in 2010, 94 percent of the angel investment tax credit money went to the metro, while only 6 percent came to Greater Minnesota.

Though those numbers improved slightly in 2011 — 87 percent of the funds went to the metro and 13 percent went to Greater Minnesota — he hopes people see there is still a disparity.

Murray said the program allows people who invest in businesses that are starting up or expanding — whether in the metro or Greater Minnesota — to receive a 25 percent tax credit given out through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

His bill aims to increase that tax credit for investors in Greater Minnesota businesses. The bill gives a 50 percent tax credit, though he does not know if something that high would get approved.

“I want something that’s reasonable,” Murray said.

He does not want to take away from the success the metro area has had with the credit, but he said he wants to get people talking about the disparity seen in Greater Minnesota.

The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities is working on getting a senator to carry a similar bill.

Murray said this is one of several ideas he and other legislators are putting together to improve the jobs economy in the state.

Other ideas include streamlining regulations and looking at training for unemployed people.

“The best thing government can do is help create a better jobs environment,” he said. “Government can’t create jobs, but it can improve the environment.”

Murray said there should be more discussion about the bill in the next week.