PFA Approves Funding for Central Minnesota Projects

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) approved $4.15 million in state funding for water infrastructure projects in the central Minnesota communities of Eagle Bend and Clear Lake-Clearwater.

“Aging water and sewer systems throughout Greater Minnesota desperately need updates, especially with new state and federal standards designed to protect our waterways,” said Shawntera Hardy, who chairs the PFA board and is commissioner of DEED. “This funding will protect local waters and ensure the health and safety of residents in Eagle Bend and Clear Lake-Clearwater.”

The following is a description and summary of state funding for each project:

Eagle Bend, $2.95 million

Eagle Bend, a city of 535 people in Todd County, was approved for an $884,686 grant from the PFA’s Water Infrastructure Fund and a $495,843 loan from the Clean Water Revolving Fund for Phase 2 of a sanitary sewer rehabilitation project. The 30-year, 1 percent loan will save taxpayers $153,801 compared with the cost of a conventional loan.

The city also was approved for a $1.26 million grant from the Water Infrastructure Fund and a $314,210 loan from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund for the second and third phases of a water main replacement project. The 30-year, 1 percent loan will save taxpayers $96,533 compared with the cost of a conventional loan.

Clear Lake-Clearwater, $1.2 million

Clear Lake, population 545 in Sherburne County, and Clearwater, population 1,735 in Stearns and Wright counties, are planning improvements to a wastewater treatment plant that they share. The project received a special legislative appropriation of $900,000 from the general fund and $300,000 in state bonding. Local funding will contribute another $625,000 to the project.

The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority provides financing and technical assistance to help communities build and maintain infrastructure that protects public health and the environment and promotes economic growth. Since inception in 1987, the PFA has financed $4.5 billion in public infrastructure projects in communities throughout Minnesota. Read more at the PFA website.