PFA Approves $4.2 Million Grant for Winsted Project

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) approved a $4.2 million grant to help Winsted pay for improvements to its wastewater treatment plant.

The funding from the PFA’s Point Source Implementation Grant Program will help the city finance upgrades that reduce the discharge of phosphorus from the plant. Winsted, a city of about 2,400 people in McLeod County, also will borrow about $3.9 million for the project.

“Communities across Minnesota face serious water quality challenges,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “Last spring, I worked with the Minnesota Legislature to establish a grant program to help cities afford to make water quality improvements. These grants and loans will help the residents of Winsted to afford the clean drinking water they deserve.”

“Excess phosphorus has a negative impact on lakes and streams, contributing to algae growth and other environmental problems,” added Shawntera Hardy, who chairs the PFA board and is commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. “This project will help Winsted meet phosphorus discharge limits and protect the quality of local water.”

The Point Source Implementation Grant Program provides grants to help cities upgrade water treatment facilities to reduce their discharge of specific pollutants to meet water quality restoration and protection goals.

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.