PFA Approves Funding for Water Infrastructure Projects

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) approved $7.06 million in loans and grants for water infrastructure projects in six Minnesota communities.

Funding was approved for projects in Lowry, Eden Valley, Rice Lake, Mankato, Courtland and Pemberton.

“Communities across Minnesota face serious water-quality challenges,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “This funding supports improvements that will give residents of Lowry, Eden Valley, Rice Lake, Mankato, Courtland, Pemberton, and neighboring Greater Minnesota communities access to the safe drinking water they deserve.”

“PFA funding is an investment that contributes to livability and growth in small towns across Minnesota,” said Shawntera Hardy, who chairs the PFA board and is commissioner of DEED. “These projects will provide a safe and reliable source of water for local residents and businesses.”

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

Lowry, $668,850

The Pope County community was approved for a $535,080 grant and a $133,770 loan from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund for a new 50,000-gallon water tower. The 30-year, 1 percent loan will save taxpayers $39,766 compared with the cost of a conventional loan.

Eden Valley, $1.66 million

Eden Valley, located in Meeker and Stearns counties, was approved for a $799,239 loan from the Clean Water Revolving Fund to replace a portion of the city’s sanitary sewer line. The 20-year, 1 percent loan will save taxpayers $142,008 compared with the cost of a conventional loan.

The city also was approved for a $691,692 grant from the Water Infrastructure Fund and a $172,923 loan from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund to replace a water main. The 20-year, 1 percent loan will save taxpayers $30,918 compared with the cost of a conventional loan.

Rice Lake, $275,024

The St. Louis County city will decommission two lift stations and install a new force main on Third Avenue South. The project received a $220,019 grant from the Water Infrastructure Fund and a $55,005 loan from the Clean Water Revolving Fund. The 10-year, 1 percent loan will save taxpayers $3,789 compared with the cost of a conventional loan.

Mankato, $1.12 million

Mankato, located in Blue Earth, Nicollet and Le Sueur counties, plans to decommission 61 septic tanks in Southview Heights and connect the subdivision to the city’s sewer system. The PFA awarded the city a $1.12 million grant from the Point Source Implementation Grant Program.

Courtland, $3.18 million

The Nicollet County city was approved for a $3.18 million loan from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund. The 20-year, 1 percent loan will save taxpayers $570,063 compared with the cost of a conventional loan. Plans call for rehabilitating and expanding the water treatment plant, rehabilitating two wells and building a 150,000-gallon elevated water storage tank.

Pemberton, $152,049

Pemberton, a city in Blue Earth County, was approved for a $152,049 loan from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund to build a second city well that will serve as a backup water supply. The 20-year, 1.107 percent loan will save the city $25,682 compared with the cost of a conventional loan.

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.