PFA Approves $8.77 Million for Greater Minnesota Projects

ST. PAUL – Six Greater Minnesota cities were awarded $8.77 million in grants and loans from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) for water infrastructure and sanitary sewer improvements. Funding was approved for Bagley, Brownton, Elbow Lake, Eveleth, Waverly and Wheaton.

“Communities across Minnesota face serious water-quality challenges,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “This funding supports improvements that will give residents of Bagley, Brownton, Elbow Lake, Eveleth, Waverly, Wheaton and neighboring Greater Minnesota communities access to the safe drinking water they deserve.”

“Minnesota cities are addressing their water-quality needs and upgrading sanitary sewers thanks to support from the PFA,” said Shawntera Hardy, who chairs the PFA board and is commissioner of DEED. “These investments are helping to make our communities more livable for residents and attractive for business development.”

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

Bagley, $1.03 million

Bagley received a loan of $538,157 from the Clean Water Revolving Fund to rehabilitate the sanitary sewer collection system and a loan of $490,913 from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund to replace cast iron watermains. The 20-year, 1 percent loans will save taxpayers $187,397 compared with the cost of conventional loans for the same amount.

Brownton, $1.34 million

The city is making improvements to the sanitary sewer system and lift stations, along with adding wireless alarms and a diesel generator. The PFA approved a grant for the project of $1.34 million from the Water Infrastructure Fund. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Rural Development awarded the project a $1.73 million loan and a $724,000 grant.

Elbow Lake, $1.30 million

The city was awarded a loan of $170,193 from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund and a $532,000 grant from the Water Infrastructure Fund for watermain replacement on Division Street. The 30-year, 1 percent loan will save the city $50,273 compared with the cost of a conventional loan.

The city also was approved for a $600,400 loan from the Clean Water Revolving Fund to rehabilitate the sanitary sewer collection system for Division Street. The 20-year, 1 percent loan will save taxpayers $109,257 compared with a conventional loan.

Eveleth, $1.46 million

The city plans to rehabilitate its 750,000-gallon water tower with the support of a $1.46 million loan from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund. The 20-year, 1.115 percent loan will save taxpayers $241,025 compared with the cost of a conventional loan.

Waverly, $2.47 million

The city was approved for a $330,464 grant from the Water Infrastructure Fund and an $82,616 loan from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund to rehabilitate a wellhouse. The 20-year, 1 percent loan will save the city $15,547 compared with the cost of a conventional loan.

In addition, the PFA awarded the city a $1.64 million grant from the Water Infrastructure Fund and $410,587 loan from the Clean Water Revolving Fund to rehabilitate part of the sanitary sewer collection system. The 30-year, 1 percent loan will save taxpayers $123,315 compared with the cost of a conventional loan.

Wheaton, $1.17 million

Wheaton was approved for a $1.17 million loan from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund to rehabilitate an elevated water storage tank and install meters. The 20-year, 1 percent loan will save the city $199,669 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.