DEED Awards $1.5 Million in 8 Contamination Cleanup Grants Across Minnesota

St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded $1.56 million in grants to seven communities across Minnesota to clean up or investigate eight contaminated sites approved for redevelopment.

DEED's Contamination Cleanup Grant Program awarded the funding, which will leverage more than $225 million in private investment and create or retain 633 jobs. Local tax bases are expected to increase by $2.9 million through redevelopment of the sites.

"These grants play a vital role in expanding economic opportunities across Minnesota," said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. "When you also factor in the 633 jobs created and retained - the impact of these investments is clear to Minnesota's families and workers."

DEED's Contamination Cleanup Grants cover up to 75% of the costs to remove contamination at approved polluted sites. The remaining costs are covered by cities and counties, other units of local government, and private landowners and developers. Grants are also awarded for contaminant investigation and response action plan development.

Since its inception in 1993, the Contamination Cleanup Grant Program has awarded over $198 million in grants, which paid for assessment and cleanup of 3,871 acres of land, allowed for the creation or retention of 49,612 jobs and cleared the way for 24,764 new housing units. The program has also leveraged over $9 billion in private investments and added over $136 million to local tax bases.

Go to the DEED website for more information on the Contamination Cleanup and Investigation Grants Program.

See details on individual projects below:

City of Albert Lea – Blazing Star Phases 2 and 3

The city of Albert Lea is awarded $50,000 in investigation funding for this 5.50-acre site. Historically used as a meat packing plant, the site will be redeveloped into two apartment buildings with 48 units each. The project is anticipated to increase the tax base by $22,000. Matching funds will be provided by the City.

Local contact – Steven Jahnke, City of Albert Lea (507) 377-4325

City of Fridley – Willows Bend Senior Living

The city of Fridley is awarded $91,000 in cleanup funding for this 4.08-acre site contaminated with tetrachloroethene most likely from an off-site source. Formerly home to the city's municipal offices, this site will be redeveloped into a four-story, 136-unit senior living facility offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The project is anticipated to create 38 jobs and increase the local tax base by $276,900. Matching funds will be provided by the developer.

Local contact – Scott Hickok, City of Fridley (763) 572-3590

Hermantown Economic Development Authority – Highway 53 Business Park

The Hermantown EDA is awarded $50,000 in investigation funding for this 49.65-acre site. Historically used for oil refining, this site will be redeveloped into a business park, supporting up to 435,000 square feet of light manufacturing and distribution warehouse space. The project is anticipated to create 100 jobs, retain 250 jobs, and increase the local tax base by $692,555. Matching funds will be provided by the Hermantown EDA.

Local contact – John Mulder, City of Hermantown (208) 729-3600

City of Pine City – Former Mill Site

The city of Pine City is awarded $56,655 in cleanup funding for this 0.76-acre site contaminated with petroleum and other contaminants. Historically used as an office, warehouse, and milling operations, this site will be redeveloped into a two-story, 25-unit apartment building. The project is anticipated to create two jobs and increase the tax base by $28,900. Matching funds will be provided by the City.

Local contact – Lezlie Sauter, City of Pine City (320) 591-1619

St. Joseph Economic Development Authority – JR Mobile

The St. Joseph EDA is awarded $18,750 in investigation funding for this 0.14-acre site. Historically occupied by a gas station and auto repair shop, this site will be redeveloped into a 2,100 square foot quick service restaurant. The project is anticipated to create seven jobs and increase the tax base by $2,914. Matching funds will be provided by the EDA and the developer.

Local contact – Nate Keller, City of St. Joseph (320) 557-3524

St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority – Beltline Station

The St. Louis Park EDA is awarded $418,547 in cleanup funding for this 7-acre site contaminated with trichloroethene. Historically occupied by a machine shop, factory, and commercial building, this site will be redeveloped into three buildings with 23,000 square feet of commercial space, 401 residential units, and a large parking garage. The project is anticipated to create 91 jobs and increase the tax base by $1,624,890. Matching funds will be provided by the developer.

Local contact – Julie Grove, City of St. Louis Park (952) 924-2523

City of St. Paul – 176 South Robert Street

The city of St. Paul is awarded $695,023 in cleanup funding for this 2.86-acre site contaminated with petroleum and other contaminants. Historically used for residential dwellings, railroad freight operations, warehousing, coal and wood yards, and a junkyard, this site will be redeveloped into a five-story, 174-unit affordable apartment building with 9,500 square feet of commercial space. The project is anticipated to create 18 jobs and increase the tax base by $317,155. Matching funds will be provided by the developer and other grant sources.

Local contact – Marie Franchett, City of St. Paul (651) 266-6702

City of Saint Paul – St. Paul City School

The city of St. Paul is awarded $ 180,945 in cleanup funding for this 1.79-acre site contaminated with benzene and other contaminants. Historically used for residential dwellings, various industry including auto repair and a car dealership, this site will be redeveloped into an expansion and consolidation of an existing charter school. The project is anticipated to create 12 jobs and retain 115 jobs. Matching funds will be provided by the school and other grant sources.

Local Contact – Claudia Klinkhammer, City of St. Paul (651) 266-8685

DEED is the state's principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and its services, visit the DEED website, the JoinUsMn.com website, or follow us on Twitter.