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Public Facilities Authority Awards Nearly $191 million in 2022 to Clean up Minnesota Waterways

29 cities received awards to improve their waterways

St. Paul - The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) today announced $191 million in grants and loans for water and infrastructure projects in 29 Minnesota communities.

"PFA grants are an important tool that help maintain and build our waterways for future business and economic growth," said PFA chair and Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development Steve Grove. "Congratulations to these cities and counties on their awards, which will lead to economic growth across the state."

The majority of the funding came directly from the PFA's Clean Water and Drinking Water revolving loan funds, and grants from the Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF) and Point Source Implementation (PSI) Grants programs.

Clean Water Revolving Fund (also known as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund or CWSRF):

The CWSRF is supported by federal capitalization grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state matching funds. These funds, together with PFA revenue bond proceeds, are used to make low interest loans to communities throughout the state for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects. Loan repayments revolve back to make new loans, providing a permanent source of low-interest capital to help cities finance clean water infrastructure projects. Since its start in 1990, Minnesota's CWSRF has awarded more than 565 loans for over $3.1 billion, providing over $691 million in interest savings to local governments and their taxpayers.

Drinking Water Revolving Fund (also known as the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund or DWSRF)

The DWSRF is supported by federal capitalization grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state matching funds. These funds, together with PFA revenue bond proceeds, are used to make low interest loans to cities throughout the state for drinking water infrastructure projects. Loan repayments revolve back to make new loans, providing a permanent source of low-interest capital to help cities finance drinking water infrastructure projects. Since its start in 1999, Minnesota's DWSRF has awarded more than 433 loans for over $982 million, providing over $188 million in interest savings to local governments and their taxpayers. A portion of federal DWSRF funds is provided as principal forgiveness grants based on established affordability criteria.

Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF):

The WIF program provides supplemental assistance grants for based on affordability criteria for high-cost projects. WIF grants are packaged with PFA loans or USDA Rural Development loan and grant funds.

Point Source Implementation (PSI) Grants:

The PSIG 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.

August 12 - Perham, $3,622,911

• Perham's project consists of improvements to the sanitary sewer collection system to replace aging sewer lines. The project is funded in part by a $1,789,998 loan from the CWRF. Perham also installed a new PVC watermain, 9 hydrants and 28 gate valves. This was funded by a $1,832,913 loan from the DWRF.

July 29 - Dassel, $1,690,773

• Dassel's project included the rehabilitation of the sanitary sewer collection system along first street and replacing an aging watermain. The project is funded by a CWRF loan of $871,848 and a DWRF loan of $818,925.

July 28 - Two Harbors, $33,488,485

• This project consists of rehabilitating the wastewater treatment facility and upgrading the treatment process to comply with a permit limit for mercury. Funding comes from a PSI Grant of $5,779,959 a CWRF loan of $14,493,919, a WIF Grant of $1,714,607 and a 2020 special appropriation of $11,500,000.

July 25 - Bemidji, $10,194,000

• Bemidji's project consists of predesign, design, and construction of phase 2 of the City's water treatment plant. Funding will come from a state special appropriation of $10,194,000 and $5,594,200 from the city.

July 25 - Buhl, $2,360,000

• Buhl's project consists of improvements to the wastewater, clean water, and storm sewer infrastructure. PFA funding for this project comes from a $1,500,000 state special appropriation and a WIF grant of $860,000. Additional funding comes from a USDA Rural Development loan of $3,716,000 and grant of $476,000, an Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation grant of $250,000, a Community Development Block Grant of $140,000, and $421,465 from the city.

July 25 - Floodwood, $2,247,944

• The project consists of wastewater treatment pond improvements including construction of an additional 8.5-acre pond. Funding for this project comes from a $247,944 CWRF loan and a $2 million state special appropriation.

July 21 - Foley, $27,790,428

• This project consists of improvements to the city's wastewater system including construction of a sanitary sewer forcemain to connect to St. Cloud for treatment. Funding comes from a CWRF loan of $19,790,428 and a state special appropriation of $8 million.

June 24 - Long Prairie, $8,588,786

• This project consists of replacing the aging sanitary sewer and watermain along CSAH 56. Funding comes from a CWRF loan of $4,776,440 and a DWRF loan of $3,812,346.

June 24 - Saint Paul Regional Water Services, $250,000

• This project is a continuation of work to replace drinking water lead service lines. Funding for this project comes from a DWRF forgiveness grant of $250,000 and $250,000 from local sources.

June 16 - Dawson, $15,585,700

• This project consists of sanitary sewer and watermain improvements in areas south of the railroad tracks. PFA funding for this project comes from a CWRF loan of $3,307,904, a clean water WIF grant of $4,729,225, a DWRF loan of $2,548,641 and a drinking water WIF grant of $5 million.

June 15 - Eveleth, $801,205

• Eveleth's project consists of replacement of its aging sanitary sewer, watermain, hydrants and gate valves. Funding comes from a $436,281 CWRF loan, a $100,000 community development block grant, a $364,924 DWRF loan and $250,000 from the IRRR.

June 3 - Saint Paul, $46,000,000

• The project consists of re-construction of the St. Paul Regional Water Services' McCarrons drinking water treatment plant. This initial phase financing for the project comes from a $46 million DWRF loan.

May 27 - Mahnomen, $1,900,000

• Mahnomen's project consists of improvements to its sanitary sewer and drinking water distribution system. PFA funding for this project comes from two state special appropriations for $650,000 and $1,250,000. The project is also supported by a $2,966,634 loan from USDA Rural Development and $173,000 from the city.

May 25 - Cascade Township, $1,819,953

• This project consists of connecting two mobile home parks, Hallmark Terrace and Zumbro Ridge, to the city of Rochester's wastewater treatment system. This project is funded by a $1,819,953 PSI grant and township financing of $454,989.

May 16 - Lakefield, $5,000,000

• This project consists of rehabilitation of the city's wastewater treatment and collection system, including upgrades for phosphorus treatment. PFA funding comes from a $5 million WIF grant, and $7,950,000 in USDA Rural Development loans and grants.

May 16 - Tracy, $825,669

• This project consists of decommissioning the old wastewater ponds that have now been replaced with a new system. The project is funded by a $825,669 WIF grant and $1,726,578 in grants and loans from USDA Rural Development.

May 10 - Frazee, $1,351,302

• This project consists of replacing an aging sanitary sewer and watermain along Trunk Highway 87 and Maple Avenue in conjunction with a MNDOT highway reconstruction project. Funding comes a $573,624 CWRF loan, a $155,536 DWRF loan and a $622,142 WIF grant.

May 4 - Detroit Lakes, $3,917,969

• This project consists of rehabilitating sewer lines and replacing aging watermain along Willow, Holmes, and Frazee Streets. Funding comes from a $1,896,785 CWRF loan and a $2,021,184 DWRF loan.

May 3 - Arden Hills, $500,000

• This project consists of installing watermain along Lexington Avenue from County Road E to Interstate Highway 694. Funding comes from a $500,000 state special appropriation.

May 3 - Spring Park, $1,500,000

• This project consists of water and sewer improvements on West Arm Drive. All $1.5 million comes from a state special appropriation.

April 14 - Boyd, $947,000

• This project consists of replacement of aging portions of the watermain distribution system. It is funded by $947,000 WIF grant and $1,462,000 in grants and loans from USDA Rural Development.

April 14 - Rice Lake, $1,000,000

• The project consists of the extension of water utilities along North Rice Lake Road. Funding for this project comes from a $1,000,000 state special appropriation and $131,000 from the city.

April 13 - Amboy, $1,551,292

• This project consists of rehabilitation of the drinking water treatment plant including installation of reverse osmosis membrane filters to facilitate a reduction in the discharge of chlorides. Funding for this project comes from a $1,551,292 PSI grant and $387,823 from the city.

April 13 - Forest Lake, $1,700,000

• The project consists of constructing and reconstructing ten lift stations in the city. Funding for this project comes from a $1,700,000 state special appropriation and $744,500 from the city.

April 13 - Nashwauk, $350,000

• This project consists of preliminary and final engineering for extension of the regional wastewater system to serve Lone Pine and Goodland Townships. Funding for this project comes from a $350,000 state special appropriation.

April 13 - Warren, $752,369

• This project consists of improvements to the sewer collection system and watermain replacement along 4th Street. PFA funding for this project comes from a $347,136 CWRF loan and a $405,233 DWRF loan.

March 30 - Robbinsdale, $6,770,650

• Robbinsdale will be constructing a 750,000-gallon water tower. Funding for this project comes from a $6,770,650 DWRF loan.

March 23 - Austin, $7,450,000

• The project consists of design, engineering and construction for expansion and rehabilitation of the city's wastewater treatment plant. Initial funding for this project comes from a $7,450,000 special appropriation.

February 24 - Saint Cloud, $1,166,077

• This project consists of additional improvements to the city's drinking water treatment plant project. Funding for this project comes from a $1,166,077 DWRF loan.

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.

 

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