Public Facilities Authority Awards More than $211M Over Six Months

St. Paul – The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) awarded over $211 million in the second half of 2022 and early 2023. The awards will fund 25 projects to improve water quality and infrastructure in 21 communities statewide.

“The work done by the PFA is integral to the health and safety of Minnesota communities,” said PFA Chair and Temporary Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Kevin McKinnon. “The service they provide will continue to protect the health of Minnesotans and supply clean water for years to come.”

Funding for the projects primarily comes from the PFA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The CWSRF helps communities build or upgrade wastewater treatment plants to comply with discharge standards in the federal Clean Water Act, and the DWSRF helps communities build drinking water storage, treatment and distribution systems that comply with standards in the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Some projects also received funding from the PFA’s Point Source Implementation grant program, Small Community Wastewater Treatment Program, and Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF) grant program. In some cases, funding was also provided by special state appropriations, the Federal USDA Office of Rural Development and local sources.

Projects and PFA funding amounts are listed below:

February 21, 2023 – Ada, $1,478,332

Ada’s project consists of sanitary sewer improvements by repairing and relining of aging sewer lines throughout the city. Funding comes from a $1,478,332 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan.

February 9, 2023 – Metropolitan Council, $40,000,000

This project consists of cash flow financing for Metropolitan Council wastewater capital projects. PFA funding for this project comes from a $40,000,000 CWSRF loan.

February 1, 2023 – Kandiyohi County, $60,000

This project consists of evaluating wastewater alternatives to replace non-complying individual septic systems in the North and Northeast areas on Big Kandiyohi Lake. The funding comes from a $60,000 Small Community Wastewater Treatment Program Technical Assistance Grant.

January 25, 2023 – Mower County, $60,000

Mower County’s project consists of a $60,000 Small Community Wastewater Treatment Program Technical Assistance Grant to study wastewater treatment alternatives to replace non-complying individual septic systems in an area adjacent to south Dobbins Creek in Red Rock and Windom Townships.

January 17, 2023 – Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, $1,581,288

This project consists of additional costs for the Knowlton Creek interceptor project due to mislabeled pipe. Funding for this project comes from a $1,581,288 CWSRF loan.

January 9, 2023 – Austin, $57,666,633

Austin’s project consists of major expansion and improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment plant, including upgrades to reduce the discharge of phosphorus. PFA funding for this project comes from a $7,000,000 Point Source Implementation Grant (PSIG), a $42,216,633 CWSRF loan, a $1,000,000 CWSRF Principal Forgiveness Grant, and a $7,450,000 state special appropriation. In addition to PFA funding, this project received $55,254,820 from local sources.

December 20, 2022 – Owatonna, $36,000,000

Owatonna’s project consists of major expansion and improvements to the wastewater treatment facility, including upgrades to reduce the discharge of phosphorus. PFA funding for this project comes from a $35,000,000 CWSRF loan and a $1,000,000 CWSRF Principal Forgiveness Grant. An additional $32.8 million in project costs will be funded by a second PFA loan or from local sources.

December 20, 2022 – Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, $2,711,568

The project consists of the rehabilitation of the Cloquet Interceptor. Funding for this project comes from a $2,711,568 CWSRF loan.

December 6, 2022 – Annandale, $2,625,224

This funding is for replacement of aging sanitary sewer and watermain in the city of Annandale along Oak, Park and Pleasant streets in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Transportation Highway 24 improvement project. Funding for the sanitary sewer replacement project comes from a $253,362 CWSRF loan and a $1,266,811 CWSRF Principal Forgiveness Grant. Funding for the watermain replacement comes from a $1,358,413 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan.

November 29, 2022 – Crosby, $2,525,119

This funding is for replacement of aging sanitary sewer and watermain in the city of Crosby along 1st Street SW and 4th Street NE. Funding for the sanitary sewer replacement comes from a $712,315 CWSRF loan. Funding for the watermain replacement and looping comes from a $1,812,804 DWSRF loan.

November 8, 2022 – Pipestone, $12,500

This project consists of the replacement of approximately 20 drinking water lead service lines along 3rd Avenue, 4th Avenue, 3rd Street and 4th Street. PFA funding comes from a $12,500 DWSRF Principal Forgiveness grant. In addition to the PFA funding, this project received $12,500 from local sources.

November 3, 2022 – Litchfield, $4,936,422

Litchfield’s project consists of improvements to the drinking water treatment plant. PFA funding for this project comes from a $3,936,422 DWSRF loan. In addition to the PFA funding, this project received $1,000,000 from local sources.

November 1, 2022 – Watertown, $23,723,450

This project consists of rehabilitation and expansion of the wastewater treatment facility, including upgrades to reduce the discharge of phosphorus. Funding for this project comes from a $16,723,450 CWSRF loan, and a $7,000,000 PSIG Grant.

November 1, 2022 – Zimmerman, $1,136,210

Zimmerman’s project consists of the construction of two new wells for the city's drinking water system. Funding for this project comes from a $1,136,210 DWSRF loan.

October 24, 2022 – Wood Lake, $1,628,000

This project consists of constructing a new well and rehabilitating the drinking water treatment plant. PFA funding for this project comes from a $1,628,000 Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF) grant. In addition to PFA funding, this project received a Federal USDA Office of Rural Development grant of $1,035,000 and loan of $664,000.

October 12, 2022 – Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, $6,638,455

The project consists of improvements to the Carlton Pump Station. Funding for this project comes from a $6,638,455 CWSRF loan.

October 10, 2022 – Rice Lake, $672,855

Rice Lake’s project consists of design and construction of water utilities extension along Martin Road. PFA funding for this project is $672,855 from a state special appropriation and $16,185 from local sources.

October 6, 2022 – Pipestone, $3,738,331

This funding is for replacement of aging sanitary sewer and watermain along 2nd Street in Pipestone. Funding for the sanitary sewer work comes from a $1,719,191 CWSRF loan. Funding for the watermain replacement project comes from a $403,828 DWSRF loan and a $1,615,312 DWSRF Principal Forgiveness grant.

October 6, 2022 – Menahga, $614,500

This project consists of the installation of a 100,000-gallon elevated storage tank. PFA funding for this project comes from a $614,500 DWSRF loan. In addition to PFA funding, this project received $673,500 from local sources.

September 30, 2022 – Lake Park, $1,083,625

This project consists of the rehabilitation of the drinking water treatment plant, including construction of separate chemical rooms, upgrades to pumps, replacement of media, and miscellaneous valve, piping and meter replacement. Funding comes from a $1,083,625 DWSRF loan.

September 23, 2022 – Borup, $760,000

This project consists of rehabilitation of aging wastewater treatment facilities. PFA funding for this project comes from a $760,000 WIF grant. In addition to PFA funding, this project received a Federal USDA Office of Rural Development grant of $984,000 and loan of $486,000.

September 23, 2022 – Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, $12,579,701

This project consists of combined heat and power system improvements to the wastewater treatment facility including engine generators to capture and process heat and generate electricity. PFA funding for this project comes from a $11,579,701 CWSRF loan and a $1,000,000 CWSRF Principal Forgiveness grant. In addition to PFA funding, this project also received a state special appropriation of $6,750,000.

September 19, 2022 – Lanesboro, $4,035,311

This funding is for replacement of aging sanitary sewer and watermain in Lanesboro in the area of Kirkwood Street and Rochelle Avenue. Funding for the sanitary sewer work comes from a $461,728 CWSRF loan and a $1,846,912 WIF grant. Funding for the watermain replacement project comes from a $345,334 DWSRF loan and a $1,381,337 DWSRF Principal Forgiveness grant.

September 12, 2022 – Grand Meadow, $4,187,040

Grand Meadow’s project consists of replacement of a sewer lift station and portions of the sanitary sewer collection system. Funding comes from a $4,187,040 CWSRF loan.

September 8, 2022 – Deer River, $1,356,809

This project consists of phase 1 of replacement and expansion of sanitary sewer, storm sewer and drinking water lines. PFA funding for this project is $1,356,809 from a state special appropriation. In addition to PFA funding, this project received a $390,324 Small Cities Development Program grant from DEED, as well as a Federal USDA Office of Rural Development loan of $1,000,867.

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.