June 15 - DEED Targets Funding for Infrastructure

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has $12.5 million in grants available for communities that need help paying for public infrastructure related to business development projects.

The funding, which was signed into law by Gov. Pawlenty during the 2010 legislative session, includes $8.5 million for the Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program and $4 million for the Innovative Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program.

“These grants are a wise investment in Minnesota’s future,” said DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy. “They will create jobs and stimulate economic development throughout the state.”

The Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program will cover up to 50 percent of the public infrastructure costs for economic development projects that expand or retain jobs, increase the local tax base or stimulate economic development outside the seven-county Twin Cities area.

Infrastructure can include wastewater collection and treatment, drinking water, storm sewers, utility extensions and streets.

Qualified economic development projects include manufacturing operations, warehouse and distribution centers, research and development facilities, agricultural processing plants and industrial parks. Retail developments and office projects do not qualify under the program.

More details on the program, including an application packet, are available at www.tinyurl.com/publicinfrastructure.

The second program, the Innovative Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program, will cover up to 50 percent of the public infrastructure costs for “innovative businesses” that expand or retain jobs. Funding can be used for land acquisition and preparation, telecommunications, bridges, parking ramps, demolition, hazard remediation, pre-design, construction, equipment and furnishings.

The program defines an innovative business as a firm that is researching, developing or producing proprietary technology for a product, process or service. The business can be in a high-technology field, tourism, forestry, mining, transportation or green manufacturing.

More details on the program, including an application packet, are available at www.tinyurl.com/innovativebusiness.

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 our services, visit us at www.PositivelyMinnesota.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PositivelyMN.

Upon request, the information in this news release is available in an alternative format such as Braille, large print, audiotape or computer disk.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Communications Office
Phone 651/259-7161 or 1-800-657-3858 ∙ TTY 1-800-657-3973
www.PositivelyMinnesota.com