Minnesota DEED awards 31 small cities development grants

Grants totaling $16.85 million were awarded to 31 communities in Greater Minnesota to help pay for rehabilitating housing and commercial structures and improving infrastructure.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded the funding under its Small Cities Development Program.

“These grants will make it possible for communities to complete projects that they could not otherwise afford,” said DEED Commissioner Mark Phillips. “The projects will create local jobs and help improve the quality of life in many of our small towns.”

The following local cities received a grant:

Alexandria: $471,968 for owner-occupied housing and commercial rehabilitation.

Hoffman: $477,000 for rental housing rehabilitation.

The Small Cities Development Program makes grants available to cities and townships with populations less than 50,000 and counties with populations less than 200,000. Funding is awarded to eligible communities for rehabilitating existing housing stock for low- to moderate-income residents, public infrastructure projects including sewer and wastewater treatment improvements, and comprehensive projects that address a community need.

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, visit www.positivelyminnesota.com.

Tags: local news, news, deed, development, grants