The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) approved $26 million in loan and grant funding for water infrastructure projects in Minnesota. Funding was approved for Evansville, Verndale, Windom and Dennison.
“Access to clean, usable water is essential for all Minnesotans,” said Governor Tim Walz. “This funding will support projects that give these Greater Minnesota communities the ability to improve their water resources.”
“Investing in infrastructure shows that these communities are eager to serve current and future business and workforce needs,” said PFA chair and commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Steve Grove. “These PFA dollars are a valuable resource to communities all across Minnesota.”
Details on the individual projects are below:
Evansville, $3,287,590
This project consists of the rehabilitation of the drinking water treatment plant, construction of a new water tower, and installation of new water meters. The city received a grant of $2,630,072 from the Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF) and a 30-year 1 percent loan of $657,518 from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF). The DWRF loan will save taxpayers and estimated $216,595 compared to market-rate financing.
Verndale, $3,705,878
Verndale’s project consists of construction of a new drinking water treatment plant and other improvements to the drinking water system. Funding for this project includes a DWRF loan of $864,462. The 1 percent 20-year-loan is estimated to save taxpayers $148,731 when compared to market-rate financing. The rest of the funding will come from a $444,315.72 WIF grant, and a $2,397,100.28 DWRF principal forgiveness grant.
Windom, $18,941,979
This project consists of advanced treatment improvements to meet nutrient limits, rehabilitation of the existing treatment facility, and CIPP lining of sanitary sewer lines. Funding will come in the form of a $6,317,646 Point Source Implementation Grant, a special legislative appropriation of $3,000,000 and a $9,624,333 Clean Water Revolving Fund loan. The CWRF loan is a 1 percent 20-year-loan and is estimated to save taxpayers $1,213,886 when compared to the cost of market-rate financing.
Dennison, $321,665
This project consists of the predesign, design and construction of a new lift station and the installation of electric service to the sewer ponds. Funding for this project comes from a 2017 special legislative appropriation for the improvements.
The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) provides financing and technical assistance to help communities build and maintain public infrastructure that protects public health and the environment and promotes economic growth. Since its inception in 1987 the PFA has financed $4.5 billion in public infrastructure projects in communities throughout Minnesota.