11/2/2023 1:55:34 PM
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced today that they have awarded more than $2.3 million in grants to infrastructure projects in Greater Minnesota. The projects are expected to fund 946 full-time jobs in three communities.
"In Minnesota, we know that investing in infrastructure builds strong communities and grows our economy," said Governor Walz. "These infrastructure projects in Greater Minnesota will create jobs, attract investment, and improve the lives of Minnesotans."
The funding, awarded through DEED's Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program (BDPI), will support projects in Hutchinson, Bemidji, and Princeton.
"Grants from our BDPI program help encourage the kind of economic development that will add and keep jobs around the state" said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "These investments in public infrastructure are more vital than ever to communities in Greater Minnesota, and we're excited to partner with Hutchinson, Bemidji and Princeton to spur local economic growth."
The BDPI grant program supports communities outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Under the program, DEED awards 50% of eligible capital costs for qualifying public infrastructure projects, including streets, wastewater collection and treatment, drinking water, storm sewers, and more.
This round of grants include:
The city of Hutchinson was awarded $53,821 to construct a storm water pond and street improvements to allow development on a 1.8 acre lot in Hutchinson's industrial park. The city estimates the lot will attract a business that will create 10 jobs and invest $1.5 million on the site. The total cost of the infrastructure project is $107,643.
The city of Bemidji was awarded $1,509,300 to construct streets and utilities to allow development of five hangars at the Bemidji Regional Airport. One of the hangars will allow Bemidji Aviation to expand in the city, investing $8.5 million and retaining and adding 135 jobs. Bemidji Aviation is the UPS air freight partner for the Upper Midwest, and also provides air cargo transportation throughout the country. The total cost of the infrastructure project is $3,268,400.
The city of Princeton was awarded $750,000 to assist with street and utility improvements to expand the Princeton Industrial Park. The new infrastructure will open 44 acres and five lots for industrial development. The city expects to create and retain 801 jobs and attract $63 million in private investment within five years. Element Group, a metal fabrication and finishing company, is the first business to commit to a lot. The company will construct a $15.6 million facility and create or retain 165 jobs. The total cost of the public infrastructure project is $1,842,016.
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