Grants Available Through the Small Cities Development Program (SCDP)

The SCDP can help Minnesota cities with funding for public facilities improvements. Widseth can assist your city with submitting a winning application. 

1. Program Description

Small Cities Development Program

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

Grants for this program are made to local units of government, predominately cities, for eligible projects. Comprehensive applications can include housing or commercial district rehabilitation.  

Public Facility projects include essential water and wastewater improvements such as water towers, wells, treatment, distribution, or collection systems. Eligible cities are those with 51% or more low and moderate income residents. 

SCDP grants can be used for eligible streetscape and community facilities rehabilitation. 

Streetscape projects must correct slum and blight criteria, as per statute. Grants can provide funding for decorative streetlights, signage, ADA sidewalks with bump-outs, and more.

Grants can also provide funding for the rehabilitation of senior centers, centers for individuals with disabilities, youth centers, and others.

2. Eligibility

• Cities with fewer than 50,000 residents.
• Cities with 51% or more low and moderate income residents.

3. Type of Funding

This funding assistance is provided through a grant.

• The maximum grant award for a single-purpose project is $600,000.
• Comprehensive applications can apply for up to $1.4 million.

4. Application Deadline

• Two-Step Process: Pre-application and full application
• Pre-applications for 2024 funding are now open
• Deadline for 2024 pre-application is November 29, 2023
• The SCDP application and details are available on the Small Business Development Program website

5. How to Get Started 

Get started on your project by contacting Widseth's Funding Department. They can determine if your city is income-eligible.

Public infrastructure projects require engineering work, streetscape renderings, or architectural drawings. Widseth can assist with all elements of a winning SCDP application.