The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) recently announced $122 million in loans and Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF) grants in the first half of 2020 for water and infrastructure projects in 24 communities throughout Minnesota.
Widseth helped secure funding for water and infrastructure projects in Grey Eagle, Nisswa, and Starbuck.
Grey Eagle received a $825,000 grant from the Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF), a $3,225,000 grant from the USDA Rural Development, and a $1,175,000 loan from the USDA Rural Development for a total of $5,225,000. With this money, they will install new sanitary sewer, manholes, and lift stations.
Nisswa received a $5,208,648 loan from the Clean Water Revolving Fund (CWRF). The city will rehabilitate and expand their wastewater treatment system including spray irrigation system with this loan.
Starbuck received a loan of $2,411,776 from the CWRF and Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) for their water and wastewater infrastructure project. They will replace aging sanitary sewer and watermains in conjunction with a MnDOT project for Trunk Highways 28, 29, and 114. They will also rehabilitate two pump stations and replace a forcemain with the funds.
The PFA administers and oversees the financial management of three revolving loan funds and other programs that help local units of government construct facilities for clean water, drinking water, and transportation infrastructure projects.
“COVID-19 hasn’t postponed the need for Minnesotans to protect one of our most prized natural resources, our water,” said PFA Chair and Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Steve Grove. “These 24 projects will help local communities protect their waterways and prepare for future economic growth.”