St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) grants totaling nearly $19 million for infrastructure and rehabilitation projects in 32 Minnesota cities.

SCDP grants are part of the Community Development Block Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The SCDP grants pay for rehabilitating housing and commercial buildings and updating public infrastructure in small cities and counties.

“These grants will help small Minnesota cities move forward with essential improvements to housing and public infrastructure,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “The funding comes at a good time to assist Greater Minnesota communities in their recovery from the economic impacts of COVID-19.”

Cities and townships with populations under 50,000 and counties with populations under 200,000 can apply for SCDP grants. Eligible projects must meet one of three objectives: benefit people of low and moderate incomes; eliminate slum and blighted conditions; or eliminate an urgent threat to public health or safety.

Projects must be completed within 30 months. Extensions due to extenuating circumstances must be requested four months in advance. You can find out more about SCDP grants on the DEED website .

The grant awards announced today represent both rounds of SCDP grants to be announced in 2020.

The following cities received SCDP grants in the first round of awards:

Askov, $600,000

Public facility improvements.

Bemidji, $388,125

Owner occupied housing.

Florence, $585,000

Public facility improvements.

Goodhue/Dennison, $528,420

Owner occupied housing.

Greenbush, $1,108,000

Owner occupied housing, rental housing, commercial and streetscape improvements.

Jasper/Magnolia, $599,991

Owner occupied housing.

Lake Lillian, $600,000

Public facility improvements.

Murdock, $600,000

Public facility improvements.

Ogilvie, $600,000

Public facility improvements.

Springfield, $531,300

Owner occupied housing.

Wabasha, $528,420

Owner occupied housing.

Waterville, $287,500

Owner occupied housing.

The following cities received SCDP grants in the second round of awards:

Annandale, $485,356

Rental housing and commercial.

Appleton, $747,500

Owner occupied housing and commercial.

Argyle, $759,000

Owner occupied housing, rental and commercial.

Battle Lake, $943,000

Owner occupied housing and commercial.

Belle Plaine, $603,750

Owner occupied housing and commercial.

Blue Earth, $317,400

Owner occupied housing.

Clara City, $701,500

Owner occupied housing, rental and commercial.

Fairmont, $885,500

Owner occupied housing and commercial.

Hinckley, $437,000

Rental housing and commercial.

Lamberton, $782,000

Owner occupied housing and commercial.

Mapleton, $345,000

Owner occupied housing.

McIntosh, $394,450

Rental housing.

Mille Lacs County, $391,000

Rental housing and commercial.

Mora, $393,300

Owner occupied housing and rental.

Redwood Falls, $864,800

Owner occupied housing and commercial.

Roseau, $625,600

Owner occupied housing and commercial.

St. Charles, $599,955

Owner occupied housing and rental.

Trimont, $431,250

Owner occupied housing.

Underwood, $488,750

Owner occupied housing.

Wadena, $681,720

Owner occupied housing, rental and commercial.

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 about the agency and its services, visit the DEED website or follow DEED on Twitter .