Rita Beatty 651-259-7534 rita.beatty@state.mn.us

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) today announced loans and grants for water infrastructure projects in five different communities. The cities of Dumont, Ostrander, Robbinsdale, Walker and the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District received more than $42 million in funding from the PFA.

"The PFA continues to be an important source of investment in our communities' infrastructure," said PFA Chair and Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Steve Grove. "I congratulate these five communities on their awards."

The Minnesota PFA provides financing and technical assistance to help communities build and maintain infrastructure that protects public health and the environment and promotes economic growth. Since its inception in 1987, the PFA has financed over $5 billion in public infrastructure projects in communities throughout Minnesota. Read more on the PFA website.

Funding projects listed below:

Dumont - $900,000 

This project consists of repairing the sanitary sewer collection system. The PFA will provide a $900,000 Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF) grant for the project. The USDA Office of Rural Development grant will provide an additional $965,000.

Ostrander - $180,000

This project consists of sanitary sewer improvements. The PFA will be providing $180,000 of the cost via a WIF grant. The rest of the funding will come from the USDA Office of Rural Development in the form of a $1,021,000 grant and a $288,000 loan.

Robbinsdale – $36,430,904

This project consists of constructing a new drinking water treatment plant, two new wells and reconstruction of an existing well. The PFA is covering the total project cost with a Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) loan of $36,430,904 at 1.00%.

Walker - $3,484,510

This project consists of aging watermain and sanitary sewer pipe in the area north of highway 371 and east of 7th street. Funding for these projects comes from the PFA in the form of a Clean Water Revolving Fund (CWRF)  loan of $1,830,138 at 1.00%, a DWRF loan of $989,100 at 1.00% and a DWRF principal forgiveness grant of $665,272.

Western Lake Superior Sanitary District – $1,091,051

The District provides wastewater treatment for Duluth and many other neighboring communities. This project consists of treatment plant improvements to the land application building and the screw pump equipment. Funding comes from the PFA in the form of CWRF loans totaling $1,091,051 at 1.00%.

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DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more information about the agency and its services visit the DEED website or follow DEED on Twitter.