The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced today that it has awarded $2,382,067 in grants to infrastructure projects in Greater Minnesota.

The funding, awarded from DEED’s Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program (BDPI), was approved for Cohasset and St. James. It is expected to retain and create 167 full-time jobs and prepare these cities for future growth.

“DEED is committed to helping cities and towns across the state grow,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “These projects in Cohasset and St. James are great examples of why the Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure grants programs are a great way to do just that.”

The BDPI grant program supports communities outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Under the program, DEED awards 50% of eligible capital costs for the qualifying public infrastructure projects. These projects include wastewater collection and treatment, drinking water, storm sewers, and more.

The following is a breakdown of the latest funding:

Cohasset - $2,000,000

The city of Cohasset was awarded $2,000,000 to assist with the extension of water and sewer lines that will allow the construction of an 800,000 square foot facility for Huber Engineered Woods. The project will create 158 direct jobs and many more indirect through 275 lumber trucks brought to the facility daily. Private Investment in the project will be $382,800,000 and tax base increase is estimated to be $58.6 million. Total cost of the public infrastructure project is $5,790,307.

St. James – $382,067

The city of St. James was awarded $382,067 to assist with street and utilities for the expansion to Central Farm Services. The $19.5 million of private investment in the feed mill expansion will assist the company to manufacture and warehouse pelletized feed. The project will add and retain 9 jobs. The project will increase tax base by $6 million. The total cost of the public infrastructure project is $764,133.