The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) recently announced nearly $200 million in loans and grants for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects throughout the state of Minnesota. Nearly a third of that amount is finding its way to Duluth and surrounding communities.
"That's a huge number for us," says Chad Kolstad, Acting Director for The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) about the amount of money set aside for these projects. The MPFA has been providing funds for projects of this kind through the state since 1987. "We fund a lot of infrastructure projects on an annual basis," says Kolstad. Some of the upcoming projects in the area include installing new water mains in Floodwood, replacing aging water mains in Hibbing, and a variety of projects in the Duluth area.
Of the $197.6 million in grants and loans being distributed by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), about $58 million will be used for the Duluth, Hibbing and Floodwood projects. Another $13.8 million is going to International Falls to rehabilitate a water treatment plant. More information about can be found on the DEED website.
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