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The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development last week announced 31 cities, townships and counties across Greater Minnesota, including the city of Bricelyn, will receive nearly $21 million in Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) grants. The funding will be used for commercial and residential property rehabilitation, public facility improvements and other economic development projects.

“DEED’s Small Cities Development Program promotes growth in Minnesota’s small towns, helping Minnesotans in communities of all sizes feel the benefits of economic development,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “This funding promotes economic growth and prosperity by supporting healthy communities and homes. And it ensures Minnesotans have access to funding that can create a safe and stable living environment, no matter where they are in Minnesota.”

This year, 88% of SCDP grant recipients serve people with low and moderate incomes.

Cities with fewer than 50,000 residents and townships and counties with fewer than 200,000 residents are eligible. DEED administers the grants, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Communities can apply for funds for one or more of the following types of projects:

• Residential owner-occupied or rental property improvement projects to increase the quality of dwellings suited for individual or family occupancy. Examples include exterior repairs and replacement projects, insulation, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, lead paint remediation or accessibility modifications.
• Commercial property improvement projects for buildings occupied by retail and independent businesses. This can include façade improvements (e.g. awnings, exterior signs), building code issues and energy efficiency.
• Public facility improvement projects that serve neighborhoods or communities, such as community centers, streetscapes or wastewater treatment projects.

The city of Bricelyn will receive $600,000 to go toward the rehabilitation of an existing well and connection to the water treatment plant.