In This Issue:
- Metro Cities Breakfast at LMC Annual Conference
- 2023 Metro Cities Policy Committees
- HomeHelpMN Program Still Accepting Applications
- Federal Tax Credits to Cities for a Clean Energy Transition
- Congratulations, Mike and Lauren!
Metro Cities Breakfast at LMC Annual Conference
Metro Cities will host a breakfast at the League of Minnesota Cities 2023 Annual Conference from 8:00-9:00 a.m. next Friday, June 23. Breakfast will be held at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) in the Split Rock room. We hope you will join us! Please visit https://www.lmc.org/learning-events/events/league-events/2023-lmc-annual-conference/ for more information.
2023 Metro Cities Policy Committees
Metro Cities 2023 policy committee meetings will begin late July, and your participation is encouraged! Committees will recommend the association’s legislative policies for 2024. Participation is open to member city elected officials and staff, and committee descriptions and dates are on Metro Cities’ website. Please be sure to sign up for the committee(s) you wish to attend. We look forward to seeing you this summer!
HomeHelpMN Program Still Accepting Applications
The HomeHelpMN program is a federally funded, temporary emergency program to support homeowners that experienced hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will have disbursed all available funds soon. The HomeHelpMN program has moved to a waitlist but is still accepting applications, and MN Housing is encouraging homeowners who have past-due housing expenses to continue to apply as there are still funds available. To assist those who may benefit, please Share this link.
Federal Tax Credits to Cities for a Clean Energy Transition
On Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Commerce presented information on the new directly refundable federal tax credits that will be available to cities through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. These tax credits are a way for the federal government to incentivize local governments to participate in the clean energy transition. These tax credits are “direct pay” for local governments, Tribes, and non-profits. These include both production tax credits and the investment tax credits. These tax credits are not capped and are available for the next 10 years. The tax credits will be paid after project completion, meaning your city will need bridge funding. You can see the PowerPoint presentation overview HERE.
Minnesota enacted a state competitiveness fund to support local governments in leveraging federal funds. This includes $100 million in matching funds for federal grants, $6 million for technical assistance grants, and $75 million in grants to leverage tax credits and loans for projects serving disadvantaged communities.
In addition to the Treasury press release, you can find FAQs and fact sheets that outline key information contained in the proposed guidance. You can also find information on CleanEnergy.gov/directpay.
The Department of Treasury will be hosting an overview session via zoom on June 29th at 11:00 am CT with more information. You can register for the briefing here.
Congratulations, Mike and Lauren!
Congratulations to Metro Cities' Government Relations Specialist Mike Lund and his spouse Lauren, who were married last Saturday. Best wishes to you both as you start your married life together!