In This Issue:
- Metropolitan Council Committee Votes to Pause Funding for Two Livable Communities Programs
- Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program
- Legislative Session Begins Monday, February 12th
Metropolitan Council Committee Votes to Pause Funding for Two Livable Communities Programs
On Monday, the Metropolitan Council’s Community Development Committee met and discussed the draft 2024 Livable Communities Act Fund Distribution Plan. Council staff provided a presentation as well as supplementary information on LCA programs and proposed program changes. Some members shared concerns, and said more changes are needed than were outlined in the draft plan. After some discussion on participation levels in LCA programs and other concerns, a motion was made to fund the Tax Base Revitalization Account (TBRA) and the Local Housing Incentives Account (LHIA) for 2024, but to pause funding for the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and the Livable Communities Development Account (LCDA) program in 2024. The motion passed on a 4-3 vote. This item is expected to be before the full Council next week. Metro Cities is preparing a letter to Metropolitan Council members to express opposition to a pause of 2024 funding for the two LCA programs. Metro Cities’ policies support LCA program access to cities across the region, flexibility in LCA program criteria, and efforts to promote local participation. The association’s legislative policies also stipulate that a consideration of any changes to LCA programs must be done with the participation and input of metropolitan city officials.
Questions? Please contact Ania McDonnell at [email protected] or Patricia Nauman at [email protected].
Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is hosting a public engagement webinar for their Solar on Public Buildings grant program on Thursday, February 22 from 10AM to 11AM. The program will equip cities, townships, counties, and other local governments and Tribal Nations to lower utilities costs, increase energy independence, expand our clean energy workforce, and take essential action to address climate change.
$4.3 million dollars in state funding will be distributed to local governments to build solar arrays (system size up to 40 kilowatts) across Xcel Energy territory in Minnesota. These grants can be paired with federal clean energy tax credits now available to local governments. Click HERE to learn about the program, give your input, and prepare for the upcoming grant application.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Legislative Session Begins Monday, February 12th
The 2024 legislative session begins next Monday, February 12th. Metro Cities will publish a 2024 legislative preview via newsletter next Monday.