Metro Cities News 12/03/21

 

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Metro Cities’ Policy Adoption Meeting is Next Thursday, December 9!

Metro Cities’ 2022 legislative policy adoption meeting is next Thursday, December 9th at 12:00 noon. Please join us! The meeting will begin with brief remarks by LMC President D.Love, Mayor, City of Centerville, and Metro Cities’ President Melanie Mesko Lee, City Manager, City of Burnsville. Following the policy adoption, we will hear from Megan Dayton, State Demographer’s office on metropolitan trends from the 2020 Census. Draft policies can be viewed HERE.

A quorum of members is required to adopt policies and cities should identify a delegate for voting purposes. For more information and to RSVP, please email Jennifer Dorn at [email protected]. We hope to see you on the 9th!

 

Governor’s Council on Economic Expansion Presents Report

The Governor’s Council on Economic Expansion presented its Phase One report to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor this week. As Metro Cities has reported, the Council was established to recommend policies and strategies for the public, private, and nonprofit sectors that support shared economic prosperity. The Council also makes funding recommendations for a range of programs funded through the state’s share of federal ARPA dollars. The final report is available here. The Governor is expected to consider these recommendations for the 2022 legislative session.

 

Redevelopment Grant and Demolition Loan Program Announces Next $2 Million Funding Round

DEED will make $2 million available for the February 2022 funding round of the Redevelopment Grant and Demolition Loan Program. Metro Cities provided key advocacy for this funding in the 2021 legislative session. Funds assist with the cost of demolition and abatement and other improvements, such as soil stabilization and site preparation related to infrastructure necessary for redeveloping blighted property. Demolition Loan funds help public entities demolish and abate blighted structures and prepare the site for potential future development.

An upcoming webinar will provide information on application requirements, including eligible applicants and activities, and projects that will compete well for grant or loan funds. See below for details.

Redevelopment Microsoft Teams webinar
Wednesday, December 15, 2021, 10:00 am
Join on your computer or mobile app (computer audio required)
Join the Redevelopment Webinar
The meeting link is also available at Resources and Workshops.
For questions, contact Kristin Lukes, 651-259-7451 or [email protected]

An overview of the Redevelopment Grant Program and Demolition Loan Program along with applications, forms and instructions are available on DEED’s website. The application deadline is 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

 

EAB Grant Application Now Open

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications until Monday, January 24, 2022 for its Protect Community Forests Grant program. The DNR has $2.4 million available for projects that manage emerald ash borer (EAB) through community forestry activities on public lands. The maximum award amount is $150,000 and no matching funds are required. Cities and other local units of government are eligible to apply, with priority being given to entities with professional tree care credentials, projects removing and replacing ash trees, and projects that benefit underserved populations. Click HERE to view the grant web page that includes links to application materials and information on eligible project expenses. Grantees will be notified by Monday, February 14, 2022.

Submit questions about the grant and application to [email protected]. Questions must be submitted no later than January 12, 2022. Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any other questions.

 

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