Metro Cities News 1/14/22

 

In This Issue:

 

Final Rule Issued for American Rescue Plan Act Funds

This week, the US Department of the Treasury issued the Final Rule for State and Local Coronavirus Relief Funds under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The Final Rule takes effect April 1, 2022. The Final Rule allows a second option for using the recipient’s allocation of funds for lost revenue and expands the use of funds for water and sewer infrastructure as well as broadband. The Final Rule contains a definition for disproportionally affected workers, clarifies the use of funds for capital projects and provides detail on premium pay for eligible workers.

An Overview of the Final Rule can be found here, and the Final Rule here. Metro Cities provided detailed information to cities earlier this week. Links to the Final Rule, Overview and other documents are also located on Metro Cities’ COVID-19 resources page on the association’s website www.metrocitiesmn.org

Please contact Patricia Nauman for further information or questions, at 651-215-4002 or [email protected]


Water Efficiency Grant Program Update

During Wednesday’s meeting of the Metropolitan Council, staff provided information on the Water Efficiency Grant Program and changes for the upcoming 2022-2024 funding cycle. To date, the program has provided funding to help replace over 7,000 devices with more energy efficient models. In the first two iterations of the program, these funds have facilitated the replacement of 1,000 washers, 2,000 irrigation controllers, and over 3,000 toilets. Staff estimates the water savings to equal more than 107 million gallons of water per year.

This year, the program will have $1 million available for which municipalities may apply. The maximum grant amount is $50,000 and the minimum grant amount is $5,000. These grants have a 10% local match requirement. In previous program years the local match was 25%. This change followed a survey sent to individuals from participating Water Efficiency Grant Program communities. Other changes include the addition of dishwashers and soil moisture-based irrigation controllers, and the decision to eliminate the homeowner contribution requirement.

The program will be officially announced next week, and the application will remain open until March 4, 2022. Grant decisions will be made by March 31 with final approval and awarding occurring in late April. Click HERE to view slides on the Water Efficiency Grant Program and HERE to view a recording of this week’s Metropolitan Council meeting.

Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.

 

DEED Announces Metro Contamination Cleanup Awards

DEED announced funding awards to three metropolitan cities this week, with funds coming from the state’s Contamination Cleanup and Investigation Grants program.

The cities of Fridley, St. Louis Park and St. Paul will receive state funds to help with costs associated with removing contamination at approved polluted sites. DEED’s Contamination Cleanup Grants cover up to 75% of the costs to remove contamination. Grants are also awarded for contaminant investigation and response action plan development.

The state’s $1.56 million in awards also include four projects in greater Minnesota. More information on the awards and projects can be found here.

 

 

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