In This Issue:
- Regional Solicitation Awards Approved by Metropolitan Council
- Solar on Public Buildings Round 2
- Policy Committee Meetings Update
Regional Solicitation Awards Approved by Metropolitan Council
At their meeting on August 28th, the Metropolitan Council voted to approve the slate of projects funded via the 2024 Regional Solicitation. Following the scoring of submitted solicitation project applications, Council staff developed three funding options for consideration by the TAB and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC, based on feedback from the TAB, developed a fourth option to build consensus and incorporate the best pieces from each of the original three scenarios. This “hybrid” option funds all projects included in both the safety-focused, and bike/ped heavy scenarios.
The hybrid option was unanimously passed by the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB). The total funding from all sources in is $282 million. Part of that total includes $18.7 million for 17 active transportation projects funded with the portion of the regional sales tax revenue allocated for that purpose. Click HERE to view a more detailed document for this business item, which includes the list of funded projects for each modal category. Click HERE to view a map of the funded projects.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Solar on Public Buildings Round 2
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is hosting a public engagement webinar ahead of the second solicitation for solar on public buildings grant funds. Join the webinar on Thursday, September 5, 1:30-2:30pm to learn about the program, proposed updates from Round 1, give your input, and prepare for the upcoming grant application (opening Monday, October 21, 2024).
The Solar on Public Buildings Grant 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.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Policy Committee Meetings Update
This week marks completion of the second round of Metro Cities’ four legislative policy committees. The Municipal Revenues Committee and Metropolitan Agencies Committee have completed their work and will not hold September meetings. The Transportation and General Government Committee and Housing and Economic Development Committee will meet the week of September 23rd. Questions? Contact Jennifer Dorn at [email protected].