In This Issue:
- RSVP for Metro Cities Policy Adoption Meeting November 21st!
- Federal Highway Administration PROTECT Grant Opportunity
- Presentation on Community Tree Planting Grants
- Community Development Committee Recommends 2024 LCA Grant Funding
RSVP for Metro Cities Policy Adoption Meeting November 21st!
Metro Cities’ legislative policies will receive final adoption at the Policy Adoption Meeting Thursday, November 21st at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be virtual and will feature Distinguished Professor David Schultz of Hamline University as our guest speaker. Draft legislative policies can be viewed HERE. A quorum is required for the adoption of policies. RSVP to Jennifer Dorn at [email protected]. We hope to see you!
Federal Highway Administration PROTECT Grant Opportunity
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Years (FY) 2024-2026 Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program. Applications for FY 2024-2025 are due by February 24th, 2025. Applications for FY 2026 are due by February 24th, 2026. View NOFO here.
The PROTECT Program offers grants to enhance resilience in surface transportation, focusing on projects that address natural hazards like climate change, flooding, and other extreme weather events. This funding opportunity is a part of the BIL/IIJA and supports planning activities, community resilience, evacuation routes, and at-risk coastal infrastructure. Click HERE to learn more.
FHWA is hosting several webinars to support applicants. Click HERE to view the full schedule, register, and access recordings after the sessions.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Presentation on Community Tree Planting Grants
The Metropolitan Council’s Community Development Committee heard an informational presentation on Monday regarding plans to establish a community tree planting grant program. The Council was directed by the legislature in 2024 to establish a tree planting program to provide grants to cities, counties, townships, and implementing agencies.
Eligible uses of funds from this program include the removal and planting of shade trees on public land, the replacement of trees lost to pests, disease, and storms, and other activities that increase resiliency in our region's community forests. The legislation passed in 2024 prioritizes projects related to emerald ash borer impacted trees and projects located in environmental justice areas (using the supplemental demographic index).
Committee discussion revolved around next steps for the Council as this program is developed. Questions include how to prioritize grant awards beyond what is laid out in statute and an acknowledgment that the funding is currently available on a one-time basis.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Community Development Committee Recommends 2024 LCA Grant Funding
On Monday, the Metropolitan Council’s Community Development Committee (CDC) heard and made funding recommendations for the 2024 Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) Development Grant Program. This program provides grants for projects which support development and redevelopment that link housing, jobs and services and that use community and regional infrastructure efficiently. The Council allocated $9.8 million for the 2024 grant program. This year, the Council used a one-step scoring process, with approval by a review panel. The Committee recommended nine grants, out of 12 applications totaling all $9.8 million. Recommended for funding are the cities of Brooklyn Center, Little Canada, Minneapolis, Richfield, St. Paul, Vadnais Heights, and Woodbury. Some projects were partially funded. View a presentation of the projects HERE.
The CDC also made recommendations for the 2024 Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Grant Program. This program is intended to promote moderate to high density development projects within walking distance of a major transit stop. There were $5.5 million in grants available for this program in 2024, with a $2 million cap per city applicant for this program. The Council received five applications from three cities. Recommended projects are in Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis, and Saint Paul. View a presentation of projects HERE.