In This Issue:
- Reminder! Policy Committees Begin Monday
- E-bike Webinar July 30
- Community Grants to Address Emerald Ash Borer
- 2026 Livable Communities Grant Recipients, Round One
Reminder! Policy Committees Begin Monday
Metro Cities policy committee process begins next Monday, July 27. If you have not signed up and would like to join a committee, please contact Jennifer Dorn at [email protected]. Committee descriptions and dates are on the website.
We look forward to seeing you!
E-bike Webinar July 30
The MN Toward Zero Deaths Program is hosting a free webinar to hear from speakers about e-bikes, including a new e-bike ordinance in the metropolitan area, ongoing statewide e-bike educational programming, health and safety impacts of e-bikes, and potential policy considerations. The webinar will take place on July 30 from 11:00AM to 12:15PM.
Speakers include Lisa Kons, Traffic Safety and Advocacy Director, MN Safety Council, Angela Olson, Deputy and Education Director, Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, Brad Petersen, Interim Director of Public Safety, City of Cottage Grove, Colleen Wood, Pediatric Trauma and Performance Improvement Program Manager, Regions Hospital, and Brynna Knapp, Public Affairs, MN AAA.
The webinar is free, but registration is required. Contact [email protected] for more information. Click HERE to register. Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Community Grants to Address Emerald Ash Borer
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is offering $1.7 million in community grants to address the impact of emerald ash borer on community forests. Applications will open Aug. 3 for the 2026 Protect Community Forests Grants. Funds for these community grants are made available thanks to the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
The grant focuses on removing, treating or replacing trees infested by emerald ash borer. The goal is to help communities build a more diverse and resilient tree canopy. The grant also supports conducting tree inventories, developing management plans, maintaining existing canopy, and providing educational outreach opportunities to residents.
The grant application period opens Aug. 3 and closes Sept. 14, 2026. Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations with 501(c) status, educational institutions, and local units of government are eligible to apply. The maximum grant award is $150,000.
Visit the DNR website (mndnr.gov/2026-protect) for information about the grant, including both virtual and in person informational opportunities across the state, and for guidance on the application process.
In-person session schedule for Metropolitan area:
- St. Paul (with virtual option): Aug. 3, 10-11:30 a.m., DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155
- Minneapolis: Aug. 4, 1-2:30 p.m., Nokomis Library, 5100 34th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
2026 Livable Communities Grant Recipients, Round One
This week, the Metropolitan Council Community Development Committee heard funding recommendations for Livable Communities Act grant programs. This is the first round of funding with the updated programs, following significant program review and stakeholder feedback.
Funding programs include the Policy and Affordable Housing Program Development; Small Area Planning; Pre-Development; Homeownership; Rental, Mixed-Use, and Commercial; and the Site Investigation and Cleanup program. These funds are available to eligible participating cities in the Livable Communities Act program.
The Council received 46 applications for this funding round, including $42.5 million in requests. In total, there is $12.045 million available for this first funding round. Thirty-four total grants were awarded for this first funding round by the Community Development Committee.
Recipients for the Policy and Affordable Housing Program Development include the cities of Blaine, Brooklyn Park, New Brighton, Edina, Saint Louis Park, Rogers, and Arden Hills. This year was the most applications received for this program. This program supports cities to update local zoning codes, create new housing programming, develop curriculum on manufactured housing, and studying how to best use Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) funding. A total of $539,000 was distributed this funding round for this program.
Recipients for the Small Area Planning Program include Falcon Heights, Newport, and New Brighton. This program is to support cities in establishing conditions for dense, connected, and equitable development. A total of $200,000 was distributed for this program.
Recipients for the Pre-Development Program include St. Paul, Brooklyn Center, and Brooklyn Park. A total of $750,000 was distributed for this program. This program is to support any needs related community engagement or site planning.
Recipients for the Homeownership Program include St. Paul, Bloomington, Scott County (Shakopee), Woodbury, and White Bear Lake. $1,750,000 was distributed for this program. This program supports increasing homeownership opportunities.
Recipients for the Rental, Mixed-Use, and Commercial Program include Minneapolis, St. Paul, Saint Louis Park, Shakopee, Falcon Heights, and Oakdale. $6.2 million was distributed for this program for this funding round.
Recipients for the Site Cleanup Program include Norwood Young America, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Falcon Heights, Hopkins, South Saint Paul, and Savage. $2,606,200 in funds were distributed for this program. This program is to support environmental site cleanup.
You can learn more about selected projects and programs in the PowerPoint HERE. You can find the Livable Communities Act Programs page HERE.
Please contact Ania McDonnell at [email protected] with any questions.