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   St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced over $20.7 million in grants through the Small City Development Program (SCDP) that will support economic development in 33 cities and counties in Greater Minnesota, rehabilitating nearly 300 properties. The City of Hackensack was awarded a $600,000 grant to be used for public facilities improvements to their streetscape.

   “Funding through DEED’s Small Cities Development Program enables cities to undertake projects that promote economic vitality and quality of life in their communities,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “These grants ensure all Minnesotans feel the benefits of economic development and have a safe, healthy community and home, regardless of where they live.”

   SCDP helps cities, townships and counties with funding for housing, public infrastructure and commercial rehabilitation projects. The program primarily supports communities of low or moderate incomes in eliminating slum and blight conditions or urgent threats to public health or safety. This year, 92% of SCDP grant recipients serve people with low and moderate incomes.

   Cities with fewer than 50,000 residents and townships and counties with fewer than 200,000 residents are eligible. DEED administers the grants, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

   Communities can apply for funds for one or more of the following types of projects:

   Residential owner-occupied or rental property improvement projects to increase the quality of dwellings suited for individual or family occupancy. Examples include exterior repairs and replacement projects, insulation, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, lead paint remediation or accessibility modifications.

   Commercial property improvement projects for buildings occupied by retail and independent businesses. This can include façade improvements (e.g. awnings, exterior signs), building code issues and energy efficiency.

Public facility improvement projects that serve neighborhoods or communities, such as community centers, streetscapes or wastewater treatment projects.

   The SCDP program is now accepting preliminary proposals for its next round of grants, the first stage in the grant application process. For more information and to learn how to apply for SCDP grants, visit the SCDP website. SCDP project funding amounts listed below.

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