Application Process
The application fee for the Minnesota Certified Shovel-Ready Site program is $2,760 + travel costs. Please contact the office for the estimated travel costs. The fee covers the cost of initial review, onsite inspection, final certification, marketing and annual maintenance of the Shovel-Ready program.
The application is a seven-step process.
Step One
Download and save the Shovel-Ready Site Application to your computer. The application is in an Excel file format. Next, view the Instruction Sheet that will guide you through the application.
Step Two
Gather the required support documentation requested in the application. If not all the information, site tests, and assessments are immediately available but will be complete within four to six weeks, finish the application and note when the supporting documentation is expected to be available.
Step Three
Submit electronic copies of the completed application and supporting documentation by email to colleen.eddy@state.mn.us.
It is also acceptable to provide the electronic documents on USB drive or Dropbox, and send them by email to the addresses below.
Step Four
After all necessary documents have been sent electronically AND accepted, mail a check payable to the State of Minnesota to:
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
180 E 5th St Suite 1200
St. Paul, MN 55101
Attn: Colleen Eddy
Step Five
A third party consultant - Impact7G - will review the application and telephone/email the contact listed in the application to schedule an onsite visit.
Step Six
The third party consultant will conduct the onsite visit and discuss aspects of the site. This also is an opportunity to bring together local economic development stakeholders and have a question-and-answer session with the consulting team.
Step Seven
Within six weeks of the onsite visit, the consultant will issue a letter either certifying the site or providing a list of what needs to be completed in order to obtain certification.
FAQs
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the certification process.
May communities or site owners submit more than one site at a time?
Yes. You may submit multiple sites. However, each is considered separately and requires its own application and processing fee. Note that a site consists of parcels that are contiguous.
Are there minimum or maximum limits on site size?
No; however, sites of 20 acres or more are preferred
What happens if my application does not initially qualify for certification?
Your application is valid for 18 months. If you meet the standards within that period, you will receive certification.
Once a site is certified, how do I maintain certification?
You must complete an annual survey regarding changes to the site, and will be asked to update the application document when changes occur. If the site has been sold or has undergone any material changes, you must notify DEED.
