ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced today that it has awarded nearly $1.6 million in grants to infrastructure projects in Greater Minnesota.

The funding, awarded from DEED's Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure (BDPI) Grant Program, is for projects in St. James and Delano. Developers expect to use the funding to retain or create 96 jobs and prepare these cities for future growth.

"DEED is committed to helping cities across the state grow and thrive economically," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "Our Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure grant program is one of the many ways we do that."

The BDPI grant program supports communities outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Under the program, DEED awards 50% of eligible capital costs for qualifying public infrastructure projects that support economic development. These projects include wastewater collection and treatment, drinking water, storm sewers, streets and more.

The following is a breakdown of the latest funding:

St. James - $259,956

DEED awarded $259,956 to the city of St. James to assist with constructing a street and extending utilities in the St. James Industrial Park as part of Great River Energy's expansion. Great River Energy will be investing $4 million in their expansion and creating or retaining 10 jobs. The infrastructure will also provide an additional 1.4-acre lot for a future business. The total cost of the infrastructure project is $574,914. The city is providing the remaining project funding.

Delano - $1,334,000

DEED awarded the city of Delano $1,334,000 to assist with constructing two streets and extending utilities for the Northwest Industrial Park expansion. The primary beneficiary of the project will be a Cemstone expansion. Cemstone will be investing $10 million and the project will create or retain 26 jobs. The project will also provide two additional lots, one of which is planned for West End Business Condos. The company developing the space is investing $8 million to construct a business incubator to be leased out. In total, the project is expected to attract $20 million in private investment and create or retain 86 jobs. The total cost of the public infrastructure project is $2,869,000. The city is providing the remaining funding.