St. Paul – Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced $977,381 in Contamination Cleanup and Investigation grants to six communities statewide. The grants will help the awarded communities fund the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites for private redevelopment.

DEED's Contamination Cleanup Grants cover up to 75% of the costs of removing contamination at approved polluted sites. The remaining costs are covered by cities and counties, other units of local government and private landowners and developers.

This grant round will lead to the investigation or clean up of more than 12 acres of contaminated land and is expected to create 67 jobs, add more than $1 million to the local tax bases and create 353 housing units. More than $84 million in private investment is expected to be leveraged from the six projects.

"The contamination cleanup and investigation grant program is one tool DEED relies on to ensure Minnesota's communities are able to continue to thrive," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "The jobs created and private investment leveraged by these six projects will leave a positive lasting impact on the communities they serve."

Since its inception in 1993, the Contamination Cleanup and Investigation Grant Program has awarded over $207 million in grants, which helped assess and clean up 4,056 acres of land – contributing to the creation or retention of 51,418 jobs and clearing the way for 26,752 new housing units. The program has also leveraged over $10.1 billion in private investments and added more than $151 million to local tax bases.

Details on individual projects below:

City of Bloomington – Apartment and Daycare

DEED awarded the city of Bloomington $550,692 in cleanup funding for this 7.06-acre site contaminated with asbestos. Historically occupied by a commercial fitness facility, the site will be redeveloped into a four-story, 208-unit apartment building and an 11,000 square-foot commercial building to be operated as a daycare. It is anticipated this project will create a minimum of six jobs, increase the tax base by $661,041 and leverage $58 million in private investment. Matching funds will be provided by the developer and other grant sources.  

Local contact – Kenny Niemeyer (952) 563-4981

City of Dundas – Phase Two Environmental Site Assessment

DEED awarded the city of Dundas $19,125 in investigation funding for this 1.5-acre site likely contaminated by agrichemicals. Historically used for agribusiness, this site may be redeveloped as multi-family housing or as mixed-use commercial and residential. Matching funds will be provided by the city. 

Local contact – Jennelle Teppen (507) 645-2852

City of Mankato – Silos

DEED awarded the city of Mankato $76,770 in cleanup funding for this 0.33-acre site contaminated with petroleum and other contaminants. Historically occupied by a machine shop, auto repair garage, welder and food distributor, this site will be redeveloped into a four-story mixed-use building with 26 market-rate apartments and 1,400 square-feet of commercial space. It is anticipated this project will create four jobs, increase the tax base by $79,786 and leverage $6.4 million in private investment. Matching funds will be provided by tax increment financing and the developer.

Local contact – Courtney Kramlinger (507) 387-8711

City of St. Paul – 892 East 7th Street

DEED awarded the city of St. Paul $138,944 in cleanup funding for this 2.2-acre site contaminated with petroleum and other contaminants. Historically developed for residential and commercial uses, including auto repair, this site will be redeveloped into a mixed-use site which includes 40,000-square-feet of commercial space with 60 affordable housing units. The project is anticipated to create 56 new jobs, increase the local tax base by $74,567 and leverage $16.6 million of private investment. Matching funds will be provided by the developer and other grant sources. 

Local contact – Dan Bayers (651) 266-6685

City of Wabasha – Allegheny Apartments

DEED awarded the city of Wabasha $16,650 in investigation funding for this 0.54-acre site. Historically used as a gas station and auto repair shop, the site will be redeveloped into an apartment building with 50 units. It is anticipated this project will create one job and increase the tax base by $135,767. Matching funds will be provided by the Wabasha Port Authority and other grant sources.

Local contact – Caroline Gregerson (651) 560-4860 

City of White Bear Lake – Wildwood Rowhomes 

DEED awarded the city of White Bear Lake $175,200 in cleanup funding for this 0.67-acre site contaminated with petroleum and other contaminants. Historically used as a gas station, this site will be redeveloped into two townhome buildings, consisting of nine residential units. The project is anticipated to increase the local tax base by $54,924 and leverage $3.1 million in private investment. Matching funds will be provided by the developer and other grant sources. 

Local contact – Tracy Shimek (651) 762-4838