St. Paul, MN – Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced 31 cities, townships and counties across Greater Minnesota will receive nearly $21  million in Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) grants. The funding will be used for commercial and residential property rehabilitation, public facility improvements and other economic development projects.

"DEED's Small Cities Development Program promotes growth in Minnesota's small towns, helping Minnesotans in communities of all sizes feel the benefits of economic development," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "This funding promotes economic growth and prosperity by supporting healthy communities and homes. And it ensures Minnesotans have access to funding that can create a safe and stable living environment, no matter where they are in Minnesota."

This year, 88% 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.

Details on this year's grant recipients are below:

City of Appleton, $943,000.00

Rehabilitation of 20 owner-occupied housing units and eight commercial buildings.

City of Boyd, $600,000.00

Public facility improvements to water distribution lines.

City of Braham, $600,000.00

Rehabilitation of an existing well and connection to water treatment plant.

City of Bricelyn, $600,000.00

Public facility improvements to water distribution lines.

City of Climax, $546,168.00

Public facility improvements to water distribution lines.

City of Cromwell, $600,000.00

Public facility improvements and community center rehabilitation.

City of Crookston, $1,198,000.00

Rehabilitation of 16 owner-occupied housing units, three mixed-use rental housing units and 13 commercial buildings.

City of Fertile, $600,000.00

Public facility improvements to water distribution lines.

City of Franklin, $600,000.00

Public facility improvements to water main looping and water distribution lines.

City of Garfield, $589,950.00

Public facility improvements to repave streets after sewer main replacement.

City of Georgetown, $600,000.00

Public facility improvements to source a water connection to the water supply and water distribution lines.

City of Granite Falls, $600,000.00

Public facility improvements to the streetscape.

City of Halstad, $600,000.00

Public facility improvements to water distribution lines.

City of Hill City, $600,000.00

Public facility improvements to replace the sewer force main.

City of Ivanhoe, $599,150.00

Rehabilitation of eight owner-occupied housing units and 26 rental housing units.

City of Kettle River, $600,000.00

Public facility improvements to the wastewater and portable drinking water.

City of La Crescent, $600,000.00

Public facility improvements to the streetscape.

City of Mantorville, $431,250.00

Rehabilitation of 15 owner-occupied housing units.

City of Maynard, $562,913.00

Public facility infrastructure improvements to the water tower/tank and water plant rehabilitation.

City of McGregor, $600,000.00

Public facility improvements to rehabilitate the wellhouse.

City of Montevideo, $600,000.00

Rehabilitation of 42 rental housing units.

City of New Munich, $445,625.00

Rehabilitation of 10 owner-occupied housing units and 11 rental housing units.

City of Park Rapids, $1,003,900.00

Rehabilitation of 15 rental housing units, seven mixed-use units and 18 commercial buildings.

City of Pelican Rapids, $948,750.00

Rehabilitation of 17 owner-occupied housing units and 10 commercial buildings.

City of Revere, $600,000.00

Public facility improvements to the stormwater conveyance system including catch basins, manholes, storm sewer pipe and service laterals.

City of Russell, $460,000.00

Rehabilitation of 12 owner-occupied housing units and eight rental housing units.

City of Ruthton & Tyler, $1,194,550.00

Rehabilitation of 22 owner-occupied housing units and public facility improvements to the water tower.

City of Zumbrota, $597,713.00

Rehabilitation of 21 owner-occupied housing units.

Kittson County, $563,500.00

Rehabilitation of 20 owner-occupied housing units.

Marshall County, $575,000.00

Rehabilitation of 20 owner-occupied housing units.

Wilkin County, $1,173,000.00

Rehabilitation of 20 owner-occupied housing units and 13 commercial buildings.