Two Central Minnesota Cities Get Grants To Retain, Expand Employment

(KNSI) – Two Central Minnesota Cities have been awarded grants to make infrastructure improvements.

The $1,895,000 worth of grants comes from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program (BDPI).

Sauk Centre was awarded $1,320,000 to assist with a new 58-acre industrial park. The city estimates $177 million in private investment and 20 new jobs in the park within five years.

The industrial park will provide additional capacity for long-term growth.

Princeton was awarded $575,000 to assist with extensions of streets and utilities to allow Northwoods Manufacturing and Sylva Corporation to expand.

The companies project will allow them to retain and add 170 full-time jobs.

“Investments in public infrastructure are critical to the economic success of Greater Minnesota communities,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “These grants will help spur that economic development and will create and retain 190 jobs in Princeton and Sauk Centre.”

The BDPI grant program supports communities outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Under the program, DEED awards 50% of eligible capital costs for the qualifying public infrastructure projects.

These projects include wastewater collection and treatment, drinking water, storm sewers, and more.

___