Alternative Transportation Grant Received by Warroad
Warroad received a $636,000 Alternative Transportation grant funded by the state to construct a trail from the NE side of town to downtown and school.
Federal Transportation Alternatives Grants Received by Thief River Falls, Crookston & Middle River
Thief River Falls received a $760,000 Federal Transportation Alternatives grant to construct a trail from Lincoln Highschool to the west side of the city. Crookston received a $1,120,000 Federal Transportation Alternatives grant to construct sidewalks connecting to the highway 2 project. Middle River received a $112,000 Federal Transportation Alternatives grant to construct trails.
Federal Transportation Grant Received by Fosston
Fosston received a $349,000 Federal Transportation grant to construct trails in the NE side of the city.
Federal Carbon Reduction Program Grants Received by Thief River Falls, Ada, Fosston, Warren, Roseau & Marshall County
Thief River Falls received a $592,000 Federal Carbon Reduction Program grant to construct new sidewalk/trail near Franklin School. Thief River Falls received a $135,000 Federal Carbon Reduction grant to update streetlights to LED. Ada received a $112,000 Federal Carbon Reduction grant to update streetlights to LED. Fosston received a $249,000 Federal Carbon Reduction grant to construct sidewalk/trail connecting the High School to downtown. Warren received a $40,000 Federal Carbon Reduction grant to update streetlights to LED. Roseau received a $253,000 Federal Carbon Reduction grant to use on the Roseau River Trail. Marshall County received a $33,000 Federal Carbon Reduction grant to use on the Florian Park trail.
Alternative Transportation Grant Received by Warroad
Warroad received a $636,000 Alternative Transportation grant funded by the state to construct a trail from the NE side of town to downtown and school.
US Economic Development Administration - Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance
Crookston, MN Colburn Industrial Park Expansion $3.3 million "The new infrastructure will include a roadway, water, and wastewater lines that will add 73 acres of developable lots to the industrial park. The project will create 75 jobs and once completed, provide the city with resources to spur their economic growth." https://www.smith.senate.gov/u-s-senators-amy-klobuchar-and-tina-smith-announce-award-to-improve-infrastructure-in-polk-county/ This EDA investment will be matched with $3.8 million in local and potentially state funds.
NW MN Foundation -
Region One Market Rate/Workforce Housing Phase II Grant $80,500
The NW Minnesota region is rich in economic opportunities. In fact, multiple employers in the region are seeking the immediate addition of 100-400 employees. The lack of available housing remains an overwhelming barrier for many who are already working in or looking to begin employment in the region. There is a critical need for "market rate" housing in many of our communities, creating a significant impact on employers' ability to realize additional economic growth. This grant intends to build the capacity of communities in northwest Minnesota to respond to imminent housing needs by: • Engaging stakeholders to better understand needs. • Creating advocacy tools to promote the region’s values to the state as a whole; and • Develop an implementation framework for potential solutions, supported by an on-line, open-source toolkit.
US Economic Development Administration - American Rescue Plan
Fosston, MN Industrial Park/Airport Expansion $5.8 million This project will provide expanded road, water, wastewater, and natural gas capacity to create eight new industrial park lots, as well as construction of a six-unit multi-use hangar at the airport to encourage new fixed-base operators to locate there. The EDA investment will be matched with $1.4 million in local funds and is expected to create 250 jobs, retain 100 jobs and generate $50 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
Otto Bremer Trust -
Region I Market Rate/Workforce Housing HUB grant $25,000
Funds provided would initiate the creation of a regional housing hub to ensure local governments in the region have access to the tools and expertise needed to apply for future funding rounds, while also encouraging regional collaboration. Additionally, with rural housing as its primary focus, this entity will serve as a liaison between northwest Minnesota and state housing agencies and personnel, continually advocating for program modifications that give smaller population communities an equitable opportunity to receive and administer funding. The goal of this grant will be to determine the long-term structure of this regional housing hub, whether it should be independently created or housed within an existing regional organization.
US Economic Development Administration - Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965
Roseau, MN West Side Storm Sewer Modification project $2.4 million EDA investment in the proposed project would see the construction of appropriately sized storm sewer infrastructure in an area of frequent flooding, reducing the frequency and magnitude of the threat to local businesses. This project will also be an investment in the continued improvement of Hwy 89 in the coming years. The overall investment will improve the area’s foundational assets and allow for expanded commerce and shipment of goods along this entire regional corridor. The investment the city is seeking now for flood mitigation will allow for future expansion at the Polaris site and continued growth for the complementary businesses which serve Polaris and employ an additional 200 workers.
Age Friendly Minnesota “Thrive in Thief River” 55+ Housing Advance Thief River, U of M Extension & NWRDC - $28,000
The project goal is to develop a strategic plan for 55+ older adult housing that addresses their health, accessibility, and social needs. It will build on the 2024 Thief River Falls Housing Study and use a human-centered design approach that engages multiple stakeholders to develop an action plan for the development of 55+ housing. The plan process will prioritize features that support active lifestyles, such as walkable community spaces, accessible design elements that reduce fall risks, and amenities that encourage regular physical activity. Older adults will play an active role through focus groups and community forums. This inclusive approach will ensure the final plans reflect 55+ preferences and aspirations, fostering housing solutions that enhance quality of life, support independence, and keep seniors socially engaged.
Thief River Falls Named a Bicycle Friendly Community
The League of American Bicyclists has designated Thief River Falls as a Bicycle Friendly Community at the Bronze level. This award is presented only to communities with strong commitments to bicycling. For more information, visit: https://www.bikeleague.org/
A Cross-sector Collaboration to Connect Seniors to
Caregiving Resources Takes Flight in Perham
Otter Tail County Human Services employees, Perham Health staff, the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging and community members looked at the challenges the community faces with elder care. With a Silos To Circles grant, these stakeholders launched “The Connection”. Blue Cross and Blue Shield is recognizing this collaboration with a Trailblazer Award - bringing leaders together to promote an integrated approach to health care delivery. Cheryl Wiskow and Michelle Fischer, OTC, Long Term Care Social Workers are part of the steering team for the Silos to Circles program in our area. To learn more click here!
U.S. Department of Commerce Coronavirus Response for Small Businesses
The U.S. Department of Commerce has invested $23 million in CARES Act Funding to capitalize Revolving Loan Funds to help small businesses across Minnesota in response to Coronavirus. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $23 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to capitalize and administer Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs) that will provide critical gap financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic across Minnesota. “President Trump is working diligently every day to support our nation’s economy following the impacts of COVID-19 through the CARES Act,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “These investments will provide small businesses across Minnesota with the necessary capital to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic and, in turn, create a stronger and more resilient state economy for the future.” “These investments come at a crucial time to help Minnesota’s and our nation’s economy come roaring back and provide hard-working Americans with new opportunities,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, and EDA is pleased to invest these CARES Act funds so that Minnesota businesses have access to capital to respond to and recover from the coronavirus pandemic.” The EDA investments announced the Northwest Regional Development Commission, Warren, Minnesota, will receive a $3.4 million EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to capitalize and administer an RLF that will provide coronavirus-impacted businesses in Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Polk, and Norman counties with loans to help them respond to the pandemic.