Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grants are used to fund the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County.
Applications for the Fall 2021 grant round are now closed.
Find information below about ERF grant requirements, how to apply, grant management, funded projects and contacts.
Requirements
ERF grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Priority is given to the following:
- Significantly contaminated sites
- Demonstrated project readiness
- Municipal and other public development projects
- Affordable housing projects where contamination issues preclude redevelopment
- Projects that promote economic development
- Infill brownfield properties or orphan sites that contribute to blight
- Other criteria include projects that incorporate sustainable features and activities in the project design, construction, and operation
Eligible applicants for ERF include municipalities, economic development agencies, housing and redevelopment authorities, other local public entities, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit businesses. ERF grants are not available to non-local government responsible parties.
ERF grants are available for the investigation and cleanup of non-petroleum contamination or petroleum-related contamination.
In addition to county funding, other sources of funding for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County may also be available. More information can be found in Minnesota Brownfields: A Resource Guide (PDF).
Applying for an ERF grant
Prior to applying for an ERF grant, contact brownfields@hennepin.us to discuss your project and funding needs.
To access the Request For Proposal (RFP) and apply:
- Visit the Supplier Portal.
- You can view the separate RFPs and materials by clicking the Environmental Response Fund RFP in the Events panel on the right half of the screen.
- To apply, follow the on-screen instructions.
You will need to be registered to submit an application. For detailed instructions on how to register and submit an application, including video tutorials and more, visit the Supplier Portal information page.
Funding available
Approximately $1.0 – $1.2 million is distributed every grant round. Awards vary depending on the project, the amount of available grant funding and the list of applications received. No funding match is required. Grantees can start incurring costs the day after County Board approval.
ERF grant recipients
Each grantee will be assigned a grant manager. Please contact your grant manager to discuss reimbursement requests associated with your grant. The following forms need to be submitted as part of your reimbursement request:
1. Download and complete a disbursement form to request grant funds.
2. Download and complete an annual progress report (DOCX).
3. City of Minneapolis sub-recipient grantees additional form – download and complete quarterly progress reports (XLSX).
To submit disbursements:
- Provide an electronic copy of the draft disbursement request and all back up information to the assigned grant manager to whom you currently submit requests. The grant manager will review the request and submit it for payment.
- Provide an electronic copy of the final signed disbursement request form, including all required backup documentation to your grant manager.
Grants awarded August 2021
In August 2021, Hennepin County awarded 10 ERF grants totaling $1,549,268. The grants will fund asbestos and lead-based paint abatement, vapor mitigation, and contaminated soil assessment and cleanup. The funding supports projects that create economic development by increasing the tax base, creating permanent jobs, and creating market-rate and affordable housing. The timing of the ERF grant round coincides with contamination cleanup grant programs administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Metropolitan Council to maximize collaboration among the three funders.
550 West Lake Street (Phase 3), Minneapolis
$100,000 for soil cleanup costs associated with the construction of 72 units of affordable housing (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Lupe Development Partners)
2025 West River Road, Minneapolis
$216,441 for soil cleanup costs and asbestos abatement associated with the construction of 163 units of affordable housing and 2,000 square feet of commercial space. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of SRPB Strategic Housing, LLC)
2301 California Street NE, Minneapolis
$193,574 for soil cleanup costs, asbestos abatement, and installation of a vapor mitigation system associated with the construction of 160 units of affordable housing and 23,000-square-feet of commercial space (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of LSBD Minneapolis California, LLC)
Agra, Minneapolis
$116,710 for soil cleanup costs and asbestos abatement associated with the construction of 172 units of affordable housing. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Newport Midwest, LLC)
Juxtaposition Arts Campus Redevelopment, Minneapolis
$83,907 for soil cleanup costs and installation of a vapor mitigation system associated with the construction of a new 16,000-square-foot art center (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Juxtaposition Arts, Inc.)
Malcolm Yards Affordable Housing, Minneapolis
$201,500 for soil cleanup costs associated with the construction of 142 units of affordable housing (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Malcolm Yards Affordable Housing LLC)
Nordeast Business Center, Minneapolis
$90,285 for soil cleanup costs associated with the construction of a 131,000-square-foot industrial warehouse (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of 37th Business Park LLC)
Northeast Athletic Field, Minneapolis
$83,907 for soil cleanup costs and installation of a vapor mitigation system associated with the construction of a new 16,000-square-foot art center (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Juxtaposition Arts, Inc.)
Shelby Commons, Minneapolis
$122,652 for soil cleanup costs associated with the construction of 46 units of affordable housing (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Shelby Commons Limited Partnership)