Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grants are used to fund the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County.
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.
Hennepin County is now accepting applications for the Spring 2022 ERF grant round. Applications are due by May 2, 2022 at 3 p.m.
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 February 2022
In February 2022, Hennepin County awarded 9 ERF grants totaling $2,053,226. 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.
810 Excelsior Child Care, Excelsior
$242,200 for soil cleanup costs associated with the redevelopment of a 6,000-square-foot commercial building into a childcare center for up to 156 children ages 0-4. (Grantee: City of Excelsior on behalf of 45 Degrees North Group, LLC)
CLCLT Homes – Fall 2021, Minneapolis
$270,000 for asbestos and lead-based paint assessment and abatement associated with the rehabilitation of 18 affordable owner-occupied single-family homes.(Grantee: City of Lakes Community Land Trust)
Hennepin Lead-Safe Housing 2021, countywide
$300,000 for continued assistance for a countywide program that performs assessment and abatement of lead-based paint hazards in homes with sensitive populations, such as pregnant women and children six years old or younger. (Grantee: Hennepin County Housing and Economic Development Department)
Kyle Garden Square, Minneapolis
$150,000 for asbestos abatement associated with the construction of 55 units of affordable housing for homeless adults and small households and retention of 9,490 square feet of commercial space. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Alliance Housing, Inc.)
MN Brownfields Gap Financing Program, countywide
$200,000 to continue the Brownfields Gap Financing Program, which provides small environmental assessment grants to government entities and non-profit organizations. (Grantee: Minnesota Brownfields)
Northrup King Residential, Minneapolis
$228,624 for asbestos and lead-paint abatement costs associated with renovation of a vacant building into 8,120 square feet of commercial space and 84 units of affordable housing targeting low-income artists. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Artspace Projects, Inc.)
Rise on 7, St. Louis Park
$251,695 for vapor mitigation–system installation and asbestos abatement associated with the construction of 6,600 square feet of commercial space for childcare and 120 units of affordable housing. (Grantee: City of St. Louis Park EDA on behalf of Common Bond Communities)
St. Olaf – Exodus, Minneapolis
$233,707 for asbestos and lead-paint abatement associated with construction of 66 units of affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Aeon)
Union Park Flats, St. Louis Park
$177,000 for soil cleanup costs, vapor mitigation system installation, and asbestos abatement associated with the construction of 60 units of affordable housing. (Grantee: City of St. Louis Park EDA on behalf of PPL SLP LLC)