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 fall 2023 ERF grant round. Applications are due by November 1, 2023 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 – $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 approval by the Hennepin County Board.
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 2023
In August 2023, Hennepin County received and reviewed 11 applications. During the application review period, the application for 3561 Minnehaha Apartments project in Minneapolis was withdrawn by the applicant. Hennepin County awarded 10 grants totaling $1,556,121. All 11 applications are described below. The grants will fund asbestos and lead-based paint abatement, vapor mitigation, and contaminated soil assessment and cleanup.
Fare Game Restaurant, Minneapolis
$34,370 for soil vapor testing and vapor mitigation costs associated with the development of a restaurant. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Black Duck Holdings)
1301 West Lake Apartments, Minneapolis
$54,081 for soil cleanup costs associated with the construction of 120 affordable housing units with 24 set aside for formerly homeless households. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of CommonBond Communities)
MPRB - Bethune Park, Minneapolis
$359,402 for soil cleanup costs associated with the redevelopment of the park which will include construction of athletic fields. (Grantee: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board)
3561 Minnehaha Apartments, Minneapolis
$44,700 for assessment costs associated with the redevelopment of 35 units of affordable housing with ground level commercial space. (Grantee: Footprint Development LLC)
Unity Building, Minneapolis
$76,400 for soil cleanup costs associated with the redevelopment of a multi-tenant commercial building. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Grass Roots LLC)
Agate Housing, Minneapolis
$177,900 for soil cleanup costs associated with the redevelopment of a 48 unit affordable and supportive housing project with 24 units set aside for high priority homeless households and 8 set aside for people with disabilities. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Trellis Co.)
Envision Community Penn Avenue, Minneapolis
$86,551 for soil cleanup costs associated with the redevelopment of 20 units of affordable micro-housing for people experiencing homelessness. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Envision Communities, Inc.)
Snelling Yards Family Housing, Minneapolis
$315,000 for soil cleanup and vapor mitigation costs associated with the redevelopment of 90 units of affordable housing with a portion of units targeted to homeless veterans. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Snelling Yards Family Housing)
RS EDEN House, Minneapolis
$76,467 for vapor mitigation installation costs at the RS EDEN House which provides supportive housing for people who live well below the poverty line. (Grantee: RS EDEN)
Stinson Apartments, Minneapolis
$93,950 for soil cleanup costs associated with redevelopment of 24 mixed, market-rate and affordable apartment units. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of 1714 E Hennepin LLC)
Wooddale Station, St. Louis Park
$282,000 for soil cleanup and vapor mitigation costs associated with the redevelopment of a 315 unit multifamily, mixed affordable and market-rate housing building with ground level commercial space. (Grantee: City of St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority on behalf of Wooddale Station, LLC)