Brownfields are abandoned, idled, or underused properties where reuse is complicated by actual or suspected contamination. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has grant money from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) available to pay for assessment of contaminated properties to support redevelopment and reuse. The work is overseen by the MPCA Brownfield Program and performed by MPCA contractors at no cost to the recipients.
Eligibility
Eligible sites in Minnesota can be publicly or privately owned with known or suspected contamination. Applicants cannot be responsible for the contamination. Preferred projects for funding are those that have community support; enhance the neighborhood without resulting in gentrification; provide essential services such as affordable housing, social services, or youth enrichment; or support small business owners. Target applicants are typically those with limited financial resources.
Applicants include, but aren’t limited to:
- community organizations
- nonprofit organizations
- local units of government
- emerging developers (developers who have completed five or fewer projects)
- Tribal Nations
The funding can be used for:
- phase I and phase II environmental site assessments
- sampling and analysis plans/work plans
- preparation of cleanup/response action plans
- community engagement for reuse planning
- MPCA Brownfield Program fees
Ineligible sites and activities. The funding cannot be used for:
- federal or state Superfund sites
- abatement of radon or mold
- single-family home renovations, expansions, or building abatement that does not end in demolition. For information on single-family home testing for lead and asbestos, visit the Minnesota Department of Health website.
- closed permitted landfills
- hazardous materials cleanup and/or abatement
- cleanup actions
Available funds
Typical funding requests range from $10,000-50,000 but any request is considered provided it meets eligibility requirements.
The MPCA has two sources of funding available from the U.S. EPA for environmental assessment of brownfield properties:
- approximately $90,000 per year, made possible by national brownfields legislation enacted in 2002.
- $2 million for 2022 to 2027 from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which funds assessment work in areas of concern for environmental justice. When this grant balance runs low, the MPCA is eligible to apply for an additional grant.
How to apply
Apply via email at brownfieldgrants.mpca@state.mn.us. The MPCA Brownfield Program reviews applications on an ongoing basis.
More information
This funding program is separate from the other services provided by the MPCA Brownfield Program, which are fee-based and include technical reviews of reports and cleanup plans, liability assurance, and environmental closure letters. These services and how to enroll are discussed on the brownfield redevelopment page.