Cities of Saint Peter and Comfrey will each receive grants for infrastructure planning
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) today announced a $57,000 grant to the City of Saint Peter and a $10,000 grant to the Region Nine Development Commission and the City of Comfrey to better understand how to prepare their communities for extreme weather caused by climate change.
Saint Peter will use its grant to study the flow of water, sediment, and nutrients during increasingly heavy rain events and to find new ways to protect drinking water during large storms. The study will focus on preventing runoff after storms in the 4,500-acre Drinking Water Supply Management Area (DWSMA) west of Saint Peter serving the city and its 12,848 residents and businesses.
“We are excited to partner with Saint Peter, Comfrey, Region Nine Development Commission to protect this region’s thriving economy, environment, and way of life,” said MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler. “Communities cannot prepare for extreme weather events and climate change by themselves. Strong partnerships between government, businesses, and residents are required to protect our communities.”
Comfrey, in partnership with the Region Nine Development Commission, will use its grant to develop a resilience plan that will evaluate energy costs, food access, flooding, and environmental disaster preparedness in the face of a changing climate. The goal of the plan is to protect local infrastructure from extreme weather, prepare the community to apply for future funding opportunities, and ensure Comfrey is a safe and healthy community for everyone who lives there.
“These investments will empower Region Nine communities to adapt, thrive, and lead by example through strategically allocating resources, innovative technologies, and community-driven initiatives,” said Nicole Griensewic, Executive Director of the Region Nine Development Commission. "They are a testament to our dedication to nurturing economic vitality and passing on resilient communities to future generations."
Communities across Minnesota are also recognizing the need to prepare for climate change. According to a recent MPCA survey, 87 percent of local governments reported experiencing the impact of at least one recent weather trend caused by climate change. Forty-two percent of Minnesota communities reported the need for additional funding for planning and infrastructure upgrades to address these impacts.
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