Point Source Implementation Grant Program

The Point Source Implementation Grant program is administered by the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This program is designed to support governmental entities in addressing critical water quality challenges through infrastructure improvements. It is rooted in state statute and aligned with federal Clean Water Act requirements, particularly those concerning total maximum daily load plans and pollutant discharge limits. The program reflects a coordinated effort between state agencies to ensure compliance with environmental standards and to improve water quality outcomes across Minnesota. The primary purpose of the program is to fund wastewater and water treatment infrastructure projects that enable local governments to meet stringent regulatory requirements. These include achieving reductions in pollutant loads such as phosphorus and nitrogen, as well as complying with other water quality based effluent limits established through permits issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The program specifically targets projects that go beyond secondary treatment limits and require advanced treatment solutions to meet environmental standards. Funding is structured as a grant covering up to 80 percent of eligible project costs, with a maximum award amount capped at 12000000 dollars. This cost share structure requires local governments to provide the remaining 20 percent of project funding through other sources. Eligible uses of funds include capital expenditures related to the planning, design, and construction of water infrastructure systems necessary to meet the defined regulatory thresholds. The program does not indicate support for operational expenses or unrelated infrastructure projects, emphasizing its focus on compliance driven capital improvements. Eligibility is limited to governmental units, including cities and other local government entities responsible for water infrastructure systems. Projects must meet specific regulatory drivers, such as compliance with total maximum daily load requirements or achieving defined nutrient concentration thresholds. In addition, all projects must be listed on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Project Priority List, and drinking water projects must also appear on the Minnesota Department of Health priority list. This requirement ensures that funded projects are aligned with statewide environmental priorities and readiness criteria. The application process requires submission of a formal grant application during a defined window. For the fiscal year 2027 funding cycle, applications must be submitted between July 1 2026 and July 31 2026. Applicants must submit completed applications via email to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority. Projects must be expected to begin construction by June 30 2027 to be considered eligible. Applicants who previously applied but did not receive certification must resubmit updated applications within the same application window. Evaluation and award decisions are based on a project’s ranking on the Project Priority List and its readiness to proceed, including certification by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This emphasizes both environmental impact and project readiness as key evaluation criteria. While specific scoring metrics are not detailed, the reliance on established priority lists indicates a structured and competitive selection process. The program operates on an annual cycle tied to the state fiscal year, with recurring opportunities for eligible applicants. Key contacts include representatives from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for eligibility and certification inquiries, as well as Minnesota Public Facilities Authority loan officers for application and funding questions. The timeline includes a fixed application window in July 2026, followed by evaluation and award decisions aligned with fiscal year 2027, and project implementation expected to begin by mid 2027.

Ensure project is certified and ranked on the priority list and demonstrate readiness to begin construction