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 2024 ERF grant round. Applications are due by May 1, 2024 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 February 2024
In February 2024, Hennepin County received and reviewed 14 applications. Hennepin County awarded 12 grants totaling $1,842,279. All 14 applications are described below. The grants will fund asbestos and lead-based paint abatement, vapor mitigation, and contaminated soil assessment and cleanup.
3561 Minnehaha, Minneapolis
$25,000 for asbestos abatement costs associated with the construction of a mixed-use building comprised of 32 housing units at mixed rental rates, including affordable units, and approximately 1,550 square feet of commercial space. (Applicant: 3561 Minnehaha LLC)
Aster Commons, Richfield
$21,641 for assessment costs associated with the redevelopment of a vacant site into 38 deeply affordable housing units targeting young adults with neurodiverse conditions with select units set aside for High Priority Homeless and Persons with Disabilities. (Applicant: Aster Commons-GP LLC)
Avenues for Youth, Minneapolis
$303,550 for soil cleanup costs associated with the construction of temporary and emergency housing for young adults facing homelessness or needing supportive services. (Applicant: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Avenues for Youth)
Bloomington 78th Street Project, Bloomington
$119,000 for soil cleanup costs associated with the development of a five-story apartment complex with 79 affordable and 122 market-rate housing units and onsite daycare center. (Applicant: City of Bloomington on behalf of Enclave Development, LLC)
CLCLT Homes – Fall 2023 – Minneapolis
$220,000 for lead and asbestos abatement costs associated with the rehabilitation of one duplex and nine affordable owner-occupied single-family homes. (Applicant: City of Lakes Community Land Trust)
Ebenezer Redevelopment, Minneapolis
$50,000 for assessment costs associated with renovating 110 small senior long-term care facility rooms into 54 new larger affordable residential units. (Applicant: 2545 Portland GP LLC)
Mikwanedun Audisookon Center for Art and Wellness, Minneapolis
$202,790 for soil cleanup costs associated with construction of a community center building to support youth programs, education, and work force development for the Native American community. (Applicant: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Indigenous People’s Task Force)
O’Shaughnessy Distillery Expansion Project, Minneapolis
$0 for soil cleanup costs associated with the expansion of the distillery through the construction of a 24,242 square-foot warehouse building and office. (Applicant: City of Minneapolis on behalf of O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company)
Park Plaza, Minneapolis
$191,513 for asbestos and lead abatement costs associated with the rehabilitation of five six-story buildings with approximately 134 affordable housing units. (Applicant: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Trellis)
Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis
$102,959 for soil cleanup costs associated with the playground and landscape renovation at Powderhorn Park. (Applicant: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board)
Prudential Campus Redevelopment, Plymouth
$193,000 for asbestos abatement costs associated with demolishing the existing building and constructing over 1,000 units of multifamily housing at mixed rental rates, including 10% affordable, 500,000 square feet of commercial space, and a public park. (Applicant: City of Plymouth on behalf of Scannell Properties and Roers Companies - (SPRC Land Ventures Plymouth, LLC))
Snelling Yards Family Housing, Minneapolis
$189,913 for soil cleanup and vapor mitigation costs associated with the redevelopment of 90 affordable housing units with a portion targeted to veterans experiencing homelessness. (Applicant: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Snelling Yards Family Housing)
Sochacki Park Classroom Development, Robbinsdale
$222,913 for soil cleanup associated with the development of a one-story public park classroom building and associated park facilities. (Applicant: Three Rivers Park District)
Stinson Apartments, Minneapolis
$0 for soil cleanup and vapor mitigation costs associated with the construction of a 24-unit apartment with mixed market-rate and affordable housing rental rates. (Applicant: City of Minneapolis on behalf of 1714 E Hennepin LLC)