The Minnesota Commerce Department’s State Competitiveness Fund is accepting applications from organizations in Minnesota pursuing federal clean energy grants that require matching funds. Proposals are due by September 6, 2024. Commerce’s Division of Energy Resources also provides technical assistance to support applicants pursuing federal clean energy grants. 

“We are excited to offer Minnesota organizations another opportunity to help bring federal clean energy funds to our state,” said Assistant Commissioner Pete Wyckoff, who leads Commerce’s Division of Energy Resources state and federal initiatives. “The State Competitiveness Fund supports Minnesotans who are innovative, bold and successful competitors to bring more federal investments to our state.” 

The State Competitiveness Fund was established by law in 2023 with $190 million to boost opportunities for organizations across the state to apply for federal energy funds through the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).This historic investment of state and federal funds supports Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework and the state’s goals for Minnesotans to be prepared for and work to reduce the impacts of our changing climate.  

• Organizations eligible to apply for SCF Match Program include local governments, nonprofits, Tribal Nations, higher education, utility companies, and certain other businesses. In March 2024, Commerce announced local capacity grant awards to 25 community organizations and Tribes.  
• The first rounds of the SCF Match Program selectees are listed in the SCF 2023 Annual Report. Over $46 million in funds were reserved for 60 applicants, ranging from $50,000 to $2.2 million, with an average award of $772,000. 

Additional Resources: 

• Minnesota Department of Commerce Request for Proposals: Search for State Competitiveness Fund Match Program 2024
• State Competitiveness Fund  
• Commerce’s Energy Resources Division

Connect with the Minnesota Commerce Department  
Get updates and news from the Minnesota Department of Commerce by following Commerce at mn.gov/commerce or @MNCommerce on social media.

MEDIA CONTACT:   

Mo Schriner
Director of Communications
Mo.Schriner@state.mn.us