Airport Infrastructure Renewal (AIR) Application

Instructions and Application

Please submit one original and one hard copy of the application to DEED. No emailed or faxed applications will be accepted.

Authorizing Legislation

Minn. Stat. 116J.439

Background/Purpose

The Airport Infrastructure Renewal (AIR) grant program is created to provide grants to counties, airport authorities, or cities to keep or enhance jobs in the area, increase the tax base, or expand or create new economic development.

Types of Funding Available

DEED provides funds as a grant.

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted on an open basis.

Funds Available

Awards are made until funding is unavailable. Please contact DEED for current funding availability.

Maximum Award

A county, airport authority, or city may receive no more than $250,000 in two years for one or more projects.

Match Requirement

Fifty percent of the capital costs of the project from non-state sources.

Selection Criteria

The AIR Grant Program applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Eligibility (No points)
2. Capital Investment and Economic Development (40 points)
   1. Private Capital Investment
   2. Non-State Capital Investment
   3. Increase in Tax Base
   4. Economic Development
3. Full-time Job Creation or Retention (40 points)
   1. New or retained jobs by identified business(es) within 1 year
   2. New or retained jobs by unidentified and identified business(es) within 5 years
4. Readiness (20 Points)
   1. Committed funding
   2. Project Identified in Airport Layout Plan (ALP)
   3. Environmental documentation is complete
5. Priority to eligible applicants not previously receiving funds (30 points)

Please note, an application must receive a minimum of 50 points in order to be eligible for funding.

The most competitive applications are those that can demonstrate within their request the following:

• A strong, well-documented need and an effective solution. This would include documented financial costs, reasonable budgets, secured leverage resources;
• How the proposal addresses the goal of the application;
• Committed business(es) - a letter from business(es) documenting the number of full-time jobs created or being created and their salaries;
• Project Readiness – the project will be able to start soon after AIR grant approval and be completed quickly;
• Capacity - Evidence that the Eligible Applicant is able to perform and complete the tasks stated within the application.

DEED Disbursement Requirements

Grant payments will be processed on a reimbursement basis for completed work. When requesting payments, supporting documentation including invoices and proof of payment for completed work, including eligible match, must be included with each pay request in order for Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to process payment request(s). Payments are made on a pro rata basis (with other sources) and will not be front loaded. Eligible Applicants can only request up to the percentage of funds that matches the percentage of AIR funding in the project. DEED will only reimburse for completed work that has been paid for by the grantee. Grantee staff time and grant administration are not eligible grant costs.

Reporting Requirements

DEED will provide each grantee with the necessary reporting documents. Reports must be provided to DEED upon request.

Application Submittal

Application

Eligible applicants must submit one original and one copy of the application to be considered for funding to the address listed below.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, 1st National Bank Building, 332 Minnesota Street, Suite E200, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1351, Attn: Jeremy LaCroix.

No faxes or emails will be accepted.

Contacts

Jeremy LaCroix
651-259-7457