St. Paul, MN –The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) today announced $197.6 million in loans and grants for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects in 15 cities throughout the state.

The MPFA helps cities replace aging infrastructure and make system improvements to protect public health and improve water quality. Since its inception in 1987, the MPFA has provided nearly $7.6 billion for public infrastructure programs statewide, impacting almost every community in Minnesota.

The MPFA provides funding to local governments to build infrastructure for clean water, drinking water and transportation infrastructure projects. Funding for these projects primarily comes from the MPFA's Clean Water Revolving Fund (CWRF) and the Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF). Projects can also receive funding from MPFA's Point Source Implementation Grant program, Water Infrastructure Fund and Small Community Wastewater Treatment Program.

"Funding from the MPFA is crucial for towns across Minnesota to invest in public infrastructure that protects public health and the environment," said Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek. "Keeping our water clean, drinkable and accessible is a catalyst to economic growth. By investing in the health and well-being of Minnesotans, we are investing in our economy for years to come and helping our state's communities flourish."

Projects and MPFA funding amounts listed below. Funding details for each project are available on the MPFA website.

Alexandria Lake Area Sanitary District, $51,000,000

The project will install a new equalization basin and membrane bioreactors, replace the preliminary treatment and the disinfection system and upgrade the solids treatment process.

Dumont, $1,040,000

The project will add improvements to the aging sanitary sewer system infrastructure.

Floodwood, $1,500,000

The project will install new watermains.

Hibbing Public Utilities Commission, $6,500,000

The project will replace an aging watermain.

International Falls, $13,876,914

The project will rehabilitate a water treatment plant.

Le Sueur, $6,394,877

The project will update transition and distribution systems to address aging and undersized infrastructure on Cathcart Street from Commerce Street to North Fourth Street and on North Fourth Street from Bridge Street to Dakota Street.

Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water System, $2,500,000

The project will design and construct contact basin, water storage and water treatment facility improvements in Fortier Township.

Medford, $4,500,000

The project will connect the city of Medford's sanitary sewer collection system to the city of Owatonna's treatment system. Medford's water treatment plant will be demolished after the project's completion.

Metropolitan Council, $44,000,000

Cash flow financing for Metropolitan Council wastewater capital improvement projects.

Minneapolis, $4,500,000

Predesign and design for drinking water distribution.

Mound, $10,300,000

Predesign, design and construction of drinking water infrastructure.

Park Rapids, $151,514

The project will replace existing lead service lines with copper lines.

Red Rock Rural Water System, $1,252,000

The project will install ground storage reservoirs for Jeffers and Cottonwood counties.

Sandstone, $472,545

The project will add a new chemical system to the existing wastewater pond treatment center.

Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (Duluth), $49,641,431

The funding will support four projects: completion of a bypassing flow from the Knowlton Creek force main; a Lakeside neighborhood concrete interceptor pipe rehabilitation; removal and replacement of four 160-foot final clarifiers at the wastewater treatment plant; and completion of the Carlton Pump Station change order.