When the City of Ironton needed assistance applying for funding to extend the Cuyuna Trail System, a pedestrian crossing, downtown street lighting enhancement, and boulevard landscape enhancement, the city turned to the IRRRB’s Application Fund program for help.

The Application Fund program reimburses cities, townships, non-profits educational institutions, and collaborative organizations for the costs of grant writing for projects within the IRRRB service area.

For communities and organizations that don’t have the financial resources to pay for grant writing, the program is critical, said Amy Baratto, City of Ironton clerk.

“It’s been a huge benefit to us,” said Baratto. “We’re a small city and it allows us to be able fund grant writing without having to increase our levy and apply for grants that we would not otherwise be able to apply for.”

For IRRRB fiscal year 2017, the program is funded at $50,000.

Eligible applicants can receive grants from $150 to $5,000 to help prepare and apply for grants from state, federal, and private sources other than IRRRB.

The program provides a 1:1 match.

Applications are evaluated and scored on an individual basis. 

Applications to the program for IRRRB fiscal year 2017 are being accepted Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, 2016 and March 1 through March 31, 2017.

Application must be made through the IRRRB online FLUUX grants management portal.

Baratto says the program has helped Ironton apply for grants to fund a variety of projects including public works, infrastructure and tourism. 

“It’s been a huge asset to us,” said Baratto.  

Contact IRRRB Application Fund Program Administrator Whitney Ridlon at whitney.ridlon@state.mn.us or (218)735-3004 with questions.