DEED Awards Infrastructure Grants to Three Cities, Including Willmar

St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded more than $5 million in grants to three infrastructure projects in Greater Minnesota.

The funding, from DEED’s Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program (BDPI), is expected to create or retain 1,006 jobs in North Branch, Sartell and Willmar and leverage $221 million in private investment.

DEED awarded the city of Willmar $2 million to assist with street and utilities construction to expand the city’s industrial park and provide access to a new private rail park.

The proposed public infrastructure will benefit current businesses and create 250 acres for future development.

Officials estimate the project will attract $91 million in private investments and create or retain 220 jobs in five years.

The total cost of the public infrastructure project is $4,492,660.