News

See the video: GreenStep Cities - Decade of Growth. 

Read city stories in the Community Highlight series. 

See the Reflections on 10-Years Video.

Download and share the 1-page infographic 10 Years of GreenStep Impacts & Accomplishments.

See short TV/print coverage of two GreenStep gatherings:

• Rochester: https://www.kimt.com/content/news/Minnesota-GreenStep-Cities-program-celebrates-10-years-566825221.html
• Duluth: https://www.fox21online.com/2020/01/08/mpca-celebrates-ten-years-of-greenstep-cities-program/
• Duluth: https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/government-and-politics/4854307-Duluth-shares-its-sustainability-story-through-GreenStep-Cities-program

Workshops will be online-only this season and are scheduled from 9:00-11:00 am. See the series at Eventbrite. 

August 26 - Planning for sustainability and resiliency in SE Minnesota communities
September 16 - Safe Routes to School in the time of COVID-19
October 21 - Creating cultural and sustainable shifts in sustainability - RSVP 
November 4 (9:00am- 1:00pm) - Smart Salting Property Management Certification training - RSVP 
November 18 - Strategies and approaches to reduce energy burden - RSVP 
December 16 - Construction, demolition and building material reuse - RSVP 
February 17 - Understanding and maintaining soil health - RSVP 
March - Stayed tuned! We will hold "office hours" for GSC action and metric reporting (reports are due by April 1, 2021)
April 21 - Urban trees for a changing climate - RSVP 
May 19 - Supporting Minnesota's pollinators - RSVP

See the workshop archives for past workshop recordings and materials. 

Workforce Housing Development Grant Program

Minnesota Housing is now accepting applications for this competitive funding program, which targets small to mid-size cities in Greater Minnesota with rental workforce housing needs. Anticipated funding of approximately $1.5 million will be available to build market-rate residential rental properties in communities with proven job growth and demand for workforce rental housing. Communities are required to secure matching funds that match one dollar for every two dollars in funding offered through the program. The deadline to apply is 12 p.m. on Dec. 17.

Learn more and apply

Learn about new resources that explore workforce development, health care, mental health, and navigating uncertainty.

FREE

November 9, 10:00-11:15 am. 

Learn more and register. 

Immerse yourself in innovative, practical, and applied water resource engineering solutions, management techniques, and current research about Minnesota’s water resources. The Minnesota Water Resources Conference is an opportunity to address:

• lessons learned from the implementation of engineering projects.
• best practices discovered in the design and application of water resource management techniques.
• implications of water policy decisions.
• research into current and emerging issues.

Fees: $85, before 9/25 | $115, starting 9/25

Learn more and register: https://conference.umn.edu/minnesota-water-resources-conference 

Demonstration Project Technical Assistance solicitation

Safe Routes to School Demonstration Project Technical Assistance will support communities with existing Safe Routes to School plans, or other comprehensive SRTS approaches, in undertaking the process to plan, design and implement a SRTS demonstration project in their community. Selected communities will participate in a professional facilitated workshop to explore safety issues and collaboratively develop solutions at a location identified in their SRTS plan or other planning document. Communities will partner with the local road authority to develop an MN MUTCD-compliant demonstration project concept. This technical assistance includes all the drawings, specifications and permits required to implement the demonstration project. Installation materials will be provided to implement a demonstration project at the identified location in spring or fall 2021. Community members are encouraged to participate in project installation and evaluation.

Selected communities are intended to begin work in February 2021, completing work by June 2021 or starting in August and completing work in November 2021.

Demonstration Project website

Application - The SRTS Demonstration Project Technical Assistance application needs to be submitted by 5 p.m. on Oct. 2, 2020.

Learn more and register: https://go-ticco.co/events/ce-retreat 

Apply for a grant to install direct current fast chargers for electric vehicles in designated corridors along highways and interstates in Greater Minnesota.

See the request for proposals (RFP) for full details on eligibility: who may apply, grant match amounts, and other information that will help applicants submit a proposal.

• Application deadline: November 25, 2020
• Total funding: Approximately $2.66 million
• Maximum amount available for each 50kW fast charger: 80% of project costs, up to $70,000 (20% cash match required)

Application materials

Phase 2 Electric vehicle fast charging corridor grants (FY21)

The RFP assists applicants in applying for and managing state grants. This document describes the Electric Vehicle (EV) Fast Charging Corridor grant round, and provides information that will help applicants plan their EV corridor project and submit a competitive proposal. Proposals are due no later than 4:30 p.m. Central Time on November 25, 2020.

https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/ev-fast-charging-station-grants?utm_campaign=vw&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=facebook 

Free this year! Learn about land and water resources.

More information and register: http://bwsr.state.mn.us/2020-bwsr-academy 

Sign up for: 

• Property Management Certification 
• Level 1 (individual) training
• Level 2 (organization) training

https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/smart-salting-training