Environmental Response Fund

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Redevelopment in Ramsey County often means addressing legacy environmental issues or “brownfields." An Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grant program provides resources to offset the cost of environmental assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites.

Who can apply?

Local governmental organizations, developers, for-profit and not‐for‐profit organizations are eligible for ERF grants. ERF grants are not available to non-local government responsible parties.

How to apply

Proposals are typically accepted twice, per year:

March 15 - May 1
September 15 - November 1

Applicants who are requesting funds for building demolition/deconstruction must submit a detailed waste management plan (PDF). Applicants must also provide a letter or resolution of support from the relevant local unit of government.

Before applying, please contact Community & Economic Development to discuss your project and application requirements.

Session 1
- Time: 2-3 p.m.
- Date: Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025.
- Location: Plymouth City, Hall, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., Plymouth, MN 55447.
Session 2
- Time: 9-10 a.m.
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025.
- Location: Inver Grove Heights City Hall, Council Chambers, 8150 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077.

Brownfield funding availability

The timing of the ERF grant round coincides with contamination cleanup grant programs administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Metropolitan Council to maximize collaboration among the three funders. Applicants are encouraged to coordinate their application with the other grant programs. Approximately $500,000 is distributed in every Ramsey County ERF grant round.

2024 Comparison of Local Brownfield Funding Programs

Eligibility requirements

The following questions can help guide prospective applicants as they consider whether or not to apply for the Environmental Response Fund:

Is your project located in Ramsey County?
Does your project have contamination cleanup costs that would make it difficult or impossible to move forward with development without public funding?
Do you have a Response Action Plan approved by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency?
Is your project scheduled to begin cleanup in the next 6-12 months? (Highly recommended not required)
Does your project fulfill one or more of the following program priorities?
- Located in an environmental justice area.
- Provides affordable housing (60% AMI or below).
- Provides jobs.
- Increases property tax base.

Funding priorities

ERF grants are competitive, and traditionally funding is split 50/50 between Suburban Ramsey County and the City of Saint Paul. Priority is given to the following types of projects:

Significant contamination cleanup.
Demonstrated project readiness.
Increase in affordable housing units.
Increase in jobs.
Increase in property taxes.
Located in an environmental justice area (as defined by MPCA).

Environmental Response Fund

Who can apply?

How to apply

Information Sessions

Brownfield funding availability

Eligibility requirements

Funding priorities

Past awards

Related Resources

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Environmental Response Fund

Who can apply?

How to apply

Information Sessions

Brownfield funding availability Brownfield funding availability

Eligibility requirements Eligibility requirements

Funding priorities Funding priorities

Past awards Past awards

Contact Us

Community & Economic Development

Related Resources

Brownfield funding availability

Eligibility requirements

Funding priorities

Past awards