Applications open for Site Assessment Grants
Ramsey County is offering financial assistance to nonprofits, government supported organizations and emerging developers* to help offset the cost of environmental assessment for local affordable housing, commercial and mixed-use development projects, including youth, family, homeless supportive and community services.
Site Assessment Grants (SAG) support projects in the early stages of development where site assessment and investigation are needed. The goal is to promote sustainable development and ensure projects get underway in an environmentally responsible manner. SAG will help developers or organizations better understand the property conditions, current and historical uses and potential threats to resident health or the surrounding environment, before making a plan to cleanup and remediate the site. Eligible projects may receive up to $25,000 total in a 12-month span.
Apply on the Minnesota Brownfields webpage
*An Emerging Developer is defined as any individual or entity that has owned and/or developed no more than five housing or commercial properties, including mixed-use, in the state of Minnesota in the last 10 years as a sole proprietor or under other business entities.
Helpful information to know
The importance of an environmental assessment
In many cases, site assessment and/or investigation is needed to determine whether a property is ready for reuse or redevelopment, which could significantly impact the cleanup process and overall timing of completing the project. A licensed geologist, engineer or site professional will review records and physically inspect the site to determine the nature and extent of possible contamination. This includes the presence of any substance that is present on or below the surface, which may become harmful at some point, including substances that are corrosive, explosive, flammable, radioactive or toxic to people or the dwelling.
What occurs after the environmental assessment?
If evidence of known or potential contamination is found at the property, further investigation is needed to determine whether the contamination found at the property exceeds risk thresholds for the proposed reuse. The next step would be creating a plan for cleanup or remediation of the property. These activities are supported by Ramsey County's Environmental Response Fund (ERF). If little to no evidence of contamination is found at the property, the next step is to proceed with reuse or redevelopment of the property.
The difference between SAG and ERF
There are several aspects of each program that are different. View the SAG vs ERF comparison table for a better understanding.