MDA Accepting 2015 Value Added Grant Applications

 ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has another round of funding available for projects to help farmers, producers and processors add value to their operations. A total of $1 million in funding has been made available through the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation Program (AGRI), established by the legislature to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy industries.

The MDA will distribute the funds through its AGRI Value Added Grant Program which aims to increase sales of Minnesota agricultural products by diversifying markets and by increasing market access and food safety. Specifically, these grants are intended to:

·     start, expand or update livestock product processing businesses;

·     purchase equipment to start, upgrade, or modernize value added businesses;

·     increase on-farm food safety, such as implementation of a food safety plan

·     increase farmers’ processing and aggregating capacity to sell to schools, hospitals or others

Applications with a meat processing, farm-to-school (or other institution) component, or are addressing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) or similar type of food safety plan will receive priority, but all value added proposals are encouraged to apply.

Equipment purchases or physical improvements are eligible for 25 percent of the total project cost up to a maximum grant award of $150,000. There is a minimum grant of $1,000. Equipment purchases and facility improvements must accomplish the goals of the grant and address improved efficiency, expansion, modernization, or profitability.

This round of applications must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 6, 2015. Grant applications are submitted through our online system. The application is accessed through a link on the MDA Value Added website: www.mda.state.mn.us/valueadded.aspx. If you cannot apply using this process, you may submit an application by e-mail, mail, or by dropping it off at the MDA. An application must be received by MDA staff by the deadline to be included in this round of applications.

MnDOT seeks project recommendations for Corridors of Commerce program

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is seeking recommendations for road and bridge projects that will be funded by Corridors of Commerce funding, according to MnDOT officials.

Corridors of Commerce funds projects support economic growth through targeted regional investments that help improve the movement of freight and reduce barriers to commerce. The 2014 legislation makes available up to $25 million in 2015. The primary intent of this funding is to prepare eligible projects for future years should additional funding be made available.

“Transportation investment is key to our state’s economy,” said MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle. “The work we do with this funding spurs economic growth in the near term through construction jobs and, in the long run, creates a commerce-friendly network of corridors that we can rely on every day to move goods and people efficiently across our state.”

The 2015 funding can be used for right of way acquisition, environmental study work and preliminary engineering, as well as other project costs. MnDOT will collect project recommendations during the next two weeks and will announce the selected projects in October.

Since 2013, the Legislature has provided $331.5 million in Corridors of Commerce funding for projects statewide. The first program projects started this year and include:

·Lane addition on Interstate 94 from Highway 101 to Highway 241 near St. Michael

·Expansion of Highway 14 to four lanes from Highway 218 to County Road 43 near Owatonna

·Passing lane additions on various sections of Highway 2 and Highway 34 in northwestern Minnesota

“We are working hard to make our transportation system more effective and efficient,” Zelle said. “A good transportation network serves the economy well and improves the quality of life for all of us.”

To recommend a Corridors of Commerce project or to learn more about the program, visit www.mndot.gov/corridorsofcommerce.

Statewide workshops planned for meeting transit needs of disabled and senior populations

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Workshops providing application information for non-profits and public entities interested in available federal funding for lift-equipped vehicles and community mobility management projects, are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

·         Mankato, MNDOT office, May 20, 1 to 4 p.m.

·         Baxter, MNDOT office May 22, 1 to 4 p.m.

·         St. Paul, Hiway Federal Credit Union, June 2, 1- 4 p.m.

The federal program is designed to encourage applicants to develop innovative transportation solutions to meet the needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities in their community. Some examples of eligible activities are mobility management, ride coordination, vehicle sharing and marketing and education. Eligible applicants must be one of the following:                                                                                     

·         A private non-profit corporation or association  

·         A public body, e.g. a municipal hospital, approved by MNDOT to coordinate transit services

·         A public body (city or county), which certifies to MNDOT that a non-profit corporation or association is not available in area to provide transit service

The workshops explain the processes where the federal program provides 80 percent of the funding to purchase the lift-equipped vehicles while the remaining 20 percent is provided from local sources. Federal funding will provide:

·         Vehicles for seniors and individuals with disabilities

·         Mobility management and travel training

The potential applicants for this program must:

·         Provide new transportation options for seniors and individuals with disabilities in their community

·         Develop strong partnerships with other transportation providers and demonstrate financial responsibility

·         Have the capacity to properly execute the program, including ongoing operating funds

·         Projects must be aligned with state coordination plans