Notice of Grant Contract Availability
The Minnesota Department of Commerce seeks proposals from local units of government in counties across the southeastern region of the state (see map) who are not served by a Regional Development Commission, along with local units of government in Benton and Sherburne counties, and that did not receive direct funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants.
Counties encouraged to apply include Benton, Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmstead, Rice, Sherburne, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona counties.
Cities, counties, and school districts with populations under 15,000 are eligible.
Grants may provide financial and technical assistance to cities and counties for long-term planning centered on energy efficiency practices, the incorporation of renewable energy technology, and other energy resilience measures. Grants may also provide funding for preliminary services that support long-term energy planning and resilience actions.
Goals of the project are:
- Actionable plans to reduce energy use in public buildings.
- Studies, assessments, or audits empowering local units of government to accomplish future actions toward strategies identified.
- Results serving as bases for decision makers, constituents, and public to make progress on savings and efficiency that benefits residents.
- Improvement in energy independence and security for regional stakeholders.
A Request for Proposal and required forms are available for download on Commerce’s RFP website.
Proposals are due by December 8, 2025, at 5 p.m.
If funds are not fully expended in the first round, Commerce will have multiple rounds of applications until funding is fully expended.
