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Hennepin county

Grants and funding opportunities

Brownfield cleanup funding

The county supports the redevelopment of contaminated properties known as “brownfields.” Whether your development project is starting the investigation phase or needs assistance with managing known contamination, Hennepin County offers a variety of funding sources.

Eligible recipients include for-profit businesses, developers, governmental organizations, and nonprofit organizations.

ERF fact sheet (PDF, 2MB)

Assessment funding

The following programs are available to assist with site investigation work.

Assistance to municipalities and nonprofit organizations

Hennepin County can complete environmental assessment work on behalf of nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and other local units of government.

Depending on your project, Hennepin County may also fund activities such as asbestos and lead-based paint abatement and other costs to prepare for clean up. Requests for funds are considered on a rolling basis. Total amounts vary by project. Contact brownfields@hennepin.us.

Brownfield Gap Financing Program

Hennepin County also partners with Minnesota Brownfields, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to provide nonprofit organizations and local units of government with gap funding for assessment work. Projects may apply for a maximum of $25,000 total in a 12-month span. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. These funds are available through the Brownfield Gap Financing Program.

More information and application can be found online: Minnesota Brownfields Gap Financing Program.

If your assessment project is more than $25,000, call Hennepin County to learn about other options.

Assistance to for-profit businesses

Environmental Response Fund provides assessment funding to for-profit businesses. No other assessment funding to for-profit businesses is available at this time. Check back for updates.

Other Brownfield resources

In addition to county funding, state and federal sources of funding for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County may also be available. More information can be found at MPCA: Brownfields in Your Community.

Environmental Response Fund grant program

Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grants are used to fund the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County.

Find information below about ERF grant requirements, how to apply, grant management, funded projects and contacts.

Requirements

ERF grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Priority is given to the following:

  • Significantly contaminated sites
  • Demonstrated project readiness
  • Municipal and other public development projects
  • Affordable housing projects where contamination issues preclude redevelopment
  • Projects that promote economic development
  • Infill brownfield properties or orphan sites that contribute to blight
  • Other criteria include projects that incorporate sustainable features and activities in the project design, construction, and operation

Eligible applicants for ERF include municipalities, economic development agencies, housing and redevelopment authorities, other local public entities, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit businesses. ERF grants are not available to non-local government responsible parties.

ERF grants are available for the investigation and cleanup of non-petroleum contamination or petroleum-related contamination.

In addition to county funding, other sources of funding for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County may also be available. More information can be found at MPCA: Brownfields in Your Community.

Applying for an ERF grant

Prior to applying for an ERF grant, contact brownfields@hennepin.us to discuss your project and funding needs.

ERF applications are open now for the spring 2026 grant round. Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026.

To access the Request For Proposal (RFP) and apply:

You will need to be registered to submit an application. For detailed instructions on how to register and submit an application, including video tutorials and more, visit the Supplier Portal information page.

Funding available

Approximately $1 – $1.2 million is distributed every grant round. Awards vary depending on the project, the amount of available grant funding and the list of applications received. No funding match is required. Grantees can start incurring costs the day after approval by the Hennepin County Board.

ERF grant recipients

Each grantee will be assigned a grant manager. Please contact your grant manager to discuss reimbursement requests associated with your grant. The following forms need to be submitted as part of your reimbursement request:

1. Download and complete a disbursement form to request grant funds.

2. Download and complete an annual progress report (DOCX, 1MB).

3. City of Minneapolis sub-recipient grantees additional form – download and complete quarterly progress reports (XLSX, 1MB).

To submit disbursements:

  • Provide an electronic copy of the draft disbursement request and all back up information to the assigned grant manager to whom you currently submit requests. The grant manager will review the request and submit it for payment.
  • Provide an electronic copy of the final signed disbursement request form, including all required backup documentation to your grant manager.

Grants awarded February 2026

In February 2026, Hennepin County awarded nine grants totaling $2.25 million. The grants will fund soil cleanup, vapor mitigation and sampling, abatement activities, and assessment. The recommended grants will also provide for the renovation or construction of 180 affordable housing units.

Beltline Boulevard Station Apartments, St. Louis Park

$153,525 requested for installation of a soil vapor mitigation system into a new mixed-used commercial and residential building with affordable and market-rate units. (Grantee: St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority on behalf of Sherman Associates)

Central Park Improvements & Pavilion Expansion, Hopkins

$800,000 for soil cleanup associated with completion of park and stormwater management improvements. (Grantee: City of Hopkins)

CLCLT Homes – Fall 2025

$140,000 for asbestos and lead-based paint abatement associated with the rehabilitation of six affordable, owner-occupied, single-family homes. (Grantee: City of Lakes Community Land Trust)

Henn 25 Shops, Minneapolis

$27,400 for installation of a soil-vapor mitigation system into the existing buildings. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Michael Tadros)

Landmark Wayzata, Wayzata

$200,000 for soil cleanup, management of contaminated groundwater during dewatering, and installation of a soil-vapor mitigation system in new residential condominiums with street level shops. (Grantee: 200 Lake Street LLC)

Lundstrum Performing Arts, Minneapolis

$185,514 for additional soil sampling, soil cleanup, and installation of a soil-vapor mitigation system associated with expansion of the existing performing arts facility. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Lundstrum Performing Arts)

Minnetonka Boulevard Twin Homes, St. Louis Park

$440,000 for soil cleanup associated with the development of four new duplexes for first-time homeowners. (Grantee: St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority on behalf of Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation)

Native American Community Clinic, Minneapolis

$106,448 for soil cleanup associated with development of a new community clinic and affordable housing building. (Grantee: City Minneapolis on behalf of Native American Community Clinic & Wellington Management, Inc.)

Willis Trucking Redevelopment, Rogers

$200,000 for soil cleanup associated with the development of a new residential building. (Grantee: Bader Development, LLC)

Grants awarded August 2025

In August 2025, Hennepin County awarded seven grants totaling $1,866,428. The grants will fund soil cleanup, vapor mitigation, and assessment. The awards will also assist developments that increase the tax base, create or retain permanent jobs, and will provide for the renovation or construction of 277 affordable housing units.

Clare Apartments, Minneapolis

$68,120 for additional assessment and installation of a soil vapor mitigation system in an existing affordable housing building. (Grantee: Clare Housing) 

Little Earth Housing, Minneapolis

$135,058 for soil vapor mitigation system associated with the renovation of existing affordable housing. (Grantee: Little Earth of United Tribes Housing Corporation)

Minnesota Brownfields Brownfield Gap Financing Program

$400,000 to continue the Brownfields Gap Financing Program, which provides small environmental grants to government entities, non-profit organizations, and emerging developers. (Grantee: Minnesota Brownfields)

Northeast Green Campus Expansion, Minneapolis

$500,000 for disposal of contaminated soils and installation of active vapor mitigation system in a new affordable housing building. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Mississippi Watershed Management Organization)

Rogers Civic Campus Gateway Development, Rogers

$150,000 for soil cleanup associated with the development of a new city hall, police department and public plaza. (Grantee: City of Rogers)

Sochacki Park Water Quality Improvements, Robbinsdale

$477,000 for soil cleanup associated with the development of stormwater management ponds and landscaping improvements at an existing park. (Grantee: Three Rivers Park District)

Tibyan Community Center, Minneapolis

$136,250 requested for the installation of an active vapor mitigation system and sump reroute associated with the redevelopment of the building for use as a community center. (Grantee: City of St. Anthony Village on behalf of Tibyan Community Center)

Brownfields cleanup revolving loan

Hennepin County administers the Brownfields cleanup revolving loan program with funds made available through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The goal of this program is to stimulate reuse and redevelopment of contaminated sites.

Requirements

Low-interest loans are available for environmental cleanup of hazardous waste, hazardous waste co-mingled with petroleum and petroleum-only impacts.

Eligible applicants include municipalities, economic development agencies, housing and redevelopment authorities, other local public entities, nonprofit organizations, public companies, private for-profit companies, and other interested parties. Loans are not available to responsible parties.

Applying for a revolving loan

Approximately $1.4 million is available. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the year.

Contact

Land and Water Unit
mary.finch@hennepin.us
Phone: 612-596-1595