Community Energy Transition Grant Program

Funder: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

The Community Energy Transition Grant Program, managed by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, offers approximately $10 million for energy transition projects to support communities affected by local electric plant closures. Grants can reach up to $1 million per calendar year, with no matching funds required. This initiative aims to assist communities in addressing economic and social impacts while promoting local investments in energy transition projects.

Note: All applicants must complete the Pre-Award Risk Assessment for local units of government. The risk assessment should be submitted with the completed application. The Pre-Award Risk Assessment is available on the DEED website.
The Energy Transition Office is accepting applications for grant funding for energy transition projects through the Community Energy Transition grant program under Minnesota Statutes 116J.55.
Funds Available
Approximately $10 million is available for distribution for the Community Energy Transition grant program.
SFY 25 - $4,750,000 million
A portion of State Fiscal Year 24 funding has been awarded. Call DEED if interested and a current amount of funds available will be provided.
Per Minnesota Statutes 116J.55 A grant awarded to an eligible community under this section must not exceed $1,000,000 in any calendar year. The commissioner may accept grant applications on an ongoing or rolling basis.
Background/Purpose
The Department of Employment and Economic Development, through its Office of Energy Transition, is seeking proposals/applications from qualified responders, as defined in Minnesota Statutes 116J.55, to assist eligible communities to address the economic dislocation and social impact associated with the closing of a local electric generating plant.
Match Requirement
The Community Energy Transition Grant does not have a match requirement. However, it is important for the grant program and for public education to know all the work and investments that the community has completed and will be investing and completing for this project. This is an opportunity to educate and explain the work your community/county has done to get to this point and to propel you forward. Other resources/investments can include but are not limited to in-kind time; cash; work and costs associated to other studies and planning to support this project; surveys; developer work including platting, environmental work, easement acquisition, topos, design work; and other that you have worked on not listed.