Environmental Response Fund (ERF) Grant Program

The Environmental Response Fund (ERF) Grant Program in Hennepin County provides essential funding for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites. It prioritizes projects that address significant contamination, demonstrate readiness, and support public development and affordable housing initiatives. Eligible applicants include municipalities and nonprofit organizations. This initiative promotes economic development and sustainable practices, ensuring healthier communities while tackling environmental challenges.

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

Eligibility

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 operationEligible 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 available for the investigation and cleanup of non-petroleum contamination or petroleum-related contamination.

Ineligibility

ERF grants are not available to non-local government responsible parties.