2023 Transportation Economic Development Solicitation
Our Transportation Economic Development (TED) program is a competitive funding program designed to help generate economic benefits through investment in transportation infrastructure. Under this solicitation, we have $20 million to help fund construction projects in calendar years 2024 through 2026. You can use TED program funds only on trunk highway eligible projects.
Maximum award
We'll fund up to 70% of the total transportation infrastructure cost of the project or the state’s maximum allowable share as determined by our cost participation policy or Minnesota State Statute 174.12 Subd. 7, whichever is less.
Eligibility
Cities, counties, tribes and other government entities in Minnesota can apply for funds for transportation infrastructure projects on state highways that support economic development.
Greater Minnesota
Greater Minnesota is anywhere in the state outside of the seven-county metropolitan area (Hennepin, Scott, Carver, Ramsey, Dakota, Washington, and Anoka counties).
Projects
Your proposed project must have a trunk highway purpose. It must improve, enhance or modify a state trunk highway or highway right of way. Your project may do more than improve the trunk highway, but this program can fund work only on the trunk highway and trunk highway right of way as specified in our Cost Participation Policy for Cooperative Construction Agreements.
New or modified interchanges on interstates
If you want to submit an application for new or modified interchanges on interstates, you should consult with the Federal Highway Administration Minnesota division before you submit a TED application.
Measurable economic benefits
This program is for improvements that lead to measurable economic benefits. Your project must contribute to job creation, job retention or another measurable economic benefit. Housing development cannot be the primary beneficiary of the project.
Match requirement
You must identify other funding sources that will contribute to the transportation construction cost of your project. We encourage you to consult with your MnDOT district office to determine appropriate cost share estimates.
Preparing your application
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an expression of interest MnDOT TED 2023 Form by July 24, 2023.
- This short form does not commit an applicant to submitting a full funding application but is intended to initiate a conversation with MnDOT program and district staff about potential project ideas. MnDOT district staff will follow-up with all expressions of interest to discuss the potential project in detail and assist applicants with the process.
- This short form does not commit an applicant to submitting a full funding application but is intended to initiate a conversation with MnDOT program and district staff about potential project ideas. MnDOT district staff will follow-up with all expressions of interest to discuss the potential project in detail and assist applicants with the process.
- Once we receive your expression of interest, we work with you to review the project and collect all necessary information through our application by 5 p.m. on Sept. 22, 2023.
- We encourage you to work with local port authorities, economic development authorities, housing and redevelopment authorities and other agencies that specialize in economic development.
- Prepare the following required attachments:
- An economic impact spreadsheet
- A resolution indicating the governing body’s approval of this application and commitment of the match funding identified in the application
- A map showing the project location and the locations of affected businesses
- A project layout or conceptual drawing
- Optional attachments:
- Letters of commitment from the new or expanding businesses
- Evidence of community support
- Documentation indicating project is consistent with all applicable comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, etc.
Deadlines
- Expressions of interest are due July 24th, 2023 and full application will be due on Sept. 22, 2023.
How To Get More Information
An online information session discussing both the MnDOT TED program and DEED’s Transportation Economic Development Infrastructure Program is scheduled for July 10, 2023 from 10:00-11:30 am. Link Any identifying information (such as your name) will only be used for the purpose of understanding program questions. MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, a foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, please email your request to ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720.
Questions regarding this solicitation for TED may be directed to Peter Olson Peter.olson@state.mn.us or Jim Flaaen James.Flaaen@state.mn.us.
After you apply
Confirmation
We'll let you know when we receive your application.
Preliminary scoring
We'll review your project and provide comments. We may also ask metropolitan planning organizations and/or regional development organizations for feedback. We'll analyze your application and assign a preliminary score.
Scoring criteria
Projects must receive at least 50 points to be eligible for funding.
Criteria | Points available |
---|---|
Economic benefits |
40 |
Transportation benefits |
35 |
Percentage of non-MnDOT funding |
5 |
Project risk assessment |
20 |
We may award extra points if you include contributions from non-public sources or if the project advances the geographic distribution objectives in Minnesota State Statute 174.12. Total scores can't be higher than 100 points.
Transportation Programming and Investment Committee review
Our Transportation Programming and Investment Committee hears a presentation of the selection committees recommendations and makes a recommendation to the MnDOT and DEED Commissioners.
Commissioner approvals
The commissioners of both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Employment and Economic Development review and approve the final selection decisions.
Awards
Notification
We'll notify you with the decisions and we'll publish final scores.
Monitoring project status
After funding awards are announced, we'll monitor the project to ensure progress and program compliance, and work with you to develop final cost-share agreements.
Reporting requirements
If awarded funds, you'll need to submit annual reports beginning one year after construction is complete for up to five years after construction. If you fail to demonstrate adequate progress during the project’s pre-development phase, we may withdraw funding and allocate that funding to another project.
Deadline for use of funds
Projects must begin construction by the end of calendar year 2025, unless an extension is requested in writing and approved by MnDOT.
After projects are selected for funding, we'll continue to work closely with you to ensure that project pre-development activities such as project financing, right-of-way acquisition and environmental permitting proceed on schedule. Final cost sharing agreements will be completed based on an analysis of project elements and the MnDOT cost participation policy. This analysis could change the amount of the grant awarded.