Minnesota Rail Service Improvement Grant
The MRSI Program provides grants for freight rail service improvement projects that support economic development in accordance with Minnesota Statute. $9.6 million is currently available through the MRSI grant program in FY 2024.
Eligible applicants
- Railroads
- Rail shippers
- Political subdivisions of Minnesota
- Federal agencies that seek to complete a major improvement or rehabilitation of railroad rights of way or other railroad facilities
Timeline
- November 2023 Information Session
Submit your application
- Applications were due Dec. 15, 2023
Application resources
- MSRI grant application
- MRSI Grant Funding Instructions (PDF)
- MRSI Grant Instructions Addendum 1 dated Nov. 6, 2023 (PDF)
- Affidavit of Noncollusion Form (PDF)
- Conflict of Interest Form (PDF)
- Resolution (Only for cities and counties)
After you apply
Scoring process
Project selection for the MRSI Program grant follows a two-step process.
Step 1: We evaluate each application for completeness and whether it meets requirements for project type, budget and anticipated completion date.
Step 2: A project selection committee reviews and scores eligible applications.
Scoring criteria
| Criteria | Points available | Data source/basis |
|---|---|---|
| Project Summary | 15 | Description of overall scope of the proposed project and how it will be accomplished |
| Rail Service Impacts | 30 | Information on impacts on rail service and the overall transportation system |
| Economic Impacts | 30 | Information on return on investment based on the economic impacts of the proposed project |
| Equity | 15 | Impact on areas of environmental justice concern using data from MPCA |
| Environmental Impacts | 15 | Information on the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project |
| Project Readiness | 5 | Information on project readiness |
| Project Funding | 20 | Information on total project cost and amount of grant funding requested |
Notification
Applicants will be notified of their selection status in April 2024 and a press release will be issued shortly thereafter.