Economic Development

A financing tool for housing and economic development activities in St. Louis County. Used for projects that result in the creation of quality jobs and the attraction, retention and expansion of business or housing options within the county. 

Tax abatement is allowed under Minnesota Statute 469.1812 to 469.1815. The following documents provide an overview of the requirements in using tax abatement financing:

Application

Policy

Property-assessed clean energy financing is available to businesses, farms, multi-family housing, nonprofits, and places of worship in St. Louis County. PACE provides project financing that is repaid as a separate item on property tax assessments. PACE eliminates the burden of upfront costs by providing low-cost, long-term financing. Learn more about PACE Financing.

MinnPACE - Saint Paul Port Authority (sppa.com)

Minnesota PACE Financing (minnpace.com)

The CDBG program provides funds for physical improvement, economic development, housing activities, and public service activities.

To learn more, visit our CDBG page here: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) (stlouiscountymn.gov)

St. Louis County serves as the lead agency and fiscal agent to the NE Minnesota HOME Consortium. The HOME Consortium encompasses Cook, Lake, Koochiching, Itasca, and St. Louis County (outside of Duluth). To learn more, visit our HOME page here: HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) (stlouiscountymn.gov)

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Federal funding is available to prevent and assist with homelessness. To learn more, visit our ESG page here: Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) (stlouiscountymn.gov)

St. Louis County provides a Film Production Incentive Program to encourage the creation of film, television, and digital media content production in St. Louis County and to foster the local organic growth of the production industry talent and workforce.

For additional information regarding the program or how to apply, please click here: St. Louis County Film Incentive Webpage

St. Louis County provides broadband grants to support local broadband initiatives by providing financial assistance to eligible applicants addressing broadband needs in unserved or underserved areas of St. Louis County, Minnesota.

The purpose of the program is to assist communities with planning for and securing funds for broadband infrastructure in unserved or underserved areas of St. Louis County. Selected applicants will be awarded up to $25,000 and requires a 1:1 financial match. Eligible project costs are consulting costs and services, grant writing, personnel costs, surveys, and similar costs associated with planning.

Eligible Applicants: Cities, townships, tribal units, and non-profits located within St. Louis County.
Information Session: Click here to view the Webex meeting (The password to view this meeting is CDBG2021a).
Application Period: All eligible applications will be reviewed on an on-going basis subject to grant funding availability. 
Application: Application, W-9 Form 
Guidelines and Maps: Guidelines, Unserved and Underserved Map
Contact: Brad Gustafson, 218-742-9563, gustafsonb@stlouiscountymn.gov

The purpose of the program is to assist communities with financing broadband infrastructure in unserved or underserved areas of St. Louis County. Selected applicants will be awarded up to $400,000 and requires a 1:1 financial match. Eligible project costs are architectural and engineering fees, consulting costs and services, personnel costs, surveys, construction costs, broadband equipment, and similar costs associated with broadband infrastructure construction.

Eligible Applicants: Cities, townships, tribal units, and non-profits located within St. Louis County. Private businesses are eligible to apply with the support and on behalf of government entities and non-profit organizations. Multi-organization collaborations are encouraged.

Application Period: All eligible applications will be reviewed on an on-going basis subject to grant funding availability.

Information Session: Click here to view the Webex meeting (The password to view this meeting is dQDMNJm8).

Application: Application, W-9 Form 

Guidelines and Maps: Guidelines, Unserved and Underserved Map

Contact: Brad Gustafson, 218-742-9563, gustafsonb@stlouiscountymn.gov

Other Resources:

MN Office of Broadband Development
MN Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation
Blandin Foundation-Broadband
Range Association of Municipalities and Schools
RDOF Auction Award Winners
Consumer Complaint Center

Northland Connection
APEX
Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRRB)
Northspan
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
Blandin Foundation
ARDC Revolving Loan
Northeast Entrepreneur Fund
Northland Foundation
UMD Center for Economic Development 
Lake Country Power Co-op