Aurora receives $156,000 grant from MPCA

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently announced a $500,000 investment to help eight communities in Greater Minnesota better understand how to prepare their infrastructure for extreme weather caused by climate change. The grants, which range from $27.000 to $156,000, will support cities’ plans to improve and upgrade stormwater and drainage systems and prevent flooding.

The City of Aurora received the largest grant at $156,000.

Aurora will use the grant to develop a stormwater management plan to improve drainage in the city specifically addressing runoff and direct groundwater input from the St. James Legacy Mine Pit.

Communities across Minnesota are recognizing the need to prepare for climate change. According to a recent MPCA survey, 87% of local governments reported recently experiencing the impact of at least one weather trend caused by climate change. Forty-two percent of Minnesota communities reported the need for additional funding for planning and infrastructure upgrades to address these impacts.

“The devastating flooding Minnesota communities have experienced over the past two weeks underscores the need for collaboration between the state and local governments to prepare for extreme storms,” said MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler. “These grants will help protect Main Street businesses and neighborhoods in small communities across the state from the worst impacts of climate change.”

This round of funding is specifically dedicated to supporting climate change planning in Minnesota communities with less than 10,000 residents. These grants are part of the Climate Resiliency and Water Infrastructure Grant Program, which was bolstered in 2023 with $100 million allocated by the Minnesota State Legislature. More than 40 Minnesota communities have received funding through the program since 2021.

As Minnesota’s climate continues to warm, extreme storms have pushed aging and undersized stormwater systems to the breaking point in communities across the state. Over the last 20 years, Minnesota has experienced 10 “mega-rain” events, defined as events when at least six inches of rainfall over an area of at least 1,000 square miles.