MnDOT announces availability in grant funding for northwest Minnesota community projects
Applicants must submit a letter of intent (LOI) by Oct. 31
BEMIDJI, Minn. — Event... was announced by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Body of the news release goes here.Minnesota communities, schools and their partners are invited to apply for funding on local projects that enhance transportation goals, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
The federal funding programs include Transportation Alternative (TA), Carbon Reduction Program (CRP), and the PROTECT program. A letter of intent (LOI) is recommended before completing the full application. The LOI timeline runs from October 6 - October 31. These programs are funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). More information, including the LOI form, is available at www.mndot.gov/area-transportation-partnerships/northwest.html.
The Transportation Alternatives Solicitation is a competitive grant opportunity for local communities and regional agencies to fund projects for pedestrian and bicycle facilities, historic preservation, Safe Routes to School and more. https://www.dot.state.mn.us/ta/
Carbon Reduction Program
The Carbon Reduction Program is a new program created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The purpose of the program is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
PROTECT Formula Program
The Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Formula Program was authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). PROTECT Formula Program provides funding to help solve natural disaster events such as flooding and other natural disasters through support of planning activities.
The grant opportunities are available to all 11 Area Transportation Partnership (ATP) counties and cities in northwest Minnesota:
- Beltrami
- Clearwater
- Hubbard
- Kittson
- Lake of the Woods
- Marshall
- Norman
- Pennington
- Polk
- Red Lake
- Roseau
2025-2026 Solicitation timeline
- Monday, Oct. 6, 2025 – Announce solicitation; Open LOI period
- Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 – Deadline for applicants to submit LOI
- Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 – LOIs review process by RDO/MPO/MnDOT Districts begins
- Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025 – Deadline for RDO/MPO/MnDOT District review of LOIs and recommendation to proceed with full application given to applicants
- Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 – Official start of full application period
- Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 – Deadline for applicants to submit full applications
- Monday, Mar. 30, 2026 – Deadline for ATPs to select projects; Deadline for MPOs to select CRP projects
Applicants must submit a letter of intent (LOI) describing the key components of their project to Troy.schroeder@state.mn.us A regional representative will contact applicants to help review the project proposal and the steps necessary for delivering a federally funded project. Each of these programs requires a 20% local match.
Search the MnDOT District 2 webpage for more information regarding these programs. Northwest Minnesota ATP - Area Transportation Partnerships - MnDOT
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