Hubard County backs nearly $500,000 MPCA organics grant to upgrade transfer station for regional food‑scrap transfer

Hubard County commissioners voted to support an application to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for an organics management grant that would fund upgrades to the Park Rapids transfer station and help the county move collected food‑scrap organics to a regional processing site.

The resolution, presented by county solid‑waste staff, would allow the county to pursue the maximum grant award of $499,999; the program requires a 20% local match, which staff said could be met in part with in‑kind hauling and tipping fees. "This grant would help remodel the old transfer station building in Park Rapids and allow us to transfer our food scrap organics efficiently up to Pulk County," the presenter said.

County staff described the planned facility work as primarily interior upgrades: new floor and drains, updated electrical and insulation, and connections to city water and sewer to support loading a live‑floor transfer trailer. Staff estimated the full project could be about $600,000, meaning the county would likely provide a local match of a couple hundred thousand dollars over the next several years as part of capital planning. "We can count hauling and tipping costs as in‑kind match," staff told commissioners, noting the project is likely to be budgeted for 2027 or 2028.

Staff also outlined the operational approach: the county would continue its residential drop‑off program and commercial collections, consolidate full truckloads at the Park Rapids site and then transfer those truckloads to the larger regional facility in Pulk County for composting. Commissioners asked whether the county could build a local composting facility instead; staff said food‑waste composting requires MPCA permits, pads and liners, and leachate controls that make regional consolidation more practical.

The board approved the resolution supporting the grant application by voice vote. Staff said a decision from the MPCA would determine final scope and whether the county would proceed; if the award were partial the county would need to decide whether to scale the project or await other funding opportunities.

The grant would also include collaboration with Cass County to accept organics from neighboring jurisdictions and charge a tipping fee to improve throughput. If funded, staff said the upgrades should reduce transfer congestion at the Park Rapids site and integrate with previous reuse and transfer improvements.

Action: The board approved a resolution supporting submission of an MPCA organics management grant application to remodel the Park Rapids transfer station and to pursue regional transfer arrangements.