Wright County authorizes application for FY27 EPA Brownfields Coalition Assessment grant

The Wright County Board of Supervisors voted June 1 to authorize the county economic development department and Director Aaron Budwe to apply for and administer the FY2027 EPA Brownfields Coalition Assessment Grant.

Budwe told the board he is pursuing a $1 million Brownfields Coalition Initiative opportunity and urged the county to act early because the application does not open until late September or October. He said participating cities would form task forces to identify candidate properties if the grant is pursued and added he has been sharing information with municipalities around the county.

"I'm working on a $1 million grant for Brownfields Coalition Initiative and asked to be placed on the agenda next week," Budwe said during the meeting.

The board approved a motion authorizing Budwe and the economic development department to apply for and, if awarded, administer the grant. Staff reported there were no specific target buildings identified at this time; selection of sites would proceed through local task-force work with municipal partners and any required assessments.

The board did not set binding commitments of local match or project-selection criteria at the meeting; Budwe said staff will return with specifics as the application process is developed and as municipal partners identify candidate sites.