St. Cloud, Sartell Among 90 Applicants for DEED Funds

ST. PAUL (AP) - Ninety Minnesota communities are seeking a total of $288.4 million from a state business development fund for projects ranging from sewer upgrades to recreational facilities.

One problem: The fund contains only $47.5 million.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development released the list of requests on Tuesday, a day after the deadline for applications.

Locally, St. Cloud is requesting $9.6 million for improvements to the River's Edge Convention Center.  Sartell is asking for over $3.3 million for a public safety facility, and they're also asking for $2.2 million for street improvements.  Albany wants $740,000 for their 8th Street corridor.  Becker is asking for $1.1 million for their Solid Waste Facility and Recycling Program.  And Todd County wants $500,000 for a Senior Citizens Healthy Living Center in Long Prairie.

Commissioner Mark Phillips says his agency will pick winners in the next several weeks after weighing each project's potential for job creation, increased taxes, return on investment and other criteria.