Funding
Widseth’s funding specialists, architects, and engineers will help bring your project to life. You’ll benefit from our knowledge of funding sources, design experience, and established relationships with funding agencies.
We Simplify the Funding Process
Research and Guide
Our team will listen to your needs, gather information, and discuss the various funding options available for your project.
Pursue Funding Resources
We work with multiple funding agencies to streamline the process and secure essential funds for your project.
Post-funding Services
After your grant is approved, our team will continue to work with you, providing administration and labor compliance services to save you time.
Funding Experience
Our funding team has many years of experience. We are skilled at preparing applications to meet agency requirements, and often combine multiple funding resources on individual projects to provide the most affordable result. We have won the endorsement of many funding agencies with our high-quality services.
Community Involvement
Our funding team gets to know you and your community — your strengths, needs, and goals. This allows us to tell your story in the language of the agency. We believe in your community and are persistent in pursuing funds to help you meet your goals. We are just a phone call away when you have a project idea and need funding advice. This process has produced funding success for many communities.
Legislative Outreach Funding
Our funding team is experienced in helping city’s secure state legislative appropriations and federal congressionally directed spending awards. Our experience in wording the appropriation, and directing it to the correct committee, can be invaluable when combined with your legislative relationships.
Gap Funding
When your project has a funding gap, we reach out to additional local and regional resources for you. At times a small grant, such as $10,000, will make all the difference in project affordability.
Funding Success Examples
Widseth’s integrated team provided assistance on the projects below.
Dawson Water & Wastewater System Improvements
Dawson, MN
The City of Dawson faced excessive wastewater flows and system bypasses, prompting a Notice of Violation from the MPCA. Widseth developed a facility plan recommending phased improvements, including replacing most of the collection system, rehabilitating pump stations, and upgrading the wastewater treatment plant. The City’s water system also required upgrades due to undersized infrastructure and frequent breaks. Plans included replacing and upsizing the watermain, constructing a new 250,000-gallon elevated tank, and upgrading their water treatment plant in a three-phase project with funding assistance for the $15 million phase two.
Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA)
$9,729,225 (Grant)
$5,856,546 (Loan)
Kelliher Wastewater Improvements
Kelliher, MN
Kelliher had an urgent and emergency need to reconstruct their wastewater system. Minnesota Pollution Control agency had conducted an inspection and issued a Letter of Warning requiring immediate action. Widseth designed the reconstruction of the outlet control structure and piping, while adjusting the location of the stabilization pond entrance. The project replaced the main lift station pumps and added a system to allow remote monitoring of the pond. Funding of 100 percent grant was coordinated for their project that corrected the MPCA violation that threatened the safety and health of their system.
Small Cities Development Program (SCDP)
$417,300 (Grant)
Murdock Water Improvements
Murdock, MN
The City of Murdock faced issues with high iron and manganese levels, an undersized elevated tank with lead-based paint, and aging cast iron water mains. Widseth was hired to prepare a Preliminary Engineering Report, recommending two new wells, a 50,000-gallon elevated tank, a water treatment plant, water meters, and distribution system improvements. Due to the tank’s age, Widseth coordinated a historical evaluation with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Funding with three different agencies was coordinated, along with the engineering, to help make the project affordable.
USDA-RD, WIF, SCDP
$2,388,000 (Grant)
$2,538,000 (Loan)
Lake shore & Nisswa Trail
Lake shore & Nisswa, MN
The Gull Lake Trail is a comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle trail encircling Gull Lake in Crow Wing and lower Cass Counties. The final stage of the trail in Lake Shore encountered sensitive burial grounds prompting a redesign. The topography included a large wetland making this redesign challenging. After considering various alternatives, Widseth engineers realigned the trail to avoid the burial grounds and designed an aluminum framed floating boardwalk to cross the wetlands. This 900-foot boardwalk will have an observation deck to allow for bird watching, and relaxation while enjoying the trail. Funding for this trail section was coordinated during the redesign to make the project affordable.
GMRPTC
$2,528,591 (Grant), Lake Shore
$943,673 (Grant), Nisswa
Brainerd Public Library Rehabilitation
Brainerd, MN
The proposed project will address the challenges of an aging library facility by renovating the space and purchasing new equipment. Architects began by developing a facility assessment to identify issues and proposed solutions. The identified option will create a new conference room equipped with audio visual teleconferencing equipment and the addition of sixteen individual workstations and computers. To better utilize the public spaces, high density movable storage racks will be installed in the lower level. These improvements will enhance community resilience by expanding access to employment tools and resources.
MN Department of Education
$422,238 (Grant)
Crookston Care & Share Rehabilitation
Crookston, MN
Widseth helped secure more than $1.8 million in funding from two agencies for the renovation of Care & Share of Crookston, Inc. and its Hope Center. Widseth conducted detailed facility assessments, identifying deficiencies in accessibility, building systems, and interiors and they coordinated a successful application for funding. The funding will support critical renovations including roof repairs, window upgrades, and other safety and accessibility improvements.
MN Department of Human Services
MN Department of Housing
$1,808,575 (Grant)
Wannigan Park Facilities & Trails
Frazee, MN
Since 2023, Widseth has partnered with the Frazee Development Corporation to support the creation of a 168-acre natural resource park. Widseth led the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GRMPTC) master planning process, submitted the plan, and prepared the first funding application through the FRMPTC portal in July 2024. The collaborative public planning process resulted in a phased, community-supported plan that aligns with the park’s high GRMPTC designation and ensures long-term maintainability for the City of Frazee.
GMRPTC
$917,000 (Grant)
“Working with Widseth is amazing! They’re always there and have helped us every step of the way. They’re a partner everyone needs.”
Funding Agency Relationships
Our funding team has long-standing relationships with funding agencies so your application will receive the highest level of consideration.
Below are some of our many partnerships.
Water & Wastewater Funding
- Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA)
- USDA-Rural Development
- Small Cities Development Program (SCDP)
- North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality
- Community Development Block Grants
- Bank of North Dakota
Road Funding
- Local Road Improvement Program
- Greater Minnesota Business Development Infrastructure Program
- Federal Highway Administration
- Economic Development Administration
- MnDOT and NDDOT Programs
Funding for Public Buildings
- Community Facility Program
- Rural Economic Development Loan and Gant Program
- Demolition Loan Program
- Redevelopment Grants
- Minnesota Department of Education
- Minnesota Historical Society
Parks & Trails Funding
- Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails
- North Dakota Parks and Trails
- Minnesota DNR Outdoor Recreation Grants
- Local and Regional Trails Programs
- Active Transportation
- Safe Routes to Schools
- Transportation Alternatives
- State Park Road Account