This EDA award supports the city of benson's construction of new flood protection infrastructure that will enhance the reliability and resiliency of critical wastewater treatment services during…

The City of Benson, Minnesota received a $1.767 million project grant award from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) on September 29, 2021 under the EDA's Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program. The funding will support construction of new flood protection infrastructure for the City's wastewater treatment facility located on the Chippewa River. Specifically, an earthen berm will be built to provide critical protection to the facility during future flood events and ensure critical wastewater services remain reliable in the face of natural disasters or economic shocks. The enhanced flood protection addresses concerns from local businesses and industries that rely on consistent plant operations. The project is expected to generate $60 million in private investment and create 20 new jobs in the community.

This EDA award supports the city of benson's construction of new flood protection infrastructure that will enhance the reliability and resiliency of critical wastewater treatment services during future natural disasters like those that affected the city in 2019. The city's existing wastewater treatment (WWTP) facility sits on the chippewa river. In 2019, the city flooded, and while the WWTP facility's property was flooded, the plant itself was not affected. After years of city investments to move critical infrastructure out of harm's way, the WWTP facility is still unprotected and vulnerable. The EDA-funded earthen berm will provide critical protection to the facility during future flood events, and will ensure critical services remain online and resilient in the face of future economic shocks. The enhanced protection provided by the new berm addresses concerns voiced by business and industrial users who rely on the plant to keep operations running during disaster events, and the project is expected to create 20 new jobs and generate $60,000,000 in private investment.