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Minnesota Department of Health Announces Drinking Water Regionalization Grant Opportunity
Date Added: November 3, 2026
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has announced a new grant opportunity to support planning and assistance for regional drinking water systems. Funding may be used for feasibility studies, assessments, engineering design, legal assistance, and community engagement to help local governments explore shared drinking water infrastructure and services. Grant funds cannot be used for construction. Approximately $600,000 is available, with individual awards estimated between $50,000 and $300,000. Recipients must provide matching funds. Applications are due December 7, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Funding will become available March 1, 2027. Learn more about the grant and application requirements.

Federal Grant Opportunity Available for Rural Water and Wastewater Planning Projects
Date Added: October 27, 2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for its Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Grant Program. The program provides funding for preliminary planning costs associated with water, wastewater, solid waste, and stormwater infrastructure improvements in rural, financially distressed communities. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes serving communities with populations of 2,500 or fewer that meet certain income requirements. No matching funds are required, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Townships interested in applying are encouraged to contact their USDA Rural Development state office before beginning an application. Learn more about the SEARCH Grant Program and application requirements on the USDA website.

MnDOT Announces Funding Opportunities for Active Transportation and Safe Routes to School Projects
Date Added: October 27, 2026
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is accepting applications for its 2026 Active Transportation (AT) and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Infrastructure grant programs. These programs provide funding opportunities for eligible projects that improve walking, biking, and pedestrian safety in communities across Minnesota. Townships interested in pursuing projects are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and application guidelines. Applications are due January 22, 2027, with funding decisions anticipated by the end of May 2027.

Additional information and application materials are available through MnDOT:

• Local Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants

• Tribal Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants

• Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Grants

MnDOT ADA Construction Certification and Recertification Courses Offered in 2027
Date Added: October 14, 2026
Minnesota township officials and local government employees involved in road construction and infrastructure projects may benefit from upcoming MnDOT ADA Construction Certification and Recertification courses. The training provides information on accessibility requirements and construction practices to help ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In-person certification courses will be offered at six locations throughout Minnesota in February, March, and April 2027. An online recertification refresher course will also be available February 1 through April 1, 2027. These courses provide an opportunity for local agency personnel to obtain or renew their certification and stay current on accessibility standards. Learn More and Register

New Cybersecurity Portal Available for Minnesota Townships
Added October 6, 2026
Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) has launched a new Cybersecurity Knowledge Portal to help local governments and Minnesotans strengthen cybersecurity and reduce cyber risks.The portal includes cybersecurity best practices, training opportunities, templates, checklists, planning tools, news and resources aligned with state and national cybersecurity standards. Township officers can use the portal to review cybersecurity practices, improve preparedness and access trusted guidance in one convenient location. Learn more: cyber.mn.gov

Treasury Reminds Townships of Upcoming ARPA/SLFRF Deadlines
Added September 25, 2026
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released updated guidance for recipients of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), including important information on expenditure deadlines, award closeout and final reporting. The deadline to obligate SLFRF funds was December 31, 2024. All remaining SLFRF funds generally must be expended by December 31, 2026. Funds that are not expended by the applicable deadline must be returned to Treasury. Treasury has also provided guidance on reclassifying funds when an obligated project is delayed or comes in under budget. In certain circumstances, recipients may reclassify SLFRF funds to another eligible project, provided the applicable obligation requirements were met by the December 31, 2024 deadline.

Townships should also be aware that fully spending an SLFRF award does not automatically close the award. Treasury's closeout process requires recipients to complete their required compliance reporting and, when invited by Treasury, complete the Closeout Report. Recipients that have not completed closeout must continue submitting required reports.

Important upcoming deadlines include:

• October 31, 2026: Q3 2026 Project and Expenditure Report due for quarterly reporters.

• December 31, 2026: General deadline to expend remaining SLFRF funds.

• April 30, 2027: Final Project and Expenditure Report due for quarterly and annual reporters.

Township officials with remaining SLFRF funds are encouraged to review Treasury's latest guidance now and make sure their Treasury Portal contact information, reporting status and project information are current. Learn More – U.S. Treasury State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds

Free Minnesota Truck-Weight Education Training Offered This Fall
Added September 21, 2026
Minnesota LTAP is offering a series of free Minnesota Truck-Weight Education Program workshops across the state this October and November. The training is designed to help participants understand Minnesota truck-weight laws and haul the maximum legal weight while protecting public roads and highways. Topics include truck configurations, legal weight limits, seasonal road-weight regulations, winter load increases and spring load restrictions. Participants will also receive take-home materials to help apply the information to their own vehicles and hauling needs. The workshops are free, but advance registration is required. Register for Minnesota Truck-Weight Education Training

• October 20 – Rochester
  MnDOT District 6 Headquarters, 2900 48th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901

• October 21 – Shoreview
  MnDOT Shoreview Training & Conference Center, 1900 County Road 1, Shoreview, MN 55126

• October 28 – Duluth
  MnDOT District 1 Headquarters, 1123 Mesaba Ave., Duluth, MN 55811

• November 4 – Moorhead
  Joint Public Works Facility, 2951 41 1/2 St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560

• November 10 – Mankato
  MnDOT District 7 Headquarters, 2151 Bassett Drive, Mankato, MN 56001

• November 12 – St. Cloud
  MnDOT St. Cloud Training Center, 3725 12th St. N., St. Cloud, MN 56303

Northeast Minnesota Elected Leadership Circle
Posted August 27, 2026
Applications are open for the Northeast Minnesota Elected Leadership Circle, a nonpartisan weekend retreat for local elected and appointed leaders. Sessions will be held November 6–8, 2026, and May 21–23, 2027, at the Cloquet Forestry Center. Registration is $195 and includes lodging and meals. Learn more and apply: dawnmn.org/elc

IRS Mileage Rate Update: 72.5¢ to 76¢ Effective July 1
Posted July 16, 2026
The federal standard business mileage rate increased from 72.5 cents to 76 cents per mile, effective July 1, 2026. Township officials and employees should review the updated guidance when calculating reimbursements for the use of personal vehicles on township business. Learn More