Senator Nick Frentz’s State Competitiveness Fund Invests State, Federal Funds in Clean Energy Future

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – A bill to invest more than $100 million in state funds for clean energy innovation projects passed the Senate on Tuesday. The Minnesota State Competitiveness Fund (SF 1622) will allow qualifying entities to apply for grants totaling up to $15 million, while also competing for federal matching funds. In total, entities included in the legislation will be compete for billions of dollars from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The bill passed the Senate overwhelmingly, 39-22, with bipartisan support. 

“The State Competitiveness Fund combines more than $100 million in state funding with billions of dollars in federal matching grants,” said chief author Sen. Frentz. “We want Minnesota to compete effectively and fiercely for federal dollars. This funding would be a revolutionary investment for our state, our local units of government, Tribes, higher education institutions, rural cooperatives and electric utilities. With this legislation, we continue to drive Minnesota’s energy economy toward a cleaner, more responsible future. I look forward to seeing the State Competitiveness Fund legislation reach Governor Walz’s desk and be signed into law as soon as possible.”  

 ###

Senator Nick Frentz
Nick Frentz represents Senate District 18, which includes Ridgely Township, West Newton Township, Lafayette Township, Lafayette, Bernadotte Township, Brighton Township, Courtland Township, Courtland, New Sweden Township, Granby Township, Nicollet, Nicollet Township, Belgrade Township, North Mankato, Mankato, Eagle Lake, Lime Township, Kasota, Saint Peter, Lake Prairie Township, Traverse Township, and Oshawa Township. Senator Frentz is Chair of the Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee and Vice Chair on the Finance, Capital Investment, Commerce and Consumer Protection
and Rules and Administration Committees.

Learn more about Sen. Frentz.

Read more news from Sen. Frentz.
Senator Nick Frentz on FacebookSenator Nick Frentz on Flickr