Envision Minnesota and the Building Sustainable Communities Consortium announced Austin as one of six Minnesota communities selected to receive free technical assistance this year.

The assistance comes from a $75,000 grant to Forterra from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Sustainable Communities under its Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program. The grant will be split among the six communities.

The city of Austin will build upon the work completed as part of the Austin Vision 2020 plan on an expanded bike/walk trail system. Technical assistance from Envision Minnesota will help implement Complete Streets as part of that expanded trail system and will maximize involvement from residents, business owners and other stake holders. This project builds upon existing momentum in the community by identifying strategies and timetables to accomplish goals with broad support.

The other five Minnesota communities selected are Blue Earth, La Crescent, Lexington, Pine River and Prior Lake.