Lansing Township's application for a $527,000 Small Cities Development Program grant has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development.

Lansing Township applied for the funds to finance the construction of a centralized water supply and distribution system in Lansing Village. The project will address high, naturally occurring nitrate contamination in private wells. Another portion of the funding for this project will be provided by USDA Rural Development.

Grant funds under the Small Cities Development Program are competitive. Out of 90 applications, only 35 projects were selected for an award.

Roger Levy, a Lansing Township board member, was pleased with the approval.

"I finally just heard today, that's great," Levy said Wednesday afternoon.

The township will have to hold public notice meetings, but Levy said he hopes the project will start this summer.

The township had worked on the application for "a number of years" and turned it in last fall, Levy said.

State Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL Austin, was notified of the approval Tuesday.

"I am very pleased that Lansing Township was granted these funds," Sparks said. "Everyone who participated in the preparation of this application can be proud of a job well done."

The Small Cities Development Program funds projects that address decent housing, suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities. It provides federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to local governments for community development projects.

Eligible communities are cities and townships with populations under 50,000 and counties with populations under 200,000. The maximum grant award is $600,000.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com