Sen. Gene Dornink (R-Brownsdale) announced today that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has awarded $2.49 million to two local projects through the state’s Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant Assistance Program (FHM).

“Our region has felt the devastating impacts of flooding on homes, businesses, and farms,” said Sen. Dornink. “These grants will protect our communities and agricultural lands, and I thank the local leaders who worked hard to make this funding possible.”

The FHM program is a competitive grant initiative through which the DNR provides cost-share grants to local governments for capital improvement projects that reduce flood risks and impacts. Each grant requires a 1:1 local match, fostering strong local partnerships and shared investment. During the 2025 legislative session, the Legislature appropriated $9 million to the DNR for distribution through the program, and eight projects were selected statewide to receive funding.

 

Locally, the following projects will receive funding:

• City of Austin – Acquisition of Flood-Prone Property Project: Up to $490,000 for the acquisition and demolition of a flood-prone commercial property.
• Cedar River Watershed District – Water Storage Project: Up to $2 million for small flood storage impoundments upstream of Austin.

The FHM program was created by the Minnesota Legislature in 1987 to mitigate adverse impacts associated with severe flooding. Since the program’s inception, the DNR has granted more than $600 million in state funds, supporting approximately 400 flood hazard mitigation projects throughout the state.