Minnesota Rail Service Improvement Grant
The MRSI Program provides grants for freight rail service improvement projects that support economic development in accordance with Minnesota Statute. $9.6 million was available through the MRSI grant program in FY 2024.
Eligible applicants
- Railroads
- Rail shippers
- Political subdivisions of Minnesota
- Federal agencies that seek to complete a major improvement or rehabilitation of railroad rights of way or other railroad facilities
Timeline
- There is not a current application or upcoming solicitation planned. New solicitations will depend on the availability of new funding being appropriated for the program. The application in this page is for informational purposes at this time.
- November 2023 Information Session
Submit your application
- This solicitation is closed. To receive information about upcoming solicitations, select “Connect with us” on the righthand side of this page and you will receive this information.
Application resources
- MSRI grant application
- MRSI Grant Funding Instructions (PDF)
- MRSI Grant Instructions Addendum 1 dated Nov. 6, 2023 (PDF)
- Affidavit of Noncollusion Form (PDF)
- Conflict of Interest Form (PDF)
- Resolution (Only for cities and counties)
Resources for New Grantees
- Pre-Agreement Documentation Needed – MRSI Grants
- Certification Form – No Conviction of Felony Financial Crime
- Certification Form – Not Under Bankruptcy Proceedings
- Declaration Template
- Permit, License & Bond Certification Form
- Resolution Template
- Zoning Certification Form
After you apply
Scoring process
Project selection for the MRSI Program grant follows a two-step process.
Step 1: We evaluate each application for completeness and whether it meets requirements for project type, budget and anticipated completion date.
Step 2: A project selection committee reviews and scores eligible applications.
Scoring criteria
| Criteria | Points available | Data source/basis |
|---|---|---|
| Project Summary | 15 | Description of overall scope of the proposed project and how it will be accomplished |
| Rail Service Impacts | 30 | Information on impacts on rail service and the overall transportation system |
| Economic Impacts | 30 | Information on return on investment based on the economic impacts of the proposed project |
| Equity | 15 | Impact on areas of environmental justice concern using data from MPCA |
| Environmental Impacts | 15 | Information on the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project |
| Project Readiness | 5 | Information on project readiness |
| Project Funding | 20 | Information on total project cost and amount of grant funding requested |
Notification
Applicants were notified of their selection status in April 2024 and a press release was shared May 7, 2024.