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MnCIFA
Impact for communities

How does MnCIFA benefit communities? 

We are providing financing to advance clean energy projects that face barriers to access capital in traditional lending markets. By making investments, we are able to leverage private and public investments and accelerate Minnesota’s transition to a clean energy future that benefits all Minnesotans. In the short time since MnCIFA was created in state law in 2023, we are already showing the impacts of green financing for communities.

Total MnCIFA investments* 

MnCIFA has issued a total of $23.1 million for projects with closed loans.

*Additional projects have been approved by the MnCIFA Board of Directors for loans and are pending final closure.

Total project investments 

Projects with MnCIFA loans have $107 million invested, 
with a ratio of about $5 in private and public investment 
for every $1 in MnCIFA loans.

Projects benefiting EJ Communities 

90% of MnCIFA loans have direct benefit to environmental justice (EJ) communities

Project types and locations 

Energy systems:

  • District geothermal energy system - The Heights redevelopment site, St. Paul
  • Geothermal and HVAC components – Avenues for Youth transition shelter for youth ages 16-24, Minneapolis
  • Geothermal and solar – 30,000 Feet, St. Paul  

Renewable and resilient energy:

  • Microgrid (solar and energy storage) – North Minneapolis Resiliency Hub, Minneapolis
  • Solar – Portfolio of solar projects at 10 sites (nonprofit community centers and places of worship) Twin Cities metro area 

Energy efficiency:

  • High-efficiency boiler system, efficient windows and roof – Sandstone School Workforce Housing, City of Sandstone
  • Ultra-energy efficient passiving housing – 3561 Minnehaha, Minneapolis
  • Revolving loan for energy components – Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (statewide); initial loan for net-zero new construction of Native American Community Clinic and affordable housing, Minneapolis 

Innovative energy technology:

  • Permanent carbon dioxide removal solution – Carba, Burnsville site  

Jobs supported:  

MnCIFA loans advance projects that support a wide range of jobs in construction, as well as development of new jobs for ongoing operational support of the organization. 
975 jobs have been reported to date by our borrowers as being supported by MnCIFA loans. This does not encompass all jobs involved or created as a result of the projects.  

Energy savings:  

In fulfilling our mission and statutory requirements, MnCIFA provides loans for projects that demonstrate energy savings or reduction in carbon emissions. 
These are energy savings that have been reported to date by our borrowers for projects being supported by MnCIFA loans. This does not encompass all energy savings as a result of the projects.  
 

Annual energy savings: 

Btus 5,833,000,000 
Kwhs 1824000
Metric tons 4,251
Energy utility savings $71,116 

Net-zero projects: 

3 projects with MnCIFA loans will have net-zero energy use