DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota legislators passed bills this session that increase state support to the University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute located in Duluth and Coleraine.
The Omnibus Higher Education Bill (SF 2075/HF 2073) provides a base funding investment of $12M over four years. This four-year base funding will allow for investment in facilities and capacity for applied research in natural resources stewardship and economic development and to attract and retain top talent. Funds are also targeted for expanded entrepreneurial support and outreach efforts.
“The challenges of managing Minnesota’s natural resources are increasingly complex,” said Executive Director Rolf Weberg. “To build upon an effective portfolio of innovative solutions, we need the expertise, infrastructure and the support to attract state, federal, public and private partnerships.”
NRRI is also receiving funding through Conference Bill (CCR-HF 2310A). This bill awards the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency $2.1M in funding for NRRI to demonstrate innovative technologies to remediate difficult-to-manage pollutants, like sulfate, phosphate and PFAS.
“This represents a growing, closer partnership between NRRI and state agency partners to carry out our work together,” said Weberg.
He expressed appreciation to the University and Legislative partners, in particular, Senators McEwen and Hauschild and Representative Lislegard, for their persistent efforts in securing this funding, and emphasized appreciation for the strong bipartisan legislative support for NRRI.
“We are all working to make Minnesota a leader in the energy transition, decarbonization, environmental stewardship and emerging economies,” he added. “This investment helps us play on the national stage and bring a portfolio of funding opportunities to Minnesota.”
The Natural Resources Research Institute is an applied research organization with a mission to deliver integrated research solutions that value our resources, environment and economy for a sustainable and resilient future.
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