City of River Falls Common Council MERCHANT MCINTYRE WORKSHOP 6/9/26

The City of River Falls Common Council held a workshop on June 9, 2026, featuring a presentation by Merchant McIntyre Associates on federal funding efforts for the city. The discussion focused heavily on procurement-related topics including significant grant applications and awards, such as a $24 million BUILD program application for surface transportation improvements, and ongoing efforts to secure funding for the Kenny corridor dam removal project with a federal cap recently raised to $15 million. The council reviewed the status of various federal grants, including $430,000 awarded for police equipment and $1.44 million for fire department initiatives, as well as a $4 million grant for library renovations. The meeting also covered strategic coordination of grant opportunities to support community-wide projects, including transportation, public safety, and economic development. Questions addressed local matching fund requirements, project timelines, and the challenges of securing federal housing grants, with an emphasis on leveraging state resources and layered funding strategies. The council acknowledged the importance of the long-term partnership with Merchant McIntyre to navigate complex federal funding landscapes and approved adjournment following the discussion.