By Rich Larson
The City of Northfield is launching a new effort to secure federal funding after the City Council approved a professional services contract with Merchant McIntyre Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm that specializes in helping local governments identify, pursue and obtain federal grants and congressional funding opportunities.
According to city officials, the firm will help Northfield find alternative revenue sources for projects and services that might otherwise rely heavily on local property tax dollars. The council viewed the partnership as a way to advance community goals while easing financial pressure on residents.
Merchant McIntyre will review the city’s Capital Improvement Plan and other strategic priorities to determine which projects may be eligible for federal funding. Potential targets include infrastructure improvements, economic development initiatives, public safety programs, park projects and water quality efforts.
City Administrator Ben Martig said Northfield has successfully secured federal funding in the past, including a congressional earmark for the city’s new northwest water tower and a recently awarded federal Safe Roads grant. However, he noted that federal grant programs are often more complicated and difficult to navigate than state funding opportunities, requiring specialized knowledge and relationships in Washington.
Mayor Erica Zweifel said one of the greatest challenges for local governments is keeping track of grant cycles and application deadlines. Funding opportunities can appear with little notice, leaving communities scrambling to determine eligibility, assemble required materials and obtain necessary approvals before deadlines pass. Merchant McIntyre’s familiarity with federal funding timelines is expected to give the city a longer planning horizon and a better chance of submitting competitive applications.
The city will begin the partnership with a 90-day trial period at a cost of about $10,000 per month. Initial funding for the contract will come from the city’s water fund because water-related projects are among the areas being evaluated for federal assistance.
While some council members initially expressed concerns about hiring another consultant at a time when the city has focused on controlling costs, support grew during council discussions. Officials concluded that hiring the firm would provide access to an entire team of grant specialists and Washington-based expertise for roughly the same cost as employing a full-time grant writer.
The city expects work with Merchant McIntyre to begin in October, positioning Northfield to pursue funding opportunities as a new Congress takes office and federal appropriations decisions move forward.
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
