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Extension > Community > Business Retention & Expansion > Strategies > Costs & Financing

BR&E Strategies Program: Costs & Financing

Fees for the BR&E Strategies Program help to defray the cost to University of Minnesota Extension for providing technical assistance and research services. Extension absorbs part of the cost to make the BR&E Strategies Program affordable for Minnesota communities.

The contract is priced at $12,000 - $18,000 depending on location and complexity of the program.

Communities have received help in generating the program fee from a variety of sources, including private companies and foundations. Some examples include:

  • local utilities (such as Connexus Energy, Alliant Energy, Center Point Energy, Xcel Energy)
  • West Central Initiative Fund
  • Initiative Foundation
  • McKnight Foundation
  • Blandin Foundation
  • Southwest Minnesota Foundation
  • Initiative Fund of Southeast and South Central Minnesota
  • city and county governments
  • chambers of commerce
  • Sprint
  • and others.
For some specific types of programs, scholarships are available from industry organizations. Extension can help your community explore some options to help finance the program.

"We got our money's worth from this consultant study, which doesn't always happen."
Ben Martig, City Administrator
Marshall, Minnesota

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