Hubbard County Solid Waste Administrator Josh Holte is pursuing grants for recycling/composting and wood waste utilization programs.
On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Hubbard County Board authorized Holte to accept a 2025 Greater Minnesota Recycling and Composting Grant, if awarded through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
They also gave him authority to sign a second MPCA grant agreement, called the FY2025 Statewide Wood Waste Utilization Grant, if that one is awarded.
The recycling grant would be used to purchase a stacking conveyor and mulch colorizer, so that mulch could be marketed locally and regionally, Holte explained. He would also purchase a fabric building in Park Rapids for stormwater control for organic material collection as well as storing equipment. This grant has a 25% local match and $250,000 limit, Holte said.
County commissioner Steve Keranen asked how the colorized mulch will be stored and which colors will be utilized.
Holte said it’s typically red or brown, maybe even black or natural. “I think we have to play with it and see what works the best.”
In the wood waste utilization grant request, Holte said he included the colorizer and a trommel screen, “which would help get a better end quality for our products, whether it’s mulch or shingles or things like that,” he said. There is a 20% local match and $250,000 limit.
“Again, with this we’re building off our nine-county approach and the horizontal grinder that we’re getting,” Holte said.
Thanks to a $1.5 million Organics Management Grant from the MPCA, Hubbard County is acquiring a B66 horizontal grinder “to manage our wood waste in Hubbard County and nine-county region.”
The board accepted a $1,165,788 quote from Rotochopper, Inc., of St. Martin, Minn. for the grinder.
In related and other business, the board did this:
- Accepted the quote for 2025 recycling of scrap metal and appliances at $79 per ton and for batteries at 12 cents per pound from Crow Wing Recycling of Brainerd. Holte reported, “In 2023, we recycled approximately 1,487 tons of scrap metal and appliances, and 21 tons of batteries from our transfer stations.”
- Accepted low quote for 2025 electronic recycling from Universal Recycle Technologies of Janesville, Wisconsin. In fiscal year 2023, Holte said the county recycled 115 tons of e-waste. He noted the operating cost for the e-waste program has declined in recent years.
- Accepted a $46,172 quote from Felling Trailers, Inc. of Sauk Centre, Minn. for a 2025 triple-axel, 50-ton trailer for the county highway department. The current trailer is showing its age and has reached the end of its useful life, reported County Highway Engineer Andrea Weleski.
- Accepted Quote from MidStates Wireless to Purchase Equipment from Motorola Solutions and Install Equipment
- Learned a job posting for the county attorney position will run until Dec. 6.
- Signed a letter of support for the 2025 Heartland 200 snowmobile race.
- Set the equitable cost-sharing for publicly owned nursing facilities (ECPN) rate for Heritage Living Center at $15.21 per resident day. The increased rate is charged to both Medicare and private pay residents. The 2024 rate was $17.26 per day.
