CEO of Churches United elated over $4M state grant for improving homeless shelter

(Moorhead, MN) -- The CEO of Churches United is expressing elation after learning the agency has been awarded a $4M state grant to make needed improvements at their Micah's Mission homeless shelter in Moorhead.  

"Well I had to read the email three times because I was sure I had misinterpreted what was in there because we never thought we were going to get everything that we asked for even though we knew we had put together a very, very solid case," said Pastor Sue Koesterman.

Koesterman says the grant is from Minnesota's Office of Economic Opportunity. She says the grant will allow for a "significant" remodel of the shelter, including updating the HVAC system, adding a boiler and repairing the roof. The money will also be used to renovate office space and add eight additional rooms for families. Construction is set to begin in August and should be finished by early next summer.