An estimated $400,000 in grants will be awarded in 2020 by a district that distributes federal mineral leasing funds to public entities in Mesa County.

That total for spring and fall grant cycles was part of the 2020 budget for the Mesa County Federal Mineral Lease District approved by the district board of directors.

The district received a distribution of $925,023 — a nearly 25.5 percent increase over the $737,322 distribution last year.

The district board approved a final payment of $324,000 for the Mesa County Jail expansion project and a $100,000 investment into the permanent fund.

The 2020 spring grant cycle is scheduled to open Feb. 1.

The district distributes federal mineral leasing funds to local public entities to support infrastructure, construction and public service projects that address the effects of energy development. Since 2011, the district has awarded more than $7.9 million to entities in Mesa County,

For more information, visit the website at www.mesaFML.org.