Does your youth sports program need new pitching machines, basketball backboards and nets or hockey goals? Hennepin County is offering to pay for them through capital equipment grants.

Applications for the spring round of grants are due by 4 p.m. Friday, Oct 5.

The Hennepin Youth Sports Program has awarded up to $2 million in grants each year to build, repair, renovate or expand youth sports facilities in the county. The program sets aside $250,000 of that money—with individual grants ranging $1,000 to $10,000—to pay for equipment related to youth and amateur sports activities in the county. The grants, awarded each spring and fall, won't pay for personal equipment.

The program has distributed more than $9 million in funding to 54 capital projects and approximately 40 equipment grant projects since the program began in December 2009.

While local units of government may apply for these grants, a preference will be given to applications involving one or more youth sports organization.

The Twins ballpark sales tax, approved in 2006, funds the Hennepin Youth Sports Program and additional hours at 15 Hennepin County Library locations, including Sunday hours, Maple Grove's Thursday hours, and Minneapolis Central's Sunday and Monday hours. Up to $4 million annually is dedicated between the programs.

(Information provided by a Hennepin County press release.)