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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dan Fabian (R)

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Fabian’s bill would expand workforce housing in N.W. Minn.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Workers looking for a job in northwest Minnesota would have greater access to much-needed workforce housing as part of an economic development bill authored by Rep. Dan Fabian.

“Several of our area manufacturing businesses have a shortage of workers, not because they can’t find skilled employees, but because adequate workforce housing isn’t available for the folks who want, and need, to move here for available jobs,” said Fabian. “What we’re seeing as a result is a missed opportunity for increased economic growth across the region.”

Fabian’s plan is geared to support economic development, while ensuring local control throughout the planning and building process. Specifically, his bill would create a new type of tax increment financing (TIF) district for Greater Minnesota communities facing housing shortages. TIF is a proven, local economic development tool that would give cities a financial incentive to work with contractors and developers to build mid-priced, workforce housing units—without a fiscal impact to the state.

“Without growing government at a cost to taxpayers, this bill gives local cities the opportunity to invest in our region’s economic future,” Fabian said. “I think that’s something we can all agree on!”

Fabian presented House File 2739 in the House Property Taxes committee on Wednesday, March 12. Todd Peterson, Administrator of the Roseau Economic Development Authority, and Jonathan Bohn of Polaris Industries testified on behalf of Fabian’s legislation, which has broad bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate.

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