ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Rep. Jason Metsa (DFL – Virginia) joined a bipartisan group of state lawmakers who serve on the Minnesota House of Representatives Capital Investment Committee to highlight a series of projects designed to create jobs on the Iron Range.
The events are part of an ongoing statewide tour by the House Capital Investment Committee to gather information and feedback about projects that could be included in a bonding bill that will be crafted during the 2014 legislative session.
Rep. Metsa joined the committee for today’s stops in Tower, Biwabik, Virginia, and Hibbing.
Projects assessed during today’s events included:
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Development at Vermillion State Park
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Improvements to Giant’s Ridge Resort
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Infrastructure improvements in Biwabik
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Relocation of the Mesabi Trail and Highway 53
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Improvements for the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Rescue Squad
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New office building for the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA)
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Improvements to the Virginia Convention Center
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Expansion of the Range Regional Airport
“We need to put people back to work and these projects are an important part of making that happen,” said Metsa. “Minnesota’s economy is growing overall, but there are still a lot of people on the Range who are in need of good jobs. I intend to do everything in my power to make sure these projects make it into our bonding bill.”
Metsa added that he sees a strong bonding bill as just one of many ways to improve the economy in northern Minnesota.
“We need an all-of-the-above approach when it comes to job creation. That’s why I continue to advocate for additional steps like raising the minimum wage, expanding our mining industry, and putting pressure on our federal officials to improve the national housing market, which is key to boosting our timber and logging industries.”
Rep. Metsa encourages the people of northern Minnesota to contact him with their bonding requests and job creation ideas as soon as possible if they have not already done so.
“If you’ve got an idea to diversify our economy, create jobs, and make sure people can earn a good wage for a hard day’s work, I want to hear from you,” said Metsa. “You can send your ideas to my office or give me a call at my home at (218) 741-5692.”
Minnesotans can reach Rep. Metsa’s legislative office by phone at (651) 296-0170, by email at rep.jason.metsa@house.mn, or by postal mail at 521 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.