ST. PAUL, MN – Early this morning, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bipartisan capital investment package designed to create good jobs and grow Minnesota’s economy right now and into the future.
The package includes $846 in general obligation bonds and $200 million in one-time expenditures to finance projects with statewide significance, with a focus on higher education, transportation, housing, and basic infrastructure.
State Representative Jason Metsa (DFL – Virginia) says the capital investment bill will provide a major boost to northern Minnesota’s economy.
“This bill packs one heck of a punch,” said Metsa. “We’re funding projects that will have a positive impact across the economic spectrum, whether it’s mining, tourism, community colleges or our transportation system. It’s a winner for northern Minnesota, there’s no doubt about it.”
Local benefits include:
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MINING: $19.5 million to relocate utilities and trails in conjunction with the relocation of U.S. Highway 53, a project that will allow United Taconite and RGGS Land and Minerals to expand their mining operations.
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TOURISM: $14 million for the development of Vermillion State Park and $3.8 million to construct and furnish a new multiuse, year-round event center at Giants Ridge Resort.
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TRANSPORTATION: $5 million to demolish the existing terminal and construct a new passenger terminal for the Range Regional Airport.
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EDUCATION: $3.344 million for improvements to campus buildings in the Northeast Higher Education District, including Itasca, Hibbing, Rainy River and Vermillion Community Colleges.
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SOCIAL SERVICES: $3 million to design a new office building to house the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency and Range Mental Health Center.
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REHABILITATION PROGRAMS: $1 million for improvements to Northeast Regional Corrections Center campus buildings that support educational programming, work readiness and vocational training.
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PUBLIC SAFETY: $700,000 to create an operations and storage facility for the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Rescue Squad.
The Senate is expected to approve the bill and send it to the Governor to be signed into law.
Rep. Metsa encourages his constituents to contact him with any questions or comments about the capital investment bill. He can be reached 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, Minnesota 55155.