ST. PAUL, MN – Early this morning, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bipartisan capital investment bill 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 Tom Anzelc (DFL – Balsam Township) successfully secured the $3.9 million in state funding needed to help finance the renovation of the Reif Performing Arts Center.
“The Reif Center renovation has been a big priority of mine for some time now,” said Anzelc. “A lot of credit goes to our local partners for contributing matching dollars. I couldn’t be happier knowing that future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy art, culture and theater in our region.”
Anzelc also led the charge for improvements at Itasca Community College, including a renovation of the biology lab in Wilson Hall and construction of a new campus-wide biomass heating system.
“I’m very pleased with the investments this bill makes in our universities and community colleges,” added Anzelc. “A high-quality learning environment is a key ingredient for academic success. It’s a fine compliment to the steps we took last year to make college more affordable by freezing tuition and boosting financial aid. And the biomass heating system for Itasca Community College is of course good for our region’s logging industry.”
The capital investment bill includes significant benefits for northern Minnesota’s economy, such as:
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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.
Other major highlights of the capital investment package include:
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$126 million for completion of the State Capitol renovation.
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$279 million in total funding for higher education projects for the University of Minnesota and MnSCU.
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Over $113 million for roads, bridges and vital transportation infrastructure.
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$100 million for housing, the largest investment in state history.
The Senate also approved the capital investment package this morning. It now heads to the Governor to be signed into law.
Rep. Anzelc encourages his constituents to contact him with any questions or comments about the capital investment bill. He can be reached by phone at (651) 296-4936, by email at rep.tom.anzelc@house.mn or by postal mail at 517 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.