HIBBING, MN – Today, Governor Mark Dayton unveiled a $986 million statewide bonding proposal designed to create over 27,000 jobs and improve Minnesota’s public infrastructure.
State Representative Carly Melin (DFL – Hibbing) said the proposal provides funding for several projects in her district, including a $5 million grant to the Chisholm-Hibbing Airport Authority to construct a new passenger terminal and boarding bridge for the Range Regional Airport.
“Expanding the Range Regional Airport is a top priority of mine,” said Melin. “Its importance to our regional economy cannot be overstated.”
Melin’s constituents would also benefit from a $2 million grant for the pre-design of a new office building for the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency and Range Mental Health, which serves residents of St. Louis and Itasca counties.
Another local project in Dayton’s proposal includes $3.344 million to design, renovate, furnish, and equip classrooms and labs in the MnSCU Northeast Higher Education District, which includes Hibbing Community College. In addition, some of those dollars would go towards demolishing space on the Hibbing campus that is no longer in use.
Melin said improvements to Hibbing Community College will create a better learning environment for students earning a post-secondary degree.
“Building a highly-skilled workforce is essential if we want to attract and maintain employers who provide good jobs. Investing in our local community colleges is a smart way to make that happen.”
Melin says Governor Dayton’s bonding proposal is a good starting point for what is shaping up to be a major focus of upcoming Legislative Session, which kicks off on February 25. As a member of the House Capital Investment Committee, Melin will work with fellow committee members to draft a bonding bill of their own.
“Our focus is on jobs and the economy,” said Melin. “I’m hopeful lawmakers from both sides of the aisle will work together and help put Minnesotans back to work by passing a strong bonding bill this year.”
Rep. Melin encourages her constituents to contact her with any questions, comments, or other feedback ahead of the 2014 Legislative Session. She can be reached by phone at (651) 296-0172 or toll-free at 888-726-0711, by email at rep.carly.melin@house.mn, or by postal mail at 515 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.