ELY, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee continued its tour of northeastern Minnesota, the panel’s second of three days visiting sites with proposed infrastructure investments in regional economies. Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls) welcomed the lawmakers to his district, which includes the Arrowhead, the North Shore, and part of the Iron Range.
“Minnesota is a vast state, and it’s great legislators get this opportunity to check out all our state has to offer and see projects worthy of our investment.” Rep. Ecklund said. “Our region has numerous opportunities for investments in clean water, higher education, outdoor recreation, and so many more that will help create economic opportunity, create good-paying construction jobs, and help strengthen our overall way of life. I hope we can come together at the State Capitol to deliver a sizable public infrastructure package this coming session.”
Lawmakers visited the Silver Bay Multimodal Trailhead Center, Tettegouche State Park, Vermilion State College, the International Wolf Center in Ely, and Vermillion State Park. The committee also received presentations about the Gitchi Gami State Trail, wastewater treatment facilities in Ely, Tower, and Babbitt, the Ely Regional Trailhead, and Babbitt’s West Development Housing Infrastructure project.
The committee was scheduled to continue its tour, through Thursday, across the Iron Range to learn about proposed infrastructure improvements at colleges and universities, public safety facilities, water treatment plants, community centers, and agency offices.
PHOTO: Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls), left, welcomes members of the House Capital Investment Committee to Tettegouche State Park along the North Shore Wednesday. The park’s current entrance bridge is nearly 100 years old and is considered fracture critical. [LINK]
PHOTO: Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls), second from left, welcomes members of the House Capital Investment Committee to the International Wolf Center in Ely Wednesday where lawmakers learned about a variety of proposed improvements to the facility. [LINK]
