ST. PAUL, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee concluded its three-day tour of northeastern Minnesota by visiting the Iron Range. Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL -Hibbing) and Rep. Dave Lislegard (DFL – Aurora) joined the committee as they learned about infrastructure improvement proposals from colleges and universities, public safety facilities, water treatment plants, community centers, and agency offices.
“I’m grateful for my colleagues on both sides of the aisle taking time to visit the Iron Range to learn about our infrastructure needs,” Rep. Sandstede said. “Investments in projects like those my colleagues learned about this week will strengthen our communities and create new economic opportunities. With interest rates remaining low, and an excellent state credit rating, we have a great opportunity to fund infrastructure improvements all across the state.”
“Learning about a proposal in a committee hearing or reading about it on paper is one thing, but legislators getting the chance to see a project up close in person gives them a much deeper appreciation for the assets in our communities,” Rep. Lislegard said. “The infrastructure needs throughout Minnesota are significant, and this coming legislative session, I hope we can all work together to pass a robust bonding bill to fund important regional priorities.”
While on the Iron Range, the committee visited Mesabi Range College, the St. Louis County Regional Landfill, Gilbert’s wastewater treatment plant, Chisholm’s ice arena and curling club, the Minnesota Discovery Center, Redhead Mountain Bike Park, the Hibbing Fire Department, and Itasca Community College.
Additionally, lawmakers received presentations about funding proposals for the Aurora Community Center, Floodwood’s water and sewer infrastructure, ATV trails in St. Louis County, a water line replacement at Giant’s Ridge, Buhl’s water system, citywide infrastructure upgrades in Biwabik and Virginia, school and community enhancements in Bigfork, and an update on the Canisteo Mine Pit project.
During the committee’s tour, legislators also visited sites in Duluth, on the North Shore, the Arrowhead, and other locations north of the Twin Cities metro.
PHOTO: Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL – Hibbing) welcomes members of the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee to the Hibbing Fire Department Thursday to learn about the community’s proposal for a new Regional Public Safety Facility. The committee was on the final day of its three-day tour visiting sites with proposed public infrastructure improvements across northeastern Minnesota. [LINK]
PHOTO: Rep. Dave Lislegard (DFL – Aurora) welcomes members of the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee to the wastewater treatment plant in Gilbert. The current plant is beyond its industry-accepted design life and the community is planning to construct a replacement facility. The committee was on the final day of its three-day tour visiting sites with proposed public infrastructure improvements across northeastern Minnesota. [LINK]
