Dear Friends & Neighbors,
I hope you have enjoyed the start of fall and the great success of Minnesota sports teams these past two weeks! I was super excited to watch the Twins clinch the AL Central Division title and the Minnesota United win their first-ever spot in the Major League Soccer Cup Playoffs! In addition, the Gophers are off to a fantastic 4-0 start, with a big win over Purdue this weekend! It makes it easier to handle the Vikings’ unfortunate start with all the other teams doing so well! I'm looking forward to more exciting post-season success!
This week I'll be heading to Winona with my colleagues for an official "mini-session" of the House of Representatives. We will have three days of hearings on a variety of issues but, since we are not in session, all of the meetings are for informational purposes, no votes will be taken. I look forward to reporting back on what we learned next week!
Executive Summary:
It was also a busy week in beautiful #34A! I was able to host two district meetings that are very important to our area:
- Overview of the 3-year construction project on I-94 with a panel of MnDOT officials on Thursday;
- Meetings on the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in our community with MN DEED Commissioner Steve Grove.
- I also want to remind everyone that the deadline for High School Juniors to apply for the House Page Program is November 21st – get your applications in if you are interested!
I-94 Construction Meeting with MnDOT
On Thursday, I hosted a community meeting with officials from the Minnesota Department of Transportation today in Maple Grove to give the community an update on the upcoming 3-year project that will expand Interstate 94 between Maple Grove and Clearwater. The project, which is scheduled to be done in the fall of 2021, will improve safety and reduce traffic along a 39-mile segment of I-94 and be an investment of $350-$400 million in our region.
There is a great deal of interest in how this three-year project will impact commute times and the ability of businesses to get products to clients and the broader market that this important freight corridor serves. I am grateful that MnDOT officials took time to come to our district to lay out the timeline for lane changes and bridge closures and answer questions from citizens so we can know what to expect and how to plan for inevitable disruptions.
About 50 people attended the event and everyone had time to ask questions. MnDOT officials stressed the importance of staying informed to avoid frustration during the process and they provided several options for staying informed. Citizens can:
This expansion will reduce congestion, improve safety and traffic flows, enable more efficient movement of freight and promote economic growth in this vital corridor. I know construction is always somewhat painful, but MnDOT is committed to keeping two or three lanes open in both directions, depending on the segment, throughout this process. I hope people take advantage of all of the communication tools so they know how to avoid delays as the situation evolves.
Rep. Robbins introduces MnDOT officials at meeting on I-94 construction projects
Workforce Development Meeting with DEED Commissioner
On Friday, I hosted Steve Grove, the Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) in Rogers this morning as part of Workforce Development Month in Minnesota. The Commissioner made two stops in the district to learn more about the economic challenges and opportunities in our area.
During a meeting at Graco with business leaders and city officials from Rogers, Dayton, and Maple Grove, Commissioner Grove participated in a round-table discussion about how the worker shortage is impacting businesses' ability to meet demand and grow. Commissioner Grove also asked about factors that influence business leaders' decisions to expand or start new ventures in Minnesota.
It was an honor to host Commissioner Grove in our district. The Commissioner came to our community to learn about the opportunities and challenges facing employers and employees in our area. Business leaders and city officials had a robust discussion with Commissioner Grove about how the labor shortage, affordable housing, transportation challenges, and taxes impact their ability to grow.
The Commissioner also highlighted two initiatives he is working on, including CareerForce and Launch MN, a new program which begins on October 1st to encourage entrepreneurship and technology start-ups throughout the state.
The second stop was at The Social, a co-working space in Rogers, which gives members access to workspace amenities that are not available at home or coffee shops, including high-speed internet, private meeting rooms and opportunities to collaborate. Commissioner Grove met with owner Mike Colosimo and members of The Social to learn more about the benefits of co-working and the unique needs of small employers or start-ups in exurban communities.
Commissioner Grove is championing efforts to strengthen the innovation economy and we were delighted he could see first-hand all of the exciting opportunities in our area. DEED is often the first to learn about companies interested in expanding or starting up in Minnesota and we want to be on his radar as a destination for investment. I am proud to highlight our great business and city leaders, our hard-working, well-educated workforce, the concentration of talent and resources in our district, as well as the high quality of life in our district!
Rep. Robbins, DEED Commissioner Grove, and attendees at Graco and The Social meetings to discuss workforce development
High School Page Program
The Minnesota House High School Page Program is a great way for high school juniors to learn and get some hands-on experience with the legislative process. The deadline to apply is November 21. Click here for more details.
Please Contact Me
Many of you have already been in touch to discuss your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. Thank you for sharing your ideas! Please continue to contact me to discuss any matters to which I can be of assistance. My office phone number is 651-296-7806 or by email at rep.kristin.robbins@house.mn. My office is located on the second floor of the State Office Building in room 225.
Have a great weekend!
Kristin
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