WC Minnesota News

Co-Chair Mary Franson and members of the House Capital Investment Committee are set to begin a two-day tour of Southeast Minnesota to evaluate proposed infrastructure projects. The committee will meet with local officials and community leaders to discuss funding priorities and assess how state investments could benefit public assets in the region.

The itinerary includes visits to multiple counties, where lawmakers will review projects related to infrastructure, higher education, public safety, and environmental improvements. In Dakota County, stops include the Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley Water Treatment facility, Lakeville County Road 50 improvements, and water treatment facilities in Hastings. Rice County’s schedule features the Northfield Community Resource Center, Minnesota State Academies in Faribault, and River Bend Nature Center.

Other counties on the tour include Waseca County for clean water infrastructure improvements; Freeborn County for wastewater treatment facilities in Albert Lea, upgrades in Clarks Grove, and a wetlands restoration project; Mower County for the Hormel Institute BioImaging Center and Riverland Community College in Austin; Olmsted County for a materials recovery facility and a Rochester driving tour focused on key infrastructure; Fillmore and Winona Counties for the Historic Forestville Bridge, Winona State University projects, and regional wastewater system upgrades; Wabasha County for Highway 60 realignment and sanitary sewer district improvements; as well as Washington and Dakota Counties for Newport inflow upgrades and South St. Paul public works projects.

“These tours give us the opportunity to meet directly with local leaders, see the projects in person, and hear about the needs of their communities,” said Co-Chair Franson. “It’s an important part of our work to make sure every dollar in the bonding bill is invested responsibly and supports long-term growth across Minnesota.”

This is the fourth out of five regional tours planned by the committee throughout Minnesota. Information gathered during these site visits will inform bonding recommendations ahead of the next legislative session.