Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) will join members of the Senate Capital Investment Committee on a tour of area projects seeking state funding. The tour, which will take place on Monday, January 8, is part of a 12-day statewide tour by members of the Senate Capital Investment Committee as they begin to prioritize capital requests in advance of the 2018 legislative session. The committee will make stops in Willmar and Montevideo.

The stops will include meetings with key community leaders and stakeholders, as well as tours of the proposed bonding projects in Willmar and Montevideo. The committee will hear a HEAPR proposal from Ridgewater College, a presentation by the Highway 23 Coalition, and do a drive-by of the Willmar Wye rail grade separation project, before making a stop in Montevideo to hear from community leaders on a proposed regional veterans home. Members of the local and statewide media are welcome to attend.

“Bonding projects are the state’s way of investing in its own future, and there is no better investment than Greater Minnesota,” said Senator Lang. “Vital projects in transportation, education, and our veterans deserve to be considered. I am excited for committee members to see the merits of these projects and the value to our communities, and to speak to the people who have worked so hard on these proposals.”

The Capital Investment Committee is responsible for considering billions of dollars in bonding requests from entities across the state. The committee will ultimately decide if the projects will be included in its final bonding bill. Bonds would then be sold by the State of Minnesota, with the proceeds used to pay the cost of building the capital projects that are approved by the legislature. In 2017, Senator Lang successfully advocated for over $12 million in bonding for area projects.

“Statewide bonding tours are an essential part of the committee’s understanding of capital requests,” said Senator David Senjem (R-Rochester), chairman of the Senate Capital Investment Committee. “The experience to visit proposed local projects firsthand is invaluable.”

Senator Andrew Lang is serving his first term representing Senate District 17, which includes communities in Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, and Swift counties in west central Minnesota. He serves as vice chair of the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee.