On the final day of the 2023 legislative session, Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) was able to secure funding for renovation and upgrades to Grand Rapids’ water treatment plant, Brainerd water treatment facility improvements, and Central Lakes College classroom building renovations. The projects were part of a larger agreement between Republicans and Democrats on infrastructure projects around the state.

“Clean water and education are two of the core functions of government,” Eichorn said. “Grand Rapids and Brainerd badly need these projects, and I am glad we were able to deliver them this year. I am also pleased we were able to end this session on at least one positive note by persuading our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work together to address these core needs. These infrastructure bills became significantly stronger with bipartisan support and bipartisan involvement, and all of Minnesota comes out better for it.”

PROJECT DETAILS

• $2.5 million for a grant to the city of Grand Rapids to​ design, construct, and equip capital​ improvements to the municipal water​ treatment plant and related infrastructure​ necessary to renovate the existing facility and​ expand water treatment capacity for residential​ and commercial users. The appropriation​ includes money for facility improvements,​ including a new roof and HVAC system,​ upgrades to well pumps, construction of secure​ well houses, and other improvements and​ betterments of a capital nature connected with​ the water treatment plant.​

• $5 million for a grant to the city of Brainerd to design,​ construct, and equip a new backwash​ collection, detention, and reclaim system for​ the city’s municipal water treatment facility.​

• $11.591 million to Central Lakes College​ to design, renovate, and equip the student​ services, academic support areas, and athletics​ space of the Central Lakes College Brainerd Campus.