— Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) and other members of the Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee recently toured three infrastructure and development projects in Senate District 9. The group stopped at the local projects as part of the Committee’s Central Minnesota Tour of regional projects seeking state bonding.

“As a member of the Senate Capital Investment committee, I was happy to invite my colleagues to Senate District 9 and meet with community leaders,” said Sen. Rasmusson. “I appreciate the communities for welcoming the Committee and presenting on their local priorities. Each of the projects we stopped at provided a great overview of their projects and funding requests for the upcoming legislative session.”

Committee members first heard from the Bois de Sioux Watershed District (BDSWD) about the Mustinka River Rehabilitation and Redpath Flood Impoundment, a four-phase project to protect the region from flooding.

According to a BDSWD release, Sen. Rasmusson was pivotal during the 2023 legislative session in securing $5 million in flood hazard mitigation funds for the Redpath Impoundment and other Red River Valley projects. This funding helped with the cost of construction for Phase 2, but Phases 3 and 4 are still awaiting final funding commitments.

During a presentation to the Capital Investment Committee, Watershed District officials shared that the total cost of Phases 3 and 4 is $49.3 million. They highlighted how the BDSWD has commitments to cover the majority of construction, but there is still an uncovered need of $14.7 million.

 Therefore, the BDSWD is requesting $14.7 million in state funding. Construction of remaining impoundment levees will be built under Phase 3, and Phase 4 construction includes the installation of concrete inlet and outlet structures.

Next, the Senate Capital Investment Committee stopped at the Traverse County Courthouse to learn about the community’s $8.5 million state funding request to build a new courthouse.

During the tour of the Courthouse, which was built in 1892, county officials told the Capital Investment Committee why a renovation of the current building is not feasible. This is due to significant structural concerns; inadequate work and storage space; and security, safety and health risks to employees and the public.

Finally, the Capital Investment Committee visited the City of Kensington to learn about the City’s proposal to develop a 33-acre parcel into both industrial/commercial and residential development. 

City officials highlighted how this project would fill a regional need for affordable housing, as well as a statewide need for housing in a low-cost-of-living area for telecommuters. However, the unique terrain and wetlands increase the cost of each lot beyond affordability. 

The City of Kensington is therefore requesting $1.8 million in state funding to install the necessary infrastructure to ensure the lots remain affordable for the industries and residents.