State Sen. John Jasinski was recognized by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) July 26 during the Coalition’s three-day summer conference in Mankato for his positive impact on economic development in Greater Minnesota.

Sen. Jasinski, a Republican from Faribault, is serving his first term in the Minnesota Senate. The Legislator of Distinction Award is given to legislators who played key roles in advancing CGMC’s policy during the preceding session.

During the 2018 legislative session, Sen. Jasinski was eager to lend a hand on a number of issues that pertain to economic development. He was instrumental in ensuring that the Senate passed a fair and balanced bonding bill that included funding for several important programs and projects that aim to address Greater Minnesota’s transportation and infrastructure needs. In particular, he was a key advocate for increasing funding for the Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program (BDPI), which provides grants to cities to help pay for the cost of the public infrastructure needed for private business growth. The final bonding bill passed during the legislative session included $5 million for the BDPI program.

 “As a former mayor, Sen. Jasinski has a strong understanding of the issues that impact Greater Minnesota cities,” said Dave Smiglewski, mayor of Granite Falls and president of the CGMC. “One of the highlights of the last session was the passage of a strong bonding bill that helps jumpstart economic development in Greater Minnesota, and Sen. Jasinski was a key player in making it happen.”

CGMC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization representing 97 cities outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Coalition educates legislators about issues important to Greater Minnesota.