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Dayton Jobs Proposal Will Create Over 27,000 Minnesota Jobs

1/15/2014 10:14:43 AM

$986 Million Bonding Bill Invests in Needed Infrastructure Improvements across Minnesota

ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Mark Dayton today introduced a bonding proposal that would invest $986 million in infrastructure projects statewide, creating more than 27,000 Minnesota jobs. This new jobs bill would help addresses many of the state's critical infrastructure needs, while strengthening Minnesota's economy and getting people back to work.

"My proposals will put thousands of Minnesotans to work throughout our state," said Governor Dayton. "This bill gives priority to projects that are ready to go. Many of them have been delayed for years and are crucial to revitalizing downtown business centers, modernizing MnSCU and U of M buildings and classrooms, and improving parks, roads, and local infrastructure."

Regional Civic Centers and Downtown Improvements
The Governor's bonding proposal invests over $104 million in downtown areas and regional centers statewide - projects that will create jobs, attract additional private investment, and support economic development in communities across Minnesota. Some of those downtown investments include:

$37 million for the Rochester Mayo Civic Center expansion
$20 million for revitalization of Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis
$14.5 million for a new addition to the Mankato Civic Center (Minnesota State Arena)
$14 million to expand and renovate the Children's Museum in downtown St. Paul
$11.6 million for an expansion of the St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center
$6.9 million for renovation of the historic NorShor Theatre in Duluth

Higher Education
Governor Dayton's bonding proposal also invests $233 million in our state's higher education systems to ensure that Minnesota students have access to world-class labs, classrooms, and training for the jobs of the future. Highlights of education projects included in the Governor's bill include:

$80 million for asset preservation and replacement at MnSCU and University of Minnesota campuses statewide ($40 million in HEAPR funds for each system)
$74 million for additional infrastructure improvements at 17 MnSCU campuses statewide
$56.7 million for renovation of the University of Minnesota's Tate Science and Teaching building
$12 million for the University of Minnesota's Research and Laboratory Improvement Fund

Roads and Bridges
Investing in strong, reliable transportation infrastructure is a critical part of building an economic environment where businesses can thrive. Repairing our roads and bridges for the future with smart investments will help support and attract businesses, and put hundreds of Minnesotans back to work in the construction trades. That is why the Governor's bonding proposal invests over $79 million in transportation infrastructure. Some of those projects include:

$30 million to fund bridge repair and replacements statewide
$29 million for roads and bridges at the TCAAP site in Arden Hills
$10 million for local roads improvements

State Capitol Restoration
The Governor's bonding proposal invests an additional $126.3 million to complete the state Capitol restoration process. Completing the restoration will ensure the building remains functional and safe for the next 100 years. For three decades, plans for repairing the aging building have been debated and neglected. But the funding provided in this bonding proposal will complete restoration of the building by the end of 2016. Restoration measures include repairs to the deteriorating building facade, and modernization of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life-safety, security, and telecommunications systems.

Other Investments
The proposal also includes additional investments in projects of statewide and regional importance. Some of those projects include:

$70.7 million for clean drinking water investments and wastewater treatment projects
$56.3 million for the remodeling of the outdated Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter
$54.6 million for natural resource projects including asset preservation, parks and trails, and land restoration
$50 million for housing infrastructure and rehabilitation (which would be the largest ever bonding investment in affordable housing)
$17 million investment in transit improvements
$12 million for economic development projects and grant programs
$7.8 million for pollution control initiatives
$4 million investment in veterans initiatives

ATTACHMENTS:

/governor/assets/20140115_bonding_narative.pdf_tcm1055-92775.pdfComplete list of Governor's 2014 Capital Budget Recommendations
/governor/assets/20140115_bonding_presentation.pdf_tcm1055-94445.pdf2014 Capital Budget Presentation

¹ Dr. Stephen Fuller, Faculty Chair and Director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University. Testimony before Congress on January 22, 2009:
His research found that, when there are sufficient unused labor, capital and materials, an additional $1 billion of investment in nonresidential construction supports or creates 28,500 jobs and adds $3.4 billion to GDP and $1.1 billion to personal income.

About one-third of the benefit accrues directly to the construction industry. Roughly one-sixth goes to industries that supply materials, services and equipment to the construction project. Fully half of the gain is diffused through the entire economy, as workers and owners in the construction and supplier industries spend their added income on a wide range of goods and services.

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