$1.4 Billion Bonding Bill Invests in Needed Infrastructure Improvements Across Minnesota

ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton today introduced a Jobs Bill that would invest $1.4 billion in infrastructure projects statewide, creating an estimated 39,900 Minnesota jobs*. This new Jobs Bill would help address many of the state’s critical infrastructure needs, including essential water infrastructure, while strengthening Minnesota’s economy and putting thousands of people to work.

“My proposals would put thousands of Minnesotans to work throughout our state,” said Governor Dayton. “This bill will help deliver clean, affordable water to Minnesota communities, and prioritizes projects that have been delayed for many years. These projects are essential to improving our state’s infrastructure. I ask the Legislature to join me in working to pass a capital investment bill this session that will support our local economies and create jobs.”

“Our top priority is building an economy that works for everyone, everywhere in Minnesota,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “This bill will help accomplish those goals by investing in classrooms for our students, affordable housing for more Minnesotans, and helping farmers expand and improve their operations. The many investments included in this bill will strengthen our communities and improve the lives of Minnesotans.”

The Governor’s Jobs Bill includes critical infrastructure projects distributed across Minnesota. It balances the needs of the state, with 35 percent of projects in Greater Minnesota, 35 percent in the Twin Cities Area, and 30 percent having impacts statewide. And Governor Dayton’ Jobs Bill is designed to make state resources go further, by leveraging more than $600 million in private, local, and federal dollars.

Main Street Minnesota

The Governor’s Jobs Bill supports regional centers statewide – investing in projects that will create jobs, attract additional private investment, and support economic development in communities across Minnesota.

• Lewis & Clark Regional Water System – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $16 million in the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System to deliver water to the City of Worthington to meet the growing needs of businesses and residents. This funding would complete the project and deliver water to more than 20,000 Minnesotans.
• Duluth Energy Efficiency Upgrades – To increase energy efficiency and reduce utility expenses, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill includes $21 million to convert Duluth’s steam energy system to a hot water system.
• Red Wing River Town Renaissance – The Governor’s Jobs Bill would invest $4 million to improve access between the dock and downtown Red Wing and renovate that city’s performing arts center.
• International Falls-Koochiching County Airport – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would provide $3 million for construction of an airline terminal at the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport.
• Bemidji Regional Dental Facility – To ensure access to oral health care for disadvantaged populations, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $6 million to construct a new, larger community facility for Northern Dental Access Center.
• Rochester International Airport – To meet security requirements of the Department of Homeland Security, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would provide $5 million for improvements to Customs and Border Patrol at the Rochester International Airport.

Water Quality and Infrastructure

Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $167 million in infrastructure projects to help communities across the state deliver clean, affordable water to their residents. The Governor’s plan would also invest $52.7 million in helping restore and protect water quality across the state, helping communities minimize wastewater in our lakes and rivers, expanding buffers, and cleaning up the St. Louis River Estuary.

• Water Infrastructure – Governor Dayton’s proposal would provide $167 million to the fund water infrastructure to help communities rehabilitate wastewater and drinking water infrastructure systems, expand capacity and meet water quality requirements. 
• Buffer Reimbursements – The Governor’s plan would invest $30 million in the Reinvest in Minnesota Reserve program, which compensates private landowners for granting permanent conservation easements and establishing wetlands on their lands. The funds will help Minnesotans implement the new buffer strip law passed last session.
• Keeping Clear Water out of Wastewater – The Governor’s plan would allocate $5 million for an inflow/infiltration grant program at the Metropolitan Council. The initiative provides matching grants to local governments to keep clear water from entering the municipal wastewater system, which can overwhelm and back up these systems.
• Duluth Area Contamination Cleanup – To clean up contaminated sediment and industrial waste at ten locations at the St. Louis River Estuary and the Duluth harbor and bay, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $12.7 million. 
• Wetland Replacement: To replace an estimated 300 acres of wetlands that are lost due to road construction across the state, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill includes a proposed $5 million investment in the Local Government Roads Wetlands Replacement Program.

Rail and Pipeline Safety

Every day, trains carrying oil and other hazardous materials pass through Minnesota. These trains present real risks to public safety and our natural resources. To improve rail safety, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would fund three major grade separations. The proposal also would improve warning systems at highway rail crossings and quiet zones and fund the construction of training centers.

• Highway Rail Separations – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill includes $69.6 million for highway rail grade separations in Moorhead, Prairie Island and Coon Rapids.
• Highway Rail Warnings – To help improve safety for trains and drivers, Governor Dayton’s proposal would provide $5 million to replace highway rail grade warning systems across the state.
• Quiet Zones Grants – To help improve safety and allow trains to run quietly, the Governor’s proposal would invest $10 million in a quiet zone competitive grant program for local communities.
• Rail and Pipeline Safety Training – Governor Dayton’s proposal would allocate $3.5 million for the construction of an oil train derailment and pipeline safety training venue at the Camp Ripley Joint Emergency Response Training Center.
• Minneapolis Emergency Training Facility – The Governor’s proposal would allocate $2.5 million for the expansion of Minneapolis’ Emergency Operations Training Facility to provide repetitive training for first responders in rail, gas, and electrical emergencies. 
• New State Emergency Operations Center – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $33.3 million to construct a new State Emergency Operations Center, to help coordinate during disasters and emergencies and serve as a training center for emergency operations.

Higher Education

Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest 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 the higher education projects included in the Governor’s Jobs Bill include:

• Maintaining World-Class Learning Facilities – To ensure that Minnesotans have access to high-quality education facilities, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $135 million in asset preservation and replacement at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and at University of Minnesota campuses statewide.
• Training for Jobs of Tomorrow – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $5.7 million for upgrades to laboratories and other facilities for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and healthcare education at South Central College in North Mankato and $27.2 million build a new science and engineering laboratory building at the University of Minnesota Duluth. 
• Health Education and Research – To strengthen the University of Minnesota Medical School and Health Sciences, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Proposal would invest $66.7 million in a health science education facility at the school.
• Innovative Education – To help train the next generation of Minnesota teachers, the Governor’s proposal would invest $16.9 million to develop an innovative Education Village at Winona State University.
• State-of-the-Art Learning – To ensure Minnesota colleges and universities have facilities that meet the needs of today’s students and future workforce, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $34 million to overhaul facilities at Bemidji State University, Minnesota State Community and Technical Colleges in Fergus Falls and Wadena, Northland Community and Technical College in East Grand Forks, Rochester Community and Technical College, and Hibbing Community College.

Critical Bridge Repairs

Governor Dayton remains committed to a long-term, comprehensive transportation plan that will support our state highway system, fund city and county roads and bridges, and support statewide transit access. Governor Dayton is proposing funding for two major bridge reconstruction efforts that will not be possible without additional state support.

• Kellogg Boulevard Bridge – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $42.9 million to rebuild the structurally-deficient Kellogg Boulevard Bridge, which connects downtown St. Paul with the city’s eastern neighborhoods and suburbs. 
• 10th Avenue Bridge – The Governor’s plan would invest $31.9 million to fully restore the deteriorating 10th Avenue Bridge which connects downtown Minneapolis to the University of Minnesota campus. 

Economic Development

Governor Dayton is proposing funding to support communities statewide investing in projects that will create jobs, attract additional private investment, and support economic development, including:

• Statewide Growth & Innovation – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $26 million in programs to help local governments statewide complete infrastructure projects to support high-growth and innovative industries in Minnesota.
• Port Improvements – The Governor’s proposal would provide $10 million to make navigation improvements and other enhancements at the ports of St. Paul, Winona, Red Wing, and Duluth to promote regional economic development.
• Transportation Economic Development Grants – The Governor’s Jobs Bill would invest $10 million in competitive transportation economic development grant funding to assist communities across the state with transportation infrastructure.

Workforce Support and Housing

Minnesota families depend on access to high-quality, affordable housing near their jobs and schools. In 2014, Governor Dayton and the Legislature invested a record $100 million in affordable housing. This year, the Governor has included $90 million for housing projects, enough to help 2,500 Minnesota households. The Governor’s Jobs Bill also includes $12 million for the Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul. More highlights are below:

• Housing Investments – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $90 million to preserve federally subsidized rental housing and existing public housing; acquire and rehabilitate or replace foreclosed properties; or construct, or acquire and rehabilitate, permanent supportive housing.
• Dorothy Day Center – The Governor’s proposal would allocate $12 million for land acquisition, the design, construction, and furnishing of the Dorothy Day Center, which will provide mental and chemical health services, job training, and other services to people experiencing homelessness.
• South Minneapolis Workforce Center – To ensure Minnesotans are connected to the resources they need to find and retain work in our state, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $1.3 million to repair and maintain the South Minneapolis Workforce Center.
• North Country Food Bank – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would allocate $3 million to construct a new building for the North Country Food Bank in Crookston.

Public Safety

Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would provide over $100 million in new public safety investments, including $70 million to complete renovation of the Minnesota Security Hospital, and over $25 million for public safety and security upgrades to the Minnesota Sex Offender Program. Details of the Governor’s proposed investments in public safety are below:

• Minnesota Security Hospital – To help protect staff and patient safety, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill includes $70.3 million to complete the renovation of the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter.
• Minnesota Sex Offender Program – Governor Dayton’s proposal would invest $14.5 million to expand the St. Peter Community Preparation Services program to serve the growing number of MSOP clients at this later state of treatment. The Governor’s proposal would also invest $12.4 million to build two new less restrictive, community-based facilities for MSOP clients with particular medical needs.
• St. Cloud Correctional Facility – To help protect public and employee safety, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill includes $19 million to complete new intake and loading dock at the St. Cloud Correctional Facility.
• Lino Lakes Correctional Facility – To help protect public safety and meet prison bed space needs, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill includes $5 million to add 60 new beds at the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility.
• Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would provide $2.25 million upgrades to ensure safety and security at the Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center.

Preserving Minnesota’s Treasures

Minnesota is blessed with a rich history. Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would protect that heritage by investing in historic parks and preservation projects around the state. The Governor’s bill would include the funding needed for the renovation and preservation of Historic Fort Snelling, which has not seen any updates in decades. Additional investments include:

• Fort Snelling Visitor Center – The visitor center at Fort Snelling is more than three decades old and poorly designed. To update the historic site, the Governor’s Jobs Bill includes $34.4 million for the renovation of vacant facilities in to a new visitor center. 
• Itasca State Park – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $6.1 million to renovate Itasca State Park. Itasca is the highest-grossing of any of Minnesota’s state parks, and one of the most-visited. Minnesota’s first state park, Itasca is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.
• Statewide Historic Preservation – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill includes $2.5 million to preserve and restore historic sites across Minnesota; including the Forestville site in Preston and the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis.
• Preserving Centers of Learning & Discovery – To preserve the Science Museum of Minnesota as a statewide resource for STEM education, and the Minnesota Zoo and Como Zoo as sources of learning and discovery for Minnesota kids (and adults), Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $49.3 million to revitalize the three facilities.
• Preserving Minnesota Parks – To preserve the natural beauty and community resource of Minnesota’s unparalleled park systems, Governor Mark Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $35 million in Minnesota’s state parks and $10 million in metropolitan area parks.

Agricultural Investments

To support one of Minnesota’s oldest and largest industries, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill invests in funds to help farmers make investments in their land and equipment, and to help improve that land for future generations. To ensure Minnesota agriculture and human health are protected, the Governor’s Jobs Bill also invests in agriculture laboratory equipment.

• Loans to Minnesota Farmers – To support one of Minnesota’s oldest and largest industries, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill authorizes $35 million in loans to help farmers make investments in their land and equipment, and to help improve that land for future generations.
• Agricultural Lab Equipment – To ensure Minnesota agriculture and human health are protected, the Governor’s Jobs Bill would also invest $2.2 million in agriculture laboratory equipment.

Flood Mitigation and Dam Improvements

To better protect Minnesotans from flooding and dam failures, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill proposal includes funding for flood mitigation and dam repair projects. The proposal would allow communities across Minnesota to fund improvements to existing flood control structures and the construction of levees. It also would help the DNR to repair, reconstruct, or remove dams, and better respond to dam safety emergencies. A listing of projects included in the Governor’s proposal is below:

• Flood Mitigation – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would allocate $3.5 million for flood hazard mitigation grants in Montevideo and Halstad. 
• Dam Repair and Safety – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would allocate $7 million for dam repair and reconstruction at Lake Bronson.

Fish and Wildlife

Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 lakes and abundant fields and forests, has a rich tradition of hunting and fishing. To help protect that heritage, and ensure it remains for future generations, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest in projects to address the declining walleye population of Lake Mille Lacs and support Minnesota’s pheasant population. Read more about Governor Dayton’s proposed investments in fish and wildlife below:

• Lake Mille Lacs Walleye Population – To address the declining walleye population of Lake Mille Lacs, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $3.5 million to develop a fisheries management station on the lake, including a DNR office, laboratory, and hatchery infrastructure.
• Supporting Minnesota’s Pheasant Population – As recommeded at the Pheasant Summit convenved by Governor Dayton in 2014, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would provide $9.5 million to aquire, develop, and improve lands for wildlife and aquatic management areas.
• Statewide Fish Population Support – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would provide $1 million to improve fish hatcheries statewide to control invasive species, enhance production capacities, and upgrade water systems.
• Investing in Minnesota’s Critical Habitats – To match private donations to acquire and improve critical fish, wildlife, and native plant habitats across 1,200 acres of Minnesota, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would provide $2 million to the Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match program.

Veterans and Military

In honor of those who serve and have served Minnesota and the United States in our Armed Forces, Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would make the following investments in Minnesota veteran and military facilities:

• National Guard Readiness Centers – Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest $4.5 million to construct a new National Guard Readiness Center in West St. Paul, to replace a nearly 60-year old facility and ensure Minnesota’s National Guardsmen and Women have the resources they need to serve our state and $3.5 million to renovate and expand the National Guard Readiness Center in St. Cloud. 
• Minneapolis Veterans Home – The Governor’s Jobs Bill invests $7.85 million to repair the historic truss bridge on the Minneapolis Veterans Home campus and ensure the safety of residents and workers on the campus.

A complete list of the Governor Dayton’s proposed Jobs Bill projects is available online.

MAP: See some of the projects Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill would invest in statewide. [ /governor/assets/2016_Jobs_Bill_handout_tcm1055-115152.pdfLink ]

SNAPSHOT: Look up Jobs Bill projects by county. [ /governor/assets/2016_01_15_snapshot_jobs_bill_by_county_tcm1055-115151.pdfLink ]

SPREADSHEET: See the full list of investments in Governor Dayton’s Jobs Bill. [ /governor/assets/2016_jobs_bill_spreadsheet_tcm1055-115150.pdfLink ]

*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.