On Thursday, the Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee wrapped up its three-day tour of bonding requests in Northwest Minnesota. The committee heard more than 30 proposals from local governments, colleges, state agencies, and other entities. The projects, which have each submitted formal requests for state funds, are related to infrastructure, construction, and more.

“It was an insightful tour that highlights just how vast the needs are across the state of Minnesota. Visiting these communities, meeting the passionate people involved in the projects, and seeing the projects firsthand really helps the committee make decisions on which projects we have the capacity to fund,” said Senator David Senjem (R-Rochester), chair of the Capital Investment Committee. “When the legislative session begins, there will be some really tough decisions to make.”

The committee heard about a variety of projects, including bonding requests for maintenance and expansion projects at Minnesota State colleges and universities, improvements to local wastewater treatment infrastructure, public safety initiatives, road improvements, community building projects, and more.

Projects are eligible for bonding if they are publicly owned and designated as infrastructure. This year, more than $5.3 billion in capital requests have been submitted. The committee will formally consider the requests when the legislature convenes in February.

In the coming weeks, the Capital Investment Committee will continue its tours in southwestern and southeastern Minnesota and in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. View the full list of tour stops and learn more about the bonding process at https://www.mnfrastructure.com.

Senator David Senjem represents Dodge and Olmsted counties in the Minnesota Senate. He serves as chair of the Senate Capital Investment Committee and is a former majority leader and minority leader.