ST. PAUL – On the final day of session, Senator Rob Farnsworth (R-Hibbing) voted for the largest bonding package in state history totaling $2.6 billion between General Obligation bonds and dedicated cash. Between the two bills, Farnsworth secured funding for more than a dozen projects addressing public safety, public health, water and sewer, and economic development.
“Bonding is one of the most important tools the state has to keep our communities safe, improve water treatment, and invest in our roads and bridges,” Sen. Farnsworth said. “I know a lot of people were worried it wouldn’t happen, but I think we negotiated an even better bill than the one that was presented in March. I am proud to vote for these bills and get this money back into my district to meet the great needs we have.”
The following projects were requested and secured by Sen. Farnsworth:
- Wildfire Aviation Infrastructure (Hibbing airport), $6.36 million
- St. James Open Pit Mine, $2.5 million
- Canisteo Open Pit Mine Complex, $8.875 million
- City of Chisholm – Public Safety Addition/arena/film, $8 million
- City of Hibbing Public Safety ,$10 million
- Aitkin County HHS building, $2 million
- City of Gilbert Water/sewer, $6 million
- City of Buhl Water, $2 million
- City of Floodwood, $1.5 million
- City of Virginia Public Safety, $2 million
- City of Biwabik streets, $1.4 million
- City of Aurora Community Center, $639,000
- St Louis Co. Mining Exhibit, $385,000
- City of Embarrass Fair, $1.5 million
- IRRRB/Giants Ridge, $12.229 million
In addition to the bonding bill, the Transportation bill passed on Sunday included $6 million for Highway 169 engineering to resume work on the cross-range expressway.