Lakes area projects to be included in House version of bonding bill

Several projects in the Brainerd lakes area are included in the House bonding bill that was announced Thursday in St. Paul, Rep. John Ward announced.

The Brainerd DFLer said the bill could create as many as 10,000 jobs statewide, including many in the Brainerd lakes area.

Central Lakes College will share in $3.9 million set aside for classroom initiatives and renovation, and the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area will share in $2.1 million designated for state park and recreation areas. The Paul Bunyan trail will receive funding for resurfacing.

Another regional project co-authored by Ward is funding to finish the construction of a public safety training facility at Camp Ripley. The project is ready to get under way immediately, he said, and would bring $10 million in construction to the area's economy.

Ward also authored the Greater Minnesota Business Development Infrastructure Grant Program, which appropriates $7.2 million for infrastructure projects across outstate Minnesota, and will create thousands of jobs for Minnesotans.

The House bonding bill came in just under $1 billion, which Ward said is a responsible size, especially since bonding rates are good right now and bids are coming in as much as one-third lower than expected.

The bill has to be reconciled with the Senate bill, before moving on to the governor.