As we look toward the 2025 legislative session, the rising need for investment in our infrastructure is a top priority for cities all across Minnesota.
A bonding bill that provides funding for essential aspects of our communities — like clean water, safe roads, affordable housing and environmental protection — is absolutely critical to the health and well-being of Minnesotans. Unfortunately, lawmakers left a bonding bill on the table last year when they departed the Capitol, leaving Minnesotans without the funding needed to assist with critical projects.
The value of bonding
Strong infrastructure makes a strong state. Bonding bills reflect an essential partnership between the state and local governments.
In addition to funding critical infrastructure, a bonding bill helps create thousands of jobs statewide. Bonding helps our communities move forward with significant infrastructure projects that they could not afford on their own.
Needless to say, going one more year without passing a bonding bill cannot be an option.
The water factor
Though out of sight and out of mind for most Minnesotans, water infrastructure is one of the most important facets of a bonding bill.
Most of us take it for granted that when we turn on the tap, we will have clean, safe water. However, many of the systems that treat our drinking water and wastewater — delivering it to and from our homes — are decades old and need replacement or upgrades.
It is estimated that more than $16.7 billion is required over the next 20 years to rehabilitate, expand and improve drinking water and wastewater systems. Most local governments cannot afford to move forward with water projects independently and need help from the state’s Public Facilities Authority (PFA) through loans and grants funded by a bonding bill.
For these reasons, the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities — a group of more than 100 cities outside of the seven-county metro — has made advocating for a bonding bill that includes $299 million for clean water infrastructure a top priority for the 2025 legislative session.
BDPI grant program
Another vital funding program for our cities is Greater Minnesota’s Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program.
BDPI is arguably one of the most successful and sought-after economic development grant programs. BDPI has helped Greater Minnesota cities secure up to 50% of the costs for the public infrastructure necessary to expand businesses, retain or create jobs and increase the local tax base.
The program is so successful that the current list of projects in the queue will exhaust any funds remaining for the program.
The bonding bill also provides crucial local dollars for several transportation programs, including the Local Road Improvement Program, the Local Bridge Replacement Program and the Local Government Road Wetland Replacement Program. These programs provide important state assistance for local road construction, bridge rehabilitation/reconstruction and wetland restoration projects that enhance the livability of our communities.
Without funding, these crucial projects will be delayed and costs will increase.
Passing a bonding bill requires Republicans and Democrats to work together. A bonding bill is so vital that it should be one of the first things the legislature does this year.
We promise to do our jobs — now it’s time for legislators to do theirs.
Shelly Carlson is the mayor of Moorhead and president of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.
Guest column: Bonding–an absolute ‘Must’
