5. EDSR 09-11-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Benton County Commissioner Duane Grandy has lived in the area he represents "pretty much his whole life," he said. Over the years, including 11 on the county board, he has seen many farms replaced with residential development. Seeking to influence this development's course, the former mechanic and tow-truck operator joined the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) soon after its inception about seven years ago. He became NCDA chair in 2003. Grandy hopes the Northstar rail line, which will run from Big Lake to the Twin Cities, will not only relieve traffic congestion but bring more commercial development. "Wherever there's light rail line, development mushrooms." He said the present estimate for getting the $265 million line up and running is "probably spring 2009. We were saying 2008, but everything's been dragging out and dragging out." The state made its first major commitment to the line this spring, approving $37.5 million through the 2005 bonding bill. State funding matched $44 million in local funds, and Minnesota's congressional delegates were then able to free up $80 million in matching federal funds. Grandy said the NCDA will need to reapply for funding at all levels next year, but Benton County is in the process of approving 2006 funding. "Let's say the stars are aligning," he said. Sue Rich is based in St. Paul.