Metro Chambers of Commerce Back Southwest LRT Bonding

The TwinWest Chamber of Commerce, whose area includes Hopkins and St. Louis Park, is one of three local chambers supporting the inclusion of the proposed Southwest Light Rail Transit line in this year’s state bonding bill.

“As the economy edges toward improvement, major Twin Cities employers will be looking to expand—either in our area or elsewhere—in the coming years,” a news release quoted TwinWest Chamber President Bruce Nustad.  “We want to keep businesses growing here and that means making critical transit investments now.”

TwinWest, the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce—the state's three largest chambers—released a joint statement Tuesday that backed Gov. Mark Dayton’s plan to include $25 million in the bill toward the $1.25 billion total project cost.

The state would eventually need to provide $95 million more in addition to this $25 million and $5 million it has already put toward the project. The chambers noted that's a 9-to-1 federal and county match of state funds, including a federal share of $625 million.

Historically, even years are the time when the state approves a bonding bill with borrowing for capital projects across the state. Dayton released a $775 million plan Tuesday that contains money for a new Saints stadium, a Nicollet Mall renovation, the Rochester Mayo Civic Center and various other projects.

The Republican-controlled Legislature is likely to alter at least some of the DFL governor’s plan before final passage of any bill. The chambers of commerce support for Southwest rail comes in the face of opposition from key lawmakers, such as Shakopee Rep. Michael Beard (R-District 35A). The Transportation Policy and Finance Committee chairman has pledged to stop the Southwest light rail line "in its tracks."

The three chambers—which represent more than 3,000 businesses across the Twin Cities—argue that the light rail line is needed “to ensure the region remains a strong and competitive place to grow jobs.” Most roads in the Southwest corridor have no room to expand, and adding lanes cannot fully support projected growth, they say.

“Our members need high-quality transit options to get their employees to and from work,” the release quoted Minneapolis Regional Chamber President Todd Klingel. “In downtown Minneapolis, more than 40 percent of employees rely on transit. We can’t grow our region’s economy unless we can get people to their jobs.”