PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Monday March 19, 2007

Contact: Noel LaBine 763-477-3086

Partnership held Transportation Plans for Wright County
seminar at Silver Springs Golf, Monticello MN.

     

   

  The Wright County Economic Development Partnership held a noon Luncheon Seminar on Transportation improvement plans for Wright County at the Silver Springs Golf Course on Wednesday, March 14 th .

The keynote speakers were Craig Robinson and Claudia Dumont, both engineers from MN DOT District # 3, and Wayne Fingalson, Wright County engineer. The topic was “Transportation Improvements & Development in Wright County for 2007”. WSB & Associates were the exclusive Sponsor for the event.

Craig Robinson is a project manager with MN DOT District #3, and has worked on the Highway 101 improvements in Otsego. Robinson explained that most of that project will be completed by the Fall of 2007, with minor work and #39 to be completed in mid-2008. Robinson also explained that surveys and studies are being done for the Elk River segment of the Highway 169, which will someday also be a super highway system.

Claudia Dumont is the senior project manager for MN DOT District #3, and she commented on other projects such as the budget item proposal that Governor Pawlenty has to widened I-94 between Rogers and Monticello .

Wayne Fingalson, Wright County Engineer, described the county's commitment to continual improvements to Wright county highways. In three years they have gone from a $3.5 million to a $7.5 million annual budget for highway and bridge improvements. Some of the priorities for 2007 include the County Road # 19 improvement between Albertville and St. Michael. Longer term they are supportive of the improvements to the I-94 and #19 interchange access improvement, adding additional access to I-94 at Kadler Avenue and Naber Avenue, and making the Highway 55 and County Road #134 a light controlled intersection.

There also was some discussion about roundabouts and it was suggested that the Partnership put on a workshop on roundabouts.

The Wright County Partnership's Noon Luncheon Seminars are a great place to network with community leaders from Wright County and get first-hand information about various development activities. The discussions held at these events have been very valuable to developers, city representatives, and others.

More events are being planned for future months including a retail analysis on April 25 th .

   The Partnership exists to enhance the business climate of Wright County and to help create more jobs in Wright County . The strategies the Partnership uses to achieve its mission include being an information resource and finding technical assistance; aiding business development through Business Retention & Expansion visits, providing financing resources, and providing business information and training through seminars and workshops. Also, the Partnership markets Wright County to business site locators, and maintains an excellent website, which includes a listing of commercial and industrial property available in Wright County (see www.wrightpartnership.org ). The Partnership also assists with Workforce Development and has gathered economic statistical information, which is available on its website.