Dayton to Unveil Grants for Construction Projects

ST. PAUL (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton says he will announce Thursday which local construction projects will get a slice of a $47.5 million state grant fund.

The governor is making the final picks after local governments submitted nearly 100 projects that didn't make it into a public works bill earlier this year.

Lawmakers put the money into the bonding bill and gave Dayton the final word on the selections.

A new ballpark for the minor-league St. Paul Saints and a Duluth parking ramp were among the projects that got high marks from state officials who evaluated the applications.

St. Cloud's application for money to build a new parking ramp next to the River's Edge Convention center received a 74 score out of 100. And, if the Governor goes just by the scoring system, will be left out of the money.

Also in contention are a civic center expansion in Rochester, a light-rail line in the southwestern suburbs and sewer upgrades.