bonding bill

Calling it a "big deal" for Central Minnesota, officials at the St. Cloud Technical and Community College are excited to get started on renovations to their Auto Body and Medium-Heavy Truck Programs. The school received $4 million in bonding money passed by the State Legislature this week.

The State Legislature has passed a $500 million bonding bill, with no money allocated for the St. Cloud prison. The Department of Corrections spokesman John Schadl says they had requested $30 million for upgrades to the prisoner intake system.

The Minnesota House overwhelmingly passed the $496 million state bonding bill this (Monday) afternoon. And, although it doesn't specifically list the River's Edge Convention Center in the bill, the door has been left open for some state funding.

St. Cloud lawmakers say they are disappointed money for the River's Edge Convention Center has been left out of the bonding bill. State Representative King Banaian says St. Cloud was promised that money.

Little Falls officials hope state bonding money for the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic site will fly this legislative session. Site manager Charlie Pautler says they're requesting $650,000, which is part of the Minnesota Historical Society's larger request of over $7.3 million.

We told you the Minnesota House of Representatives included $1-million for the River's Edge Convention Center in its bonding bill proposal. But, it's well short of the $10.1-million the city of St. Cloud is seeking to complete the project.

The State House has included the River's Edge Convention Center in it's bonding bill -- sort of. The city was asking for $10.1 million to build a parking ramp adjacent to the facility. However, the House only included $1 million for the project.

The next phase of the River's Edge Convention Center has been included in Governor Mark Dayton's bonding proposal. Money to upgrade the St. Cloud prison has been included in Governor Dayton's bonding proposal.

Gov. Mark Dayton plans to unveil a list of construction projects he'll ask the Legislature to pay for using proceeds from the sale of state bonds.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held last (Thursday) night for the new River's Edge Convention Center. However, that doesn't mean the facility is done.