May 14, 2003 -- NEWS RELEASE -- State Representative Al Juhnke
rep.al.juhnke@house.mn
281 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-6206
3951 Horizon Hills Circle, Willmar, MN 56201
320/235-4442
JUHNKE WINS OK FOR BILL TO SPUR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Legislation giving the City of Willmar and Kandiyohi County the ability to jointly pursue economic and industrial development projects won approval from the House of Representatives Wednesday, according to Rep. Al Juhnke.
The measure, authored by Juhnke and Sen. Dean Johnson, was part of a larger bill including dozens of special provisions for local governments statewide.
"This is not only an economic development bill, but a government efficiency bill," Juhnke, of Willmar, said. "There's no need for the city and county to having duplicating - or even competing -
organizations working toward the same goal. And a combined entity would also save our local taxpayers a few dollars."
The provision gives the county and city power to create a joint Economic Development Authority - a legal entity that would have the power to go out and solicit new businesses to come to the region. Local officials, who requested the bill, plan to hire an economic development director to work on attracting new businesses.
The Senate recently approved an identical measure, but it passed as part of the Senate's Omnibus Tax Bill. That could cause some complications because the two bills won't match up in the House-Senate conference committee process. Juhnke said we would work to ensure the
Willmar measure won't "fall through the cracks" as the Legislature works toward its May 19 adjournment deadline.
