Wednesday, Gov. Tim Walz signed off on a $1.9 billion funding package for projects across the State of Minnesota. One of those projects is the Google Data Center project the City of Becker has been developing for many, many months.
Becker requested $24 million from the state to use for public infrastructure, including water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and drainage systems, roads and lighting for the business park redevelopment. City leaders have said the funding is necessary to lure Google to Becker’s Business Park and to override the losses the city will see when parts of Sherco’s Power Plant gets shut down over the next decade or so.
Becker did not receive the full $24 million from the state — but will get $20.5 million instead. Other recipients of the funding include: $10 million for the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex, $4 million for the St. Joseph, Jacob Wetterling Recreation Center, $5.5 million to Sartell for roads, $800,000 to St. Cloud for the Correctional Facility, $8 million to Foley for wastewater infrastrcuture, $500,000 for Central MN Regional Parks, $3.5 million to Melrose for a wastewater treatment facility, $90.9 million to MN State Colleges and Universities and $5 million for Alexandria’s Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management Facility.
The bonding bill passed the Democratically-controlled House with 100 votes in support (including Rep. Lisa Dumuth (R, Cold Spring) and Rep. Dan Wolgamott (D, St. Cloud).
The 34 nay votes included Rep. Sondra Erickson (R, Princeton), Rep. Shane Mekeland (R, Clear Lake), Rep. Tim O’Driscoll (R, Sartell) and Rep. Tama Theis (R, St. Cloud).
The bill had larger support from the Republican-controlled Senate.
Three Central MN senators were among the 60 “yay” votes including Sen. Jeff Howe (R, Rockville), Sen. Andrew Mathews (R, Princeton) and Sen. Jerry Relph (R, St. Cloud).
The City of Becker issued the following statement:
The Minnesota Legislature passed the 2020 bonding bill. Governor Walz signed the bill into law on October 21. The bonding bill package includes $20.5 Million to bolster Becker’s infrastructure and further develop the Becker Business Park. This funding is monumental for Becker’s future.
The City of Becker’s bonding request is a critical part of the City’s plan to diversify its economy and attract new investment to the community. Moving away from a coal-based economy is a challenge that Becker has embraced and is ready to conquer.
The Becker Business Park capital improvement project includes key public utility improvements. These improvements are key components of the city’s coal transition plan. Xcel Energy, Sherburne County and the City of Becker have been working to develop a state-of-the-art business park and will prepare several hundred acres of real estate for large scale business development. This investment will promote the City’s ability to leverage its own funds and facilitate development of the business park. The project will act as a catalyst to expand existing businesses and attract new industry resulting in additional jobs, growth in tax base and a strong local economy.
Mayor Tracy Bertram states, “We are thankful for all the support in our efforts to obtain a major capital investment here in Becker which will invigorate our state and local economy.”
City staff is planning for construction to start in the spring of 2021.
