Capital Investment, or bonding bills, have always been some of the most important bipartisan agreements in the Minnesota Legislature. It’s how the state partners with local governments to fund essential projects — projects that keep our towns running, our businesses growing, and our communities safe.
This is why the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools, or RAMS, and local elected leaders from every corner of the Iron Range and northeastern Minnesota are calling on the Legislature to pass a bonding bill that will address the critical infrastructure needs of our region. 
Too many of our communities are dealing with outdated and failing water and sewer systems. Usually, this critical infrastructure lies buried beneath our feet and mostly remains out of sight. Roads, bridges, water, wastewater systems are all necessary to our everyday lives. 
We have drinking water systems that need upgrades to ensure clean, safe water for residents. These aren’t luxuries — they’re necessities. Without access to reliable, safe, and updated infrastructure, our economic growth, and quality of life our region suffers.
Investment in infrastructure lays some of the most important groundwork, quite literally, for our cities, townships, and school districts. It maintains some of our most important functions of government. We have towns struggling with aging wastewater treatment plants that can’t keep up with modern standards. 
The bonding bill is also about jobs. Infrastructure projects put people to work. When we invest in water treatment plants, roads, and public facilities, we are supporting local contractors, construction workers, and tradespeople who are the backbone of our economy.
More importantly, strong infrastructure attracts private investment. Businesses looking to expand or relocate need modern utilities and reliable roads. If we want to keep northeastern Minnesota competitive, we must make these investments now.
Finally, bonding is good for greater Minnesota.  We come together as a state to share in the burden of investing in communities across the state.  Greater Minnesota comes out ahead anytime the Legislature passes a bonding bill.
This is not about politics. It is about legislators of both parties coming together to do what’s right for Minnesota. Infrastructure is not a partisan issue. 
This isn’t just another bill — it’s an investment in our future, our economy, and the basic infrastructure that every resident relies on. Without state support, small towns face the impossible choice of either raising local taxes to unaffordable levels or watching their infrastructure deteriorate. The bonding bill provides critical funding to ensure that every community — no matter how small — has access to safe, modern, and efficient water infrastructure.
This is our priority because it affects every single resident of northeastern Minnesota. It’s about ensuring clean water, creating jobs, and keeping our infrastructure strong.
Let’s keep the shovels moving. Northeastern Minnesota — and the entire state — can’t wait.
To our legislators: Pass a bonding bill in 2025. Our communities are counting on you.
Paul Peltier
Executive Director of the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools in Mt. Iron.