The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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August 13, 2007

Our View — Greater Minnesota growing, too

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With about half the state’s population living in the seven county Twin Cities metro area, it’s easy to believe the rest of the state is seeing no growth, or losing population.

But that perception is wrong and can lead to public policy decisions that neglect the needs of much of the state.

While many counties are seeing only modest growth and, yes, some are losing population, many parts of greater Minnesota will have explosive growth. According to the state demographer, one-third of the state’s population growth between now and 2030 will be in eight regions outside the metro area.

Results from a new study, commissioned by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources, shows the big growth areas will be the Bemidji region, western lakes area of Alexandria, the Brainerd lakes area, the Willmar, St. Cloud and Rochester areas, and the counties north and south of the metro area, including the strip of counties east of Nicollet County. They will see 16 to 65 percent growth.

The study, done by the University of Minnesota, was looking at natural resources needs, specifically regional parks. Regional parks are at least 100 acres and provide things like camping, hiking and boating.

The report found that while there has been a big focus on creating regional parks in the metropolitan area, it’s being neglected in outstate. The metro uses a formula of 25 acres of regional parkland for every 1,000 residents. The growing outstate areas are tens of thousands of acres shy of that goal.

The study says the state will need to spend a quarter-billion dollars to buy 27,000 acres of parkland in those areas in the next two decades to keep up.

Funding could come in part from money raised if the Legislature moves on a proposal for a sales tax increase dedicated to wildlife habitat, water protection, parks and arts projects. Lawmakers and the governor last session agreed to the sales tax proposal but time ran out before it was acted on.

Buying land for regional parks in areas that will see dramatic growth must be done sooner rather than later. The same areas attractive for park use are attractive to developers and new residents.

Paying attention to the infrastructure and amenities of greater Minnesota goes far beyond parks. Lawmakers and the governor must be reminded that roads, bridges, parks, and other investments in greater Minnesota are as necessary as they are in the metro area.

Touting that message will be increasingly difficult as the political power concentrates in the Twin Cities region. With the large geographic area and diverse needs in the rest of Minnesota, it’s more difficult for political unity.

That’s why it’s important that outstate lawmakers, civic leaders and residents work together on broad issues important to greater Minnesota. The Twin Cities is a vibrant and vital hub in the state, but the rest of Minnesota is as important and shouldn’t be neglected.

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