In This Issue:
- Regional Economic Development Strategy: City Feedback Requested
- Metropolitan Council Committee Votes to Suspend Northstar Rail
Regional Economic Development Strategy: City Feedback Requested
The Metropolitan Council is in the process of updating its regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Regional agencies are required by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to adopt a CEDS in order to be eligible for EDA grants.
The Metropolitan Council is seeking feedback from metropolitan city officials, as it prepares to update the CEDS document, and along with the University of Minnesota, its partner in this work, has prepared a short survey asking for views on regional priorities, challenges, and opportunities for growth in the region. All responses will be kept confidential. The Council has asked Metro Cities to share the survey to its members. Feedback is welcome from city elected officials and city staff.
The survey can be found HERE. The survey is open until Friday, August 22nd. Questions? Contact Patricia Nauman at [email protected].
Metropolitan Council Committee Votes to Suspend Northstar Rail
On Monday, the Metropolitan Council’s Transportation Committee voted to authorize the suspension of Northstar Commuter Rail service. Council staff provided the committee with ridership data, costs of operating the line, and information on how the line would be replaced by bus transportation (at least within the seven-county metropolitan area). Ridership on the line reached a maximum of 2,260 average weekday rides before the pandemic. In 2024 there was an average of 430 weekday rides. The 2023 subsidy for the line was $116.60 per ride (compared to $16.70 per ride for commuter bus). The 2025 operating budget (not including insurance and capital expenditures) is $18.6 million.
Staff spoke about the 2024 Network Now engagement conducted by Metro Transit in Anoka County with impacted communities. Four public meetings were also held in April and May to specifically discuss the Northstar bus transition. The slides presented by staff include more information on new or enhanced routes and how the service will compare to Northstar. Click HERE to view the full slide show. This item is expected to come before the full Metropolitan Council on August 27, 2025.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
August Policy Committee Meetings
The second round of Metro Cities’ legislative policy committees will be held the week of August 25th. Committees are being held virtually this year, and all second meetings will host speakers. If you have not signed up, but would like to participate, please see our website at www.metrocitiesmn.org.