Governor Walz unveiled his 2024 Infrastructure Plan on Tuesday January 16th at 2pm. More than half of the plan will be for preserving current state infrastructure. Although what are some of the local infrastructure projects looking for state funding?

Jack Carlson, the president of Duluth Building and Construction Trades, said you don’t need to look far for projects in need of state funding.

“One project coming up with the WLSSD this year is trying to utilize some geothermal for heating some of the downtown Lincoln Park buildings,” Carlson said. “That’s another project that we’d like to see get some funding and then get going. That’s just kind of been in the beginning stages or beginning phases as we speak.”

Carlson said some of the local infrastructure projects include water and transportation plans. The Duluth Airport Authority is looking for another Air Traffic Control tower. The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation needs funding for a new irrigation infrastructure replacement and design.

“I can’t guarantee which projects will get funding and guarantee which projects will get wrapped up,” Carlson said. “It all depends on what the governor’s office is going to be able to assist with funding and who’s going to be the recipients of those grants or that money that’s available. Whoever gets it is usually going to be the ones that are going to get the projects done first.”

Carlson said when it comes to infrastructure projects, funding is essential, but ensuring union and trade workers have job security.

“Most of our projects are passion projects. Our members in the area, they depend on these projects. So all our men and women that are in the trades it puts food on the table. So we try to fight to make sure we get enough of those projects going so we always have enough work for our members in the area.”

For the breakdown on how the 2024 Infrastructure Plan you can read more here. Also for more information about Governor Walz’s Infrastructure Plan for 2024, you can read more here.