Cook County to receive $3 million in state funding as legislative session closes

As the Minnesota state legislative session drew to an end, several bills were left to die as time ran out before they were voted on.

That said, several key funding decisions were made that impact residents of Cook County. After the session closed, Sen. Grant Hauschild wrote in a press release, “This year’s legislative session was a major success for Cook County, with millions of dollars secured for area needs.”

Both the county and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chipewa will receive state money in the areas of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) crisis funding and local infrastructure. The Cook County School District, ISD 166, will also receive some additional state funds.

EMS funding

A statewide EMS Reform and Aid package fill funnel nearly $240,000 to local EMS services in Cook County and Grand Portage, divided as follows:

• Cook County Hospital District North Shore Health EMS: $195,556.58
• Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department EMS: $74,843.01
• Grand Portage Reservation EMS: $43,971.68

Hauschild stated in the same press release that he is committed to securing long-term funding for local EMS programs in the 2025 session.

Infrastructure funding

While a larger infrastructure bill failed to pass, individual infrastructure projects did receive funding, including $2 million for a solid waste transfer station.

• Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa: – $160,000 for a playground and park.
• Cook County: – $2,000,000 for a new solid waste transfer station.
• Cook County Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) – $250,000 to support Senior Housing
• Cook County Higher Education: – $200,000 for commercial drivers’ licenses and trades training.

The state money awarded to the HRA will go to help maintain affordable housing for seniors at the Harborview Apartments, according to HRA Executive Director Jason Hale. He told WTIP, “The HRA has been working closely with our legislators on housing challenges in Cook County and throughout northeastern Minnesota. When Harborview Apartments was listed for sale last year, the HRA learned that the existing contract for affordability was about to expire and started exploring resources to help preserve some of the 31 units for Section 8 tenants in Harborview. Ultimately, this led to conversations with Senator Hauschild and his team. Thanks to Sen. Hauschild’s hard work and partnership with the HRA, $250,000 was approved to help preserve affordable senior units in Grand Marais.”

Education funding

ISD 166 will also receive $174,000 specifically to address absenteeism. The funding is part of a state-wide pilot program to address the issue. When asked for comment, Superintendent Chris Lindholm wrote in a statement, “Cook County Schools is grateful to MN Senator Kunish for reaching out to us directly, and for the support of MN Senator Hauschild and MN Representative Skraba to include our district in the Student Attendance Pilot Program approved in the legislative session.  The three year program will provide Cook County Schools with approximately $174,000 to work on innovative ways to improve student attendance at school.  We will work together to come up with the best ways to leverage these resources to work towards having all students attend school at least 90% of the time or more.” 

Kirsten Wisniewski May 23, 2024