Last Friday, a Continuing Resolution (CR) funding bill was passed by Congress and signed into law, averting a government shutdown but slicing into Duluth's budget for infrastructure projects.
Mayor Roger J. Reinert expressed a mix of relief and concern, acknowledging the financial stability offered at the federal level, yet pointing to the local costs, "Congress recently passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year," Reinert said in a statement made by Duluth's official website. "While this provides some budget certainty at the federal level, it also means the loss of funding for two critical infrastructure projects."
The casualty of the federal budget fix includes $1.5 million originally destined to rejuvenate Duluth's Lakewood Water Treatment Plant. Mayor Reinert remains confident, however, that the earlier $11.2 million RAISE grant will be enough to comprehensively fund the Aerial Lift Bridge renovations. He added, trying to maintain a positive outlook, "The City of Duluth will continue to work with local legislators to secure state funding. These critical upgrades to our regional water infrastructure are not just required by the EPA, but they are the right thing to do to protect the best drinking water in Minnesota," as stated by the City of Duluth.
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