GRIP Leaders
Molly Weyrens, St. Cloud
Amy Leither, St. Cloud
Because of some great organizing by people in the St. Cloud region, there is an increased possibility Northstar might get to St. Cloud, which would be an economic boom for all cities connected to St. Cloud. At a public meeting Nov. 12 there were close to 300 people at the River’s Edge Convention Center who showed up to learn and lend their support to getting Northstar to St. Cloud. There was a mix of racial and economic sectors present and the talk that night was a clear indication the momentum to stay on track and move this project forward was clear and focused.
GRIP/ISAIAH is an organization of faith leaders working together across race, faith and region in the St. Cloud area to empower equity and opportunity for all. It has involved all four of our elected representatives and has received the most attention from Rep. Jim Knoblach. With the research he has been doing, it seems the cost is actually not the $150 million the Minnesota Department of Transportation has shared or the $200-400 million the Governor’s office has forecasted, but that the cost will be minimal, if anything, given the structures already in place.
While Reps. Howe and Knoblach have responded, we have yet to hear from O’Driscoll and Theis. We hope as the session nears, we will see they too will want to be part of a team which leaves a legacy of economic gain and further promotes greater Minnesota at the state capitol. If we can do this with Northstar, imagine what other issues we can work on to create broader changes that benefit the common good?
Join us for a meeting from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 at St. Mary’s Cathedral’s lower church, 25 Eighth Ave. S. (note venue change). Hear updates and what you can do to help us get the train. For more information, contact abuckvold@isaiahmn.org or 320-339-1941.