Metropolitan Council to hold State of the Region Event

January 30 at Minnesota History Center

ST. PAUL—Jan. 20, 2006--Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell will discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the Twin Cities area at the State of the Region 2006. The event will be held on Monday, Jan. 30, at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul.

At the event, the Council will:

Release the results of the annual metro residents survey.
Issue the 2005 annual report.
Display new tools to assist local communities in their planning.

“The Council had many achievements in 2005,” said Chair Bell. “We completed a highly successful first full year of rail operations, reduced emissions at the Metro Plant with the start up of new incinerators, launched the next round of local comprehensive plan updates and adopted a policy plan that calls for a significant expansion of the regional park system.

“Looking ahead, however, the challenges remain significant as the region prepares to site a light rail line or busway in the Central Corridor, evaluate how existing water supplies will meet growth needs and continue the work of ensuring the Twin Cities remains one of the nation’s most livable, most vital metropolitan areas.”

The State of the Region event will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. in the History Center’s 3M Auditorium at 345 Kellogg Blvd. W. The site is served by Metro Transit. Seating is limited, so please RSVP to 651-602-1844 or register online at www.metrocouncil.org/planning/sor2006/sorregistrationform.asp

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities area. It runs the regional bus and light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor.

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