MARSHALL — Southwest Minnesota State University and several southwest Minnesota communities are set to receive funding through Minnesota’s newly approved $1.2 billion bonding bill.
SMSU was awarded $1.2 million for facilities projects involving locker rooms, the gymnasium and the university’s athletics dome structure. University officials said the funding will support long-needed updates to athletic facilities.
The bonding bill also includes infrastructure funding for several area communities. Ghent will receive $3 million for water infrastructure improvements, while Russell was awarded $1 million for the next phase of its water and sewer system upgrades. Lake Benton will receive $863,000 for public infrastructure projects.
Slayton was awarded $2 million for reconstruction work on 34th Street along the south edge of the city. City officials said the project is intended to improve safety and reliability for residents, school traffic, emergency services and agricultural transportation. Plans include rebuilding the roadway to better handle heavy traffic and adding at least one paved shoulder.
Other regional projects funded in the bonding bill include $808,000 for a Dakota language immersion school in the Lower Sioux Indian Community and $1.3 million for preservation work on the historic swayback bridge in Ramsey Park in Redwood Falls.
