St. Louis County sells interest in Hibbing maintenance facility for $1.3 million

St. Louis County is set to enhance public safety infrastructure following a significant decision made during the Board Meeting on May 6, 2025. The Board approved an amendment to the joint powers agreement and the sale of the county's one-third interest in the Hibbing joint maintenance facility to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the city of Hibbing. This move is expected to facilitate the development of a new public safety campus in Hibbing.

The Board's decision, which passed unanimously, allows St. Louis County to receive $1.3 million from the sale, with Hibbing contributing $890,000 and MnDOT providing $410,000. This financial arrangement is based on the current and projected use of the facility, which has been a collaborative effort since its establishment in 1997.

Deputy Administrator Jim Faldesi highlighted the importance of this transaction, noting that it not only supports Hibbing's public safety project but also allows the county to maintain operational responsibilities during the transition. For the next two years, St. Louis County will continue to manage essential services at the facility at no cost while the city and MnDOT take ownership.

The Board's actions reflect a commitment to improving public safety resources in the region and demonstrate effective collaboration between local government entities. As the city of Hibbing moves forward with its public safety building project, this agreement paves the way for future investments and enhancements in community safety infrastructure.