[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6790031,"mediaKeyId","5666733-29a1bb544ee45cb22a230120044e7fe7","parentId",5666733,"title","County board approves support for Region 7W EDA application; funding decisions to follow","audioSeconds",439,"startMs",1386450,"endMs",1826340,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5666733-29a1bb544ee45cb22a230120044e7fe7&start=1386&end=1826","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5666733-29a1bb544ee45cb22a230120044e7fe7/thumbnail_1386450.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6790031/Benton-County/Minnesota/County-board-approves-support-for-Region-7W-EDA-application-funding-decisions-to-follow","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6790031-3222745c0d09dad21dd4d2d00d99e5b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639306&Signature=Dwm7lSrdVf7TKerLL5I8y2bCd67WvTYzyjcA8n-WiUquHQcrc3fgWU3Lg7kPeIyTuDe6DuQNwR39JFalVeanTgCqk0ktc~lbdg1J3GBwYNmXWYwfl9gximXgPnCw7m221Dr2kiQFHFhN8pDeZR2aRfsLh507lD-k2Xs4u~9vBUjvKkvFzivk8FLCgeweI~IiPuQRpbFEbJ9QQHTdEpCWBK5ltO5OytMI4-U8mcQhslegt~G60pGqJMlfeKSrb-J3MkwyU8Ri5gJ2MATPOy0ND1pxO19J--ec70aLDBn-CudrrPHoe8fRkHO5Kb~FNDBWm2VE6iLciH1mlH-mDcFJmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Benton County MN","date","2025-08-19T00:00:00Z","article","Benton County commissioners voted to support the Initiative Foundation’s application to establish a Region 7W Economic Development Administration district.

Amanda (staff) reopened a discussion started July 15 and summarized recent county actions: Sherburne and Stearns counties have adopted supporting resolutions while Wright County did not place the item on its agenda. Amanda emphasized that today’s action was only to authorize submission of the federal EDA application; future decisions about county funding, match commitments (in-kind staff time or levy dollars) and governance would return to the board if the EDA approves the district.

Commissioners asked whether supporting the application would lock the county into continuing obligations. Amanda repeated that the board would later consider specific funding mechanisms, and that the Initiative Foundation currently has grant funds to establish the district and expects to rely on in-kind staff contributions initially.

Commissioner Poppe moved to support the Initiative Foundation’s Region 7W EDA application with the understanding that the board would review funding and participation once the federal application advances; the motion passed by voice vote.

What’s next: Staff will submit the application on behalf of Benton County and schedule future board discussions about funding and the structure of county participation if the EDA approves the district.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 19, 2025 Benton County, Minnesota Board Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Benton County agreed to support the Initiative Foundation’s Region 7W Economic Development Administration application as a first step; staff emphasized approval authorizes submission only and any funding or match commitments will return to the board for later decisions.","taxTitle","Benton County, Minnesota","taxId",73140,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6790036,"Benton County backs neighbors' request for added screening at NextEra solar site",509,1871225,2380598,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5666733-29a1bb544ee45cb22a230120044e7fe7&start=1871&end=2380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5666733-29a1bb544ee45cb22a230120044e7fe7/thumbnail_1871225.jpg","/articles/6790036/Benton-County/Minnesota/Benton-County-backs-neighbors-request-for-added-screening-at-NextEra-solar-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6790036-94f98838355c170e15d30e091ebe1477/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639306&Signature=S3qeoV3kNcCpDf1G5FPy~IDoGZOAhn82jLeZuHPKXXszOg7vZ-VAda0w0NA9~HviLZMXJBc9Bp3rTcbryyVMiL8Gac7dmy-EIV~jDIweAdDnfEJkzcb9MBDVThrMQz-BRrF4CfbMt8yUxQ46bYUoULCkvbSKyq8x~ykazA374hyc12BBbml3Z3zo72yHJWxdMUy-6XKT-0l9z2nHPsZYpn40Knzuwn~i4yGs6~B01lDZJ92bI8F8uLwOkdIEnyxTM1EKBIYMxaEH03MDFmHvSU8dzXSDvnEONquvQB3v4iSm1gzHh-bWzaLwCotUjCnPOXU3ZBcV3MysPkah-jJD-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Benton County’s planning commission and county board agreed to support a draft letter asking NextEra and the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for added screening where a proposed large solar array borders a rural neighborhood.

Roxanne (Planning Commission) told the board the planning commission unanimously supported sending a letter requesting enhanced screening for the area near R Mitchell Court adjacent to the proposed project, and shared photos and an example from Sherburne County where an earthen berm effectively concealed panels from nearby houses. She said the draft would be submitted prior to a public hearing at the Sauk Rapids Government Center later this month.

Commissioners asked whether added screening would reduce the area available for panels. Roxanne said the engineering of a berm could affect layout but that the request is not a requirement—only a neighborhood-supported suggestion. Commissioner Johnson noted conversations with the Sauk Rapids fire chief who reported five fires in other solar installations and raised concerns about emergency access and owner responsiveness when incidents occur.

After discussion about potential screening solutions (berms, tree plantings, glare mitigation sails) and whether NextEra had seen the draft letter, a motion to send the letter to NextEra Energy and the Public Utilities Commission passed by voice vote.

What’s next: Planning staff will finalize submission details and circulate the letter to commissioners before filing it ahead of the public comment period and the Sauk Rapids hearing.","The county board approved sending a draft letter from the planning commission to NextEra and the Public Utilities Commission asking for enhanced screening—a berm and other measures—where a large solar installation abuts a rural neighborhood; planning commissioners and neighbors raised concerns about visibility, glare and fire safety.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6790041,"Benton County concurs with HRA bond sale to finance new government center",531,676095,1207525,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5666733-29a1bb544ee45cb22a230120044e7fe7&start=676&end=1207","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5666733-29a1bb544ee45cb22a230120044e7fe7/thumbnail_676095.jpg","/articles/6790041/Benton-County/Minnesota/Benton-County-concurs-with-HRA-bond-sale-to-finance-new-government-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6790041-e1b9169a6cd7a83690387766b7f8b5a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639306&Signature=ftgISCKHHW4HHstENgJH4I5oJchqtuLUzJ2G72zUepgJqZou-vGfEYrj9GVC4kiUAExCa43xgGtjaeTk7XWhxq08NYeeFiLbSwME~gIVEUC1l~2REcmL17qy6Y-kzsbwBHNvdPaLj4HzSJHQPYM86cg8ES-TLuEjNWKFP8IJSjo9dwDOyLE9DGEq7lEgczKQnmfzhcMFoUluR8~nfQsyhWZj~uqudetlaYEqhptlt284VVWtdBWl2AqgdAO1Up3lzLstjKs68sxPi0y8iShTNjEdOW4J4YJ~-ZebBjhqA1b6h9hG3XPxzBHqJgvDrap5eYTALey2ax1rlcOHmoDvVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Benton County Housing and Redevelopment Authority and county board approved financing steps on lease revenue bonds to help pay for a new Benton County government center.

Jessica (HRA staff) told the HRA that a competitive sale produced final par proceeds of $22,085,000 for series 2025A, with a final true interest cost of 4.45%—about 18 basis points lower than the estimate of 4.63%—reducing projected principal-and-interest costs by approximately $591,834 if the bonds remain outstanding for the full term. She said the structure runs 20 years with a first call date of Feb. 1, 2033, and reiterated the bonds are lease revenue secured by lease payments from the county to the HRA, not a county general-obligation pledge.

The HRA adopted a post-issuance compliance policy drafted by bond counsel to ensure proceeds are used for the intended project and that material events and continuing disclosure obligations are met. After the HRA vote, the county board reconvened and voted to concur with the HRA sale, authorized execution of the ground lease and lease agreements and adopted corresponding post-issuance compliance procedures.

Monty (bond advisor) summarized the competitive bid process: RW Baird and a syndicate won the award; Fidelity and RBC bid at higher yields. Jessica said receiving premium allowed the par amount to be sized where investors provided cash up front in exchange for higher coupons, which lowered the county’s yield on a true interest cost basis.

The county will make lease payments to the HRA from revenues available for debt service; board members noted the AA- rating on these bonds reflects the absence of a general-obligation pledge rather than a change in the county’s underlying credit. The motions to adopt the HRA bond resolution, the county concurrence resolution, and the post-issuance compliance policy each passed by voice vote.

What’s next: The executed documents will be filed and posted per the county’s disclosure procedures; the county will incorporate the new lease payments into future budget planning and follow the compliance steps outlined by bond counsel.","The Housing and Redevelopment Authority sold $22,085,000 in lease revenue bonds (series 2025A) to finance a new county government center; the county board concurred and adopted post-issuance compliance policies. Staff reported a true interest cost of 4.45% and roughly $591,834 lower projected debt service vs. earlier estimates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County board approves support for Region 7W EDA application; funding decisions to follow

Benton County backs neighbors' request for added screening at NextEra solar site

Benton County concurs with HRA bond sale to finance new government center