Camp Ripley update: Guard reports $137 million regional impact and expanded construction in 2025

Colonel Troy Fink, garrison commander at Camp Ripley, briefed the Morrison County Board on March 10 about the Minnesota National Guard’s operations and local partnerships.

"My name is Troy Fink. I am the garrison commander of Camp Ripley," Fink told the board, then reviewed operations, leadership changes, and economic figures. He said Camp Ripley’s economic impact to the surrounding counties is about $137 million and that construction spending rose from roughly $21.2 million to about $60 million in 2025.

Fink said the installation remains a level-two national training center with approximately 800–1,000 personnel onsite during non-surge periods and a heavier training tempo in spring and summer. He also described planned range updates, changes to live-fire qualifications, and the environmental program’s work: Camp Ripley intends to conduct prescribed burns on roughly 15,000 acres this year and runs a conservation enrollment program that covers about 40,000 acres.

The commander said planners expect a museum soft opening in July and a formal grand opening in September. He noted leadership transitions at division and command sergeant major levels and said his own retirement and a replacement selection are anticipated in the coming year.

Commissioners thanked Col. Fink and his staff for community outreach, youth programming and partnership with county agencies. Commissioner Casper noted the Guard’s role as a significant employer and economic partner for Morrison County.

No formal action was taken; the briefing was received for the record.