Kelash for Minnesota State Senate - A Senator for All the People of SD63

Using Tax Credits To Create Jobs & Preserve Minnesota's History

Senator Kelash supported bi-partisan legislation that will provide tax credits to developers who agree to rehabilitate the historic structures located at Fort Snelling.  Here's why: 

Civic leaders in Richfield, Bloomington and Minneapolis all point to the former military base at Fort Snelling as the area most likely to become the next destination center for tourism and commerce in the Twin Cities.  

Its proximity to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, the Hiawatha Light Rail system and two major freeways (494 and 35W); it's commanding location atop the bluff overlooking the confluence of Minnesota and Mississippi rivers; its historical significance; and the fact that federal dollars are being spent today to stabilize the old structures all combine to make Fort Snelling a prime candidate as a job creating redevelopment project.  

The Fort's rebirth has already begun.  The Boy Scouts of America are launching an exciting new recreational center called "Base Camp" on property adjacent to the Fort.  This facility will include  a variety of rope and rock climbing structures available for use by the general public.   

The tax credit Senator Kelash supported is equal to 20% of the costs of rehabilitation.  According to the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (PAM) of Minnesota, there are hundreds of historic sites such as Fort Snelling that should be preserved for future generations.  PAM studies show that 1,300 to 1,500 construction jobs would be needed to do the preservation work.