WDSE WDSE WDSE KEN: ON THE NEXT "IN BUSINESS," WE TAKE A LOOK AT SENIOR SERVICES AND THE ORGANIZATIONS HELPING PEOPLE LIVE WELL ACROSS OUR REGION.

THAT’S FRIDAY AT 8:00 ON PBS NORTH.

KEN: I’M KEN BUEHLER.

ON THE NEXT "IN BUSINESS," WE TAKE A LOOK AT SENIOR SERVICES IN THE ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES HELPING PEOPLE LIVE WELL ACROSS OUR REGION.

MONDAY AT 5:30 ON THE NORTH 103.3.

>> AT ONE TIME, THERE WERE 600 MEMBERS OF THE DILUTE CIGAR MAKERS UNION.

LEAVING PROVOCATIVE WAS BROUGHT IN -- LEAFY TOBACCO WAS BROUGHT IN BY THE BOXCAR LOAD.

WE TAKE YOU TO SOME ORANGE CONE CONSTRUCTION ZONES TONIGHT ON "IN BUSINESS."

KEN: THIS IS "IN BUSINESS."

OUR FIRST SEGMENT IS "THEY MAKE WHAT HERE?"

>> THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY IS TIM JOHNSON.

>> OBVIOUSLY, THE BUSINESS IS GROWING.

WHAT DOES YOUR FUTURE LOOK LIKE.

>> WE HAVE A STRONG FUTURE.

>> THAT IS AN EXCITING PART OF THE BUSINESS?

>> YEAH, IT’S GREAT.

>> THEY HAVE A SAYING ABOUT THIS WITH US.

WHEN THEY HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DO IN SWITZERLAND, THEY BUILD A TUNNEL.

KEN: AT ONE TIME, THERE WERE 600 MEMBERS OF THE DILUTE CIGAR MAKERS UNION.

LEAFY TOBACCO WAS BROUGHT IN BY THE BOXCAR LOAD.

HANDROLLED CIGARS WERE VERY POPULAR, AND THAT GOT US TO THINK.

I’M KEN BUEHLER.

THIS IS "IN BUSINESS."

WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WAS MADE HERE IN THE PAST AND NOW THAT WILL MAKE YOU GO WOW.

THIS IS HEADQUARTERS FOR JULIUS BARNES’ ADVENTURE.

YOU MADE RUGS THE TRADITIONAL WAY, BUT HE HAD A GREAT IDEA, USING FLAX STRAW AS LINEN.

HE MADE A MUCH MORE DURABLE CARPET, AND HE WAS VERY WELL KNOWN FOR SOME GREAT INSTALLATIONS, LIKE THE WALDORF-ASTORIA HOTEL IN NEW YORK CITY WHERE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WALKED OVER HIS CARPET, AND IT DID NOT SHOW WEAR OR TEAR.

THE SWEDISH EMBASSY, ALSO ABROAD.

VERY FAMOUS CARPETS THAT ARE STILL IN USE EVEN THOUGH THE COMPANY NO LONGER EXISTS.

WE WILL VISIT WITH THE COMPANY THAT MAKES A VERY UNIQUE PRODUCT HERE IN DULUTH TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, "THEY MAKE WHAT HERE?"

WE WILL ALSO LOOK AT MINNESOTA’S INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT CARD AND TAKE YOU THROUGH SOME "ORANGE CONE CONSTRUCTION ZONES," ALT TONIGHT ON "IN BUSINESS."

WELCOME TO "IN BUSINESS."

I’M KEN BUEHLER.

TONIGHT, WE’LL HAVE ANOTHER EDITION OF "ORANGE CONE CONSTRUCTION ZONE."

WE’LL SEE HOW MINNESOTA SCORED ON THE 2026 REPORT CARD FOR INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHAT GRADE DO YOU THINK WE GOT?

BUT FIRST, IT’S TIME FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF "THEY MAKE WHAT HERE?"

THIS IS "IN BUSINESS."

OUR FIRST SEGMENT IS "THEY MAKE WHAT HERE?"

THAT’S WHAT WE WANT TO FIND OUT.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS THAT IS MADE HERE.

LET’S FIND OUT.

WE ARE AT NORTHERN ACRYLICS IN LINCOLN PARK, DULUTH, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY IS TIM JOHNSON.

WE ARE GOING TO FIND OUT WHAT IT IS THAT THEY MAKE HERE.

STARTING WITH THE BASICS, WHEN NORTHERN ACRYLICS GET STARTED, AND WAS THAT YOU?

>> I DID START THE COMPANY IN 1987.

WE HAD PRETTY HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, STARTED PRETTY SMALL, AND WE HAVE GROWN OVER THE YEARS.

>> WHAT WAS THE IDEA YOU HAD TO START IT ALL?

>> I WORKED FOR A FABRICATOR IN THE TWIN CITIES AND I GREW UP IN DULUTH AND WANTED TO MOVED BACK HERE, AND I REALIZED THERE WAS NOBODY FABRICATING ACRYLIC OR PLASTICS, SO I STARTED THE BUSINESS BACK IN 1987.

KEN: AND IT HAS GROWN PRECIPITOUSLY SINCE BACK IN >> THAT HAS.

WE HAVE SEEN SOME BIG CHANGES.

KEN: SHOW US AROUND.

>> THESE ARE THE BEGINNING OF A POLYCARBONATE TELEVISION BOX.

THEY ARE IMPACT-RESISTANT.

THEY GO IN GROUP HOMES WHERE MAYBE THEY NEED MORE SAFETY AROUND A TELEVISION.

THIS IS JUST SOMETHING WE DO.

IT IS ALL CNC MACHINE, AND WE GLUE THEM TOGETHER.

IT IS A UNIQUE NICHE, BUT WE MAKE SEVERAL OF THEM.

KEN: THE MATERIAL YOU USE, WHAT IS IT?

IT -- IS IT PLASTIC?

WHAT IS ACRYLIC?

>> THIS IS POLYCARBONATE.

IT IS 30 TIMES THE STRENGTH OF ACRYLIC.

FOR SITUATIONS WHERE THERE IS A LOT OF ABUSE OR IMPACT, POLYCARBONATE IS THE MATERIAL.

KEN: AND YOU BUY THIS IN HUGE, BIG SHEETS?

>> WE CAN GET IT IN UP TO 72 BY 96-INCH SHEETS.

WE ARE ACTUALLY DOING THESE FOR A HOSPITAL IN IOWA, THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

THESE ARE OUR GRAPHICS THAT GO ON IN-PATIENT CARE ROOMS.

THEY NEEDED A LOT OF THEM, SO WE ARE JUST STARTING THAT PROCESS NOW.

KEN: WHAT ARE YOU DOING AT THIS PARTICULAR PART?

>> RIGHT NOW, WE ARE HAVING ONE OF MY FABRICATORS GLUE IN THESE STRIPS.

THEY MOUNT THESE IN ALL DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE HOSPITAL, BASICALLY FOR ALL DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS.

KEN: SHOW ME SOMETHING ON THE MACHINES YOU WORK WITH.

>> THESE ARE THERMOSTAT COVERS FOR CEDAR AND STONE, WHICH IS INTERESTING.

THEY HAVE AN OUTDOOR THERMOSTAT, AND THEY WANT IT PROTECTED, SO WE DEVELOPED THIS LITTLE BOX WITH STAINLESS PINS INSTEAD OF AN ACTUAL HINGE.

IT’S A LOT OF STEPS TO PRODUCE THAT.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING MORE OF THESE FOR THEM MOST RECENTLY.

KEN: CEDAR AND STONE IS THE COMPANY IN A SUPERIOR THAT MAKES SAUNAS ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> EXACTLY.

HERE IS OUR MACHINE SIDE.

CNC ROUTERS, WHICH ARE MACHINES RUN BY A COMPUTER AND CUT MATERIALS OUT.

WE COULD NOT REALLY SURVIVE WITHOUT THEM.

THESE MACHINES ARE SO PRECISE, AND THEY NEVER TIRE OUT.

THEY JUST CONTINUALLY WORK WITH PRECISION AND REPEATABILITY, WHICH MAKES THEM REALLY GREAT FOR US.

THESE ARE LASERS RIGHT HERE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY CUTTING -- IT IS HARD TO SEE, BUT THERE IS QUARTER INCH ACRYLIC IN THERE.

WE ARE CUTTING PARTS FOR OUR CUSTOMER.

KEN: AND THAT’S A LASER DOING THE CUTTING?

>> CORRECT.

WE HAVE A SMALLER ONE THAT WE BRAND OUR NAMES IN.

KEN: YOU SET THIS UP AS A COMPUTER PROGRAM, SO ONCE IT IS SET, IT WILL COMPLETE THIS AND DO ANOTHER AND ANOTHER THE SAME WAY?

>> RIGHT.

IT ACTUALLY POLISHES THE EDGE AS IT CUTS, TOO.

IT IS A VERY NICE, FINISHED EDGE THAT COMES RIGHT OFF THE MACHINE.

THERE IS ARTIST UP IN GRAND BARRE.

WE MACHINE THESE OUT AND POLISH THEM, AND SHE ROSE MOST THESE AND PAINTS THEM, AND THEY ARE IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT ART COMMUNITIES.

SHE’S A VERY GOOD ARTIST, ACTUALLY.

HER NAME IS TARA AUSTIN, VERY TALENTED GAL.

OUR ROUTER CUTS THESE OUT, AND THEY ARE LEFT WITH THE SKIN ON THE BOTTOM JUST BECAUSE THE PART WOULD MOVE AND THERE’S NOT ENOUGH VACUUM TO HOLD IT DOWN.

THERE’S A LOT OF DIFFERENT VARIABLES THAT WE ARE DOING HERE .

IT IS KIND OF INTERESTING.

KEN: IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING IS KIND OF A ONE-OFF.

THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE THE ABILITY TO TAKE AN IDEA LIKE THIS ARTIST HAD AND BE ABLE TO PUT IT IN ACRYLIC.

I THINK THAT IS VERY INTERESTING .

>> YEAH, IT IS KIND OF A UNIQUE PROCESS AND SHE REALLY LIKES WORKING WITH US.

IT IS A GREAT FIT.

THIS IS ANOTHER CNC ROUTER.

THIS IS A POLYCARBONATE MATERIAL, WHICH WILL BE USED TO MAKE THEATRICS LEAVE TAPES -- THEATRIC SLEEP TAPES.

THE MACHINE CUTS EVERYTHING OUT AND IT’S VERY PRECISE.

WE CAN ENGRAVE A NAMEPLATE ON THIS MACHINE.

THE BALL SCREWS ARE SO TIGHT, WE CAN DO VERY SMALL THINGS AS WELL.

IT HAS BEEN A GREAT MACHINE FOR US.

KEN: THIS IS A UNIQUE PRODUCT THAT YOU DEVELOPED THAT IS AS FAR AS YOU KNOW ONE-OF-A-KIND?

>> IT IS.

WE DON’T KNOW OF ANYONE ELSE MANUFACTURING THESE.

HOSPITALS USE THESE PAPER SLEEVES IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS FOR DOSAGE AND -- DOSAGING IN A QUICK AMOUNT OF TIME.

THEY WERE GETTING TORN.

THEY ARE LIKE AN ACCORDION, AND WE THOUGHT WHY NOT PUT THIS IN A SLEEVE WHERE THEY CAN SET IT DOWN, MEASURE THE PATIENT, DO THE CORRECT DOSAGE, AND HANG IT UP WHEN THEY ARE NOT USING IT?

WE DEVELOPED THIS A FEW YEARS AGO, AND THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN GREAT.

WE SHIP ALL OVER THE STATES.

KEN: HOW MANY WOULD GO TO A SPECIFIC HOSPITAL?

>> IT IS MOSTLY ED DEPARTMENTS IN HOSPITALS.

WE HAVE ONE CUSTOMER THAT JUST BOUGHT, LIKE, 50 AT A TIME, BUT A LOT OF SMALL, RURAL HOSPITALS WILL TAKE JUST ONE OR TWO.

KEN: HOW DO YOU PROMOTE SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT IS SO SPECIFIC TO THE HOSPITAL INDUSTRY?

>> IT’S ON OUR WEBSITE.

WE ARE NOT SURE HOW PEOPLE REACH US, BUT WE HAVE INQUIRIES ALL THE TIME.

WE SHIP OUT PROBABLY 10 OR 12 A WEEK, AND IT IS A POLYCARBONATE, TOO, SO THIS CAN TAKE A LOT OF ABUSE WITHOUT CRACKING.

IF THIS WERE ACRYLIC, WE WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS, BUT THIS IS A MUCH MORE DURABLE MATERIAL.

KEN: AND IT IS SOMETHING MADE IN DULUTH THAT IS KNOWN AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND THIS IS THE EXCLUSIVE MANUFACTURER.

YOU CALLED IS WHAT AGAIN?

>> PEDIATRIC SLEEVE.

KEN: TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW THE EVOLUTION HAPPEN.

WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART ABOUT GETTING STARTED?

>> BASICALLY, YOU HAVE NO CUSTOMERS.

YOU OPEN A SHOP AND HAVE ALL THESE GREAT IDEAS OF WHAT YOU CAN DREAM ABOUT AND BUILD, AND IN THE EARLY DAYS, WE DID A LOT OF RETAIL.

MARISE ABOUT -- MAURICE’S LOCAL HE WAS A GREAT START FOR US, BUT WE REALIZE HOSPITALS ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR PRODUCT, ALWAYS REDEVELOPING OR BUILDING NEW HOSPITALS, SO WE STARTED TO FOCUS ON THAT DIRECTION, AND WE CONTINUE THAT TODAY.

MEDICAL IS A BIG DRIVER OF THIS COMPANY.

>> TIM JOHNSON IS THE PRESIDENT OF NORTHERN ACRYLICS, AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT EVOLUTION AND A UNIQUE PRODUCT MADE HERE IN DULUTH THAT IS THE ANSWER TO "THEY MAKE WHAT HERE?"

AND THIS IS, OF COURSE, "IN BUSINESS."

AS HE STARTED TO GROW, WHAT WERE SOME OF THE GROWING PAINS AND WHAT WERE SOME OF THE SUCCESSES?

>> EVERY BUSINESS HAS GROWING PAINS AND YOU HAVE YOUR UPS AND DOWNS, BUT OUR BIGGEST SUCCESS WAS GETTING INTO AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT.

THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH YOU CAN DO MANUALLY, AND WE HAVE MACHINES FOR CUSTOM WORK AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT I THINK OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE WAS BEING ABLE TO GET SOME EQUIPMENT AND EMPLOYING PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND RUN THEM.

SINCE THEN, THINGS HAVE REALLY TAKEN OFF.

>> SAY YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MORE EMPLOYEES.

OBVIOUSLY, THE BUSINESS IS GROWING.

WHAT DOES YOUR FUTURE LOOK LIKE?

WE HAVE A STRONG FUTURE.

I THINK THERE’S A LOT MORE HOSPITALS TO TAP INTO AND NEW PRODUCT AS WELL, AND THAT IS WHAT, FOR ME, MAKES IT REALLY FUN, BEING ABLE TO DESIGN AND DEVELOP NEW PRODUCTS.

>> THAT IS AN EXCITING PART OF THE BUSINESS.

>> YET, IT IS GREAT.

I REALLY ENJOY THAT PART OF IT.

KEN: TIM JOHNSON IS PRESIDENT OF NORTHERN ACRYLICS, AND THIS IS "IN BUSINESS."

THIS IS "IN BUSINESS."

I’M KEN BUEHLER.

BEFORE WE SEE MINNESOTA’S REPORT CARD FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, WE’RE TAKING A LOOK AT SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS NOW UNDERWAY THROUGH "ORANGE CONE CONSTRUCTION ZONE."

THEY HAVE A SAYING ABOUT THE SWISS.

WHEN THEY HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DO IN SWITZERLAND, THEY BUILD A TUNNEL.

IT SEEMS HERE IN MINNESOTA, WHEN THEY HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DO, THEY BUILD A ROUNDABOUT.

WE ARE AT THE CORNER OF 40TH AVE WEST AND RAN, AND THIS WILL BE TRANSFORMED STARTING THIS SUMMER INTO EGG MINIATURE -- INTO A MINIATURE ROUNDABOUT, AND THEY WILL BE TO 40TH AVE WEST ALL THE WAY UP TO THE RAILROAD TRACKS.

THESE TRAFFIC SIGNALS WILL GO AWAY.

THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC WILL BE MUCH MORE SMOOTH, AND YOU WON’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR A RED LIGHT AT GRAND AND 40TH ANYMORE, AND YOU WILL BE ON A BRAND-NEW ROAD GOING ALL THE WAY UP DULUTH’S BEAUTIFUL HILLSIDE.

COMING NEXT SUMMER IN "ORANGE CONE CONSTRUCTION ZONE."

BEHIND ME IS THE MESABI PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS CROSSING I-35.

A COUPLE YEARS AGO, THE UNASSERTED DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DISCOVERED THAT, WAIT A MINUTE, WE HAVE EXTRA MONEY WE HAVE NOT SPENT ON PEDESTRIAN OVERPASSES, SO THEY LOOKED AROUND THE STATE TO FIND SEVERAL THAT THEY COULD SPEND THE MONEY ON BEFORE IT WENT AWAY, AND THEY FOUND THIS PARTICULAR OVERPASS FOR PEDESTRIANS THAT CROSSED I-35.

URBAN LEGEND HAS IT THAT THIS PARTICULAR OVERPASS, WHICH WILL BE REBUILT WITH THIS MONEY FROM THE STATE TO BE WIDER, BETTER LOOKING, MORE ATTRACTIVE, AND MORE CONDUCIVE FOR BIKES, THAT WILL USE THAT RAMP TO GET ON TO THE PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY DOWN BELOW, BUT HERE IS THE INTERESTING STORY.

URBAN LEGEND HAS IT THAT THIS WAS BUILT FROM A BUS STOP ON MICHIGAN STREET.

THE BUSES DID NOT GO ALONG RAILROAD STREET, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKED ALONG RAILROAD STREET AND TOOK THE BUS TO WORK, PARTICULARLY ONE PARTICULAR COMPANY.

IN THE 1830’S AND 1940’S, CAMPBELL ROBINSON HAD A HUGE, BIG, REFRIGERATED WAREHOUSE WHERE LOT D IS TODAY.

IT’S UNDERDEVELOPMENT, BUT AT THE TIME, THERE WAS A HUGE, MULTISTORY WAREHOUSE THAT DELIVERED ALL OVER THE MIDWEST.

IT WAS A HUGE INDUSTRY IN DULUTH, BUT IT WENT AWAY.

A NEW OWNER ABOUT THE BUILDING AND STARTED MAKING GINO’S PIZZA, AND HIS WORKERS WOULD TAKE THE BUS, AND HE HAD TO GET THEM DOWN HERE TO THE WATERFRONT.

RUMOR HAS IT, THAT IS WHY THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE WAS BUILT OVER I-35 IN THE FIRST PLACE, SO EMPLOYEES GET FROM MICHIGAN STOP TO WHAT IS NOW LOT D. LOOK FOR THIS TO CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER AS AN ORANGE CONE CONSTRUCTION ZONE, AND THIS IS "IN BUSINESS."

BEFORE OUR NEXT SEGMENT, HERE’S A QUICK LOOK AT SOME BUSINESS NEWS FROM ACROSS THE REGION.

THE MILLER HILL LOCATION OF GRANDMA’S SALOON AND GRILL HAS OFFICIALLY CONCLUDED OPERATIONS AS OF MAY 3.

GRANDMA’S RESTAURANT GROUP REACHED AN AGREEMENT IN APRIL TO SELL THE BUILDING TO MINNEAPOLIS-BASED CANNABIS COMPANY, VIREO GROWTH INC.

AFTER 35 YEARS OF FULL-SERVICE DINING AT THE LOCATION, GRANDMA’S CITES A DECLINE IN LATE-NIGHT DINING AND LESS RETAIL-ADJACENT TRAFFIC AS REASONS FOR SELLING THE BUILDING AND CONSOLIDATING ITS EFFORTS TOWARDS THEIR FLAGSHIP LOCATION IN CANAL PARK.

35 YEARS IS A GOOD, LONG RUN.

GRANDMA’S MANY FANS WHO WERE ALONG FOR THAT CULINARY RIDE MIGHT REMEMBER THE ORIGINAL RESTAURANT AT THE MALL LOCATION WAS A MR.

STEAK.

THE DULUTH SEAWAY PORT AUTHORITY HAS BEEN AWARDED 27.5 MILLION DOLLARS TO FUND THE DULUTH LAKE PORT PIER PROJECT ON RICE’S POINT.

HELPING FUND THE PROJECT IS THE U.S.

MARITIME ADMINISTRATION THROUGH ITS PORT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE DOCK WALL, DEMOLITION OF THE GRAIN ELEVATOR ON THE PIER, AND WILL ALLOW FOR AN ON-DOCK RAIL SERVICE CONNECTING TO MULTIPLE RAILROADS.

MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TIM WALZ HAS SIGNED A LAW THAT WILL BAN CRYPTOCURRENCY ATM’S IN THE STATE.

EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1 OF THIS YEAR, THE LAW WILL PROHIBIT A PERSON FROM INSTALLING, OPERATING, OR MAKING AVAILABLE FOR USE A VIRTUAL CURRENCY KIOSK, AND ALL CURRENTLY EXISTING KIOSKS MUST BE REMOVED BY DECEMBER 31, 2026.

THE LIGHTHOUSE SPA HELD ITS GRAND OPENING ON WEDNESDAY.

THE SPA AND BOUTIQUE, LOCATED IN CANAL PARK, HAD A SOFT LAUNCH ON MAY 1 BUT HELD THE OFFICIAL RIBBON CUTTING ON WEDNESDAY.

THE LIGHTHOUSE SPA OFFERS MASSAGE THERAPY, SAUNA SESSIONS, THEIR SIGNATURE HEADSPA TREATMENTS, AND MUCH MORE.

VISIT DULUTH HAS ROLLED OUT THEIR 2026-2027 OFFICIAL VISITOR GUIDE JUST IN TIME FOR NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK.

ALONG WITH THE USUAL TRAVEL STOPS THAT INCLUDE OUTDOOR RECREATION, SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, AND LANDMARKS, THE REVAMPED VISITOR GUIDE HAS ADDED A REDESIGNED LOOK WITH UPDATED MAPS AND MORE CONTENT THAT WAS SHAPED BY LOCAL DULUTHIANS TO GIVE A MORE PERSONAL TONE TO THE GUIDE.

NEXT, WE’LL HEAR FROM A FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS ABOUT THIS YEAR’S MINNESOTA INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT CARD, THAT BREAKS DOWN THE CURRENT STATUS OF AND FUTURE NEEDS FOR THE DIFFERENT SECTORS OF OUR STATE’S INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> I’M A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER AND FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.

ASCE HAS ISSUED SEVEN NATIONAL REPORT CARDS, AND THEY MINNESOTA AND DULUTH SECTIONS HAVE COLLABORATED.

OUR STATE REPORT CARD FOLLOWS THE MODEL OF THE NATIONAL REPORT CARD FOR AMERICA’S INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH USES AN EASILY UNDERSTOOD REPORT CARD SYSTEM AND IS RELEASED EVERY FOUR YEARS, AND IT REMAINS THE MOST WIDELY CITED INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT IN OUR COUNTRY.

THE MOST RECENT NATIONAL REPORT CARD, RELEASED IN 20 25, AWARDED THE NATION’S HIGHEST CUMULATIVE GRADE OF A C, WHICH REPRESENTS SLOW AND CUMULATIVE PROCESS, AS IT STARTED WITH A D. WE ARE HERE TODAY TO ASK THE TOUGH QUESTION -- WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF MINNESOTA’S INFRASTRUCTURE RIGHT NOW, AND IS THE PROGRESS AND PACE KEEPING UP WITH DETERIORATION.

THE 2026 REPORT CARD DELIVERS AN INDEPENDENT DATA-DRIVEN ASSESSMENT OF MINNESOTA INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THIS YEAR’S REPORT EVALUATES 11 CATEGORIES INCLUDING AVIATION, BRIDGES, DAMS AND DRINKING WATER, ENERGY, PORTS, PUBLIC PARKS, ROADS, TRANSIT, AND WASTEWATER, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME INTRODUCES STORM WATER.

EACH CATEGORY IS CREATED BY A TEAM OF CIVIL ENGINEERS USING CRITERIA INCLUDING CAPACITY, CONDITION, FUNDING, FUTURE NEED, INNOVATION, OPERATION AND FUTURE NEEDS, AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE CUMULATIVE GRADE FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS A C. IN THE GRADING SYSTEM WE HAVE, LETTER A IS DEFINED AS FIT FOR THE FUTURE.

THAT WOULD BE A PIECE OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS 10, 15 YEARS OLD.

B IS FIT FOR NOW, SO THAT IS SOMETHING MEETING ALL ITS OBLIGATION CURRENTLY AND HAS DETERIORATION BEING KEPT UP WITH WITH REPLACEMENT OR MAINTENANCE.

LITERACY IS DEFINED AS MEDIOCRE OR REQUIRING ATTENTION.

THINK OF SOMETHING THAT HAS A 50-YEAR SERVICE LIFE THAT IS 35, 40 YEARS IN AND IS STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP WITH MAINTENANCE.

WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS IN THAT 4 OF OUR CATEGORIES HAVE INCREASED AND STEP.

-- A STEP.

ONE BACKSLID, AND WE INTRODUCED THUNDERSTORM ON A CATEGORY -- INTRODUCED THE NEW STORMWATER CATEGORY WHICH DEBUTED AT A C. DRINKING WATER REMAINED AT THE SAME C MINUS GRADE IT RECEIVED IN 2022.

SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WAS MADE ON THE SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT, A CLEAR AREA OF FOCUS ACROSS THE STATE AND IN THE CITY OF DULUTH.

A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN ADVANCING PUBLIC HEALTH.

OVERALL INVESTMENT WENT UP, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE OVERALL GRADE AND NOT IN A WAY THAT GUARANTEES LONG-TERM STABILITY.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT REMAINED AT A C. TREATMENTS FOR -- TREATMENTS BASED TIGHTENING REGULATIONS AND FUNDING GAPS THAT EXCEED CURRENT BONDING AND REVOLVING LOAN CAPACITY.

WASTEWATER INVESTMENT DEFICIENCIES ARE A THEME ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AS THESE ARE OFTEN OUT OF SIGHT AND OUT OF MIND SYSTEMS.

OUR STATE’S DAMS GRADE STAYED AT A C. PROACTIVE REINVESTMENT SUCCESSES ARE CONTRASTED BLATANTLY BY A RECENT FAILURE OF A 114-YEAR-OLD DAM, UNDERSCORING THE DILEMMA OF FUNDING REPLACEMENTS WHILE WE TRY TO EXECUTE STOPGAP REPAIRS.

MOVING TO OUR TRANSPORTATION-RELATED CATEGORIES, THE LEGISLATURE HAS MADE GREAT STRIDES IN BOLSTERING SUSTAINED FUNDING IN OUR TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS.

CONTINUING MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR FUNDING SHORTFALLS ARE PROJECTED OVER THE NEXT TWO DECADES AND MORE WILL NEED TO BE DONE FOR STATE ROADS, BRIDGES, AND TRANSIT NETWORKS TO MEET DEMAND.

BRIDGES ROSE FROM A C TO C PLUS.

STRATEGIES REDUCE THE BACKLOG OF POOR CONDITION BRIDGES, WHICH HELP BRING THE GREAT.

CONCERN IS GROWING THAT A NUMBER OF ASSETS SLIPPED FROM GOOD TO FAIR.

BIRDS ARE MAINTAINED AT A C PLUS GRADE.

I THINK EVERYBODY FEELS THAT, BUT A DECLINE IN GAS TAX REVENUES CONTINUE TO UNDERMINE PAVEMENT REPLACEMENT FUNDING PAIR THE TRANSIT GREAT INCREASE FROM C MINUS THE C PAIR THE SYSTEM STABILIZED POST-PANDEMIC THROUGH AN INFUSION OF FEDERAL FUNDS, BUT AGING VEHICLES AND FACILITIES CONTINUE TO STRAIN OPERATION WITH RIDERSHIP PATTERNS EVOLVING AS MORE PEOPLE WORK FROM HOME NOW MORE THAN EVER.

THE AVIATION GRADE DROP FROM B TO THE MINUS, BUT IT IS STILL ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF D+ .

RISING COSTS AND FLAT FUNDING TOOLS ARE ERODING LONG-TERM FINANCIAL PLANS.

LESS THAN 4% OF OUR RUNWAY PAVEMENT IS RATED AS POOR, WHICH EXCEEDS STATE GOALS.

AIRPORT TERMINALS ARE LARGELY MEETING CAPACITY NEEDS, BUT STATEWIDE INFRASTRUCTURE FACES INVESTMENT NEEDS OF MORE THAN $6 BILLION IN COMING YEARS, WHICH IS FAR GREATER THAN ANTICIPATED REVENUE STREAMS.

LONG-TERM SUCCESS WILL DEPEND ON COORDINATED INVESTMENT ACROSS CATEGORIES, TREATING INFRASTRUCTURE AS AN INTER-COLLECTED SYSTEM AND NOT A COLLECTION OF ISOLATED ASSETS.

>> THE REALITY IS THAT DULUTH IS AN OLD CITY WITH OLD INFRASTRUCTURE.

I’M SURE MOST OF YOU HERE HAVE A POTHOLE STORY.

MAYBE YOU HAVE SEEN A NEWS STORY ABOUT A WATER MAIN BREAK, OR MAYBE YOU ARE A LUCKY HOMEOWNER THAT GOT TO REPLACE YOUR SEWER LINE.

IN 2025, WE IMPROVED NEARLY 18 MILES OF ROADS, OFTEN PARENT NETWORK WITH CRITICAL STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES.

THIS YEAR, WE WILL IMPROVE ANOTHER 15.6 MILES, RECONSTRUCTING AND PRESERVING SEES, BUT PERHAPS OUR GREATEST SUCCESS IS IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE HAVE NO LEAD WATER DISTRIBUTION MAINS, AND WE HAVE AGGRESSIVELY REPLACED AGING WATER SERVICE LINES.

763 LAST YEAR AND ANOTHER 1250 PLAN FOR THIS YEAR.

THIS WORK IS MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, ESPECIALLY OUR LOWER INCOME AND DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS, AND WITH THE SUPPORT FROM A FEDERAL RAISE GRANT, WE ARE LAUNCHING A FULL RECONSTRUCTION.

WE ARE ALSO IMPROVING WHAT YOU ALWAYS DO NOT SEE.

WE RELIED SANITARY SEWER LINES AND ARE CONTINUING OUR TUNNEL REHABILITATION PROJECTS.

IT IS STEADY PROGRESS THAT STRENGTHENS OUR CITY, BUT THERE IS LOTS MORE WORK TO DO.

>> OUR LAST FEW CATEGORIES ARE IN THE SALINAS BUCKET.

ENERGY IMPROVED FROM C TO C PLUS.

TRANSMISSION CONSTRAINTS AND AGING INFRASTRUCTURE THREATENED SUSTAINABILITY AND RELIABILITY.

PUBLIC PARKS MAINTAINED A STRONG B-MINUS GRADE, ONE OF THE BETTER PARKS GRADES IN THE NATION.

LOCAL FUNDING MODELS IMPROVE PARK ACCESS AND CONDITIONS.

THERE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS IN OUR BROCHURES TODAY.

BRIEFLY, FIRST, FUNDING MUST BE DEDICATED, SUSTAINABLE, AND RELIABLE BY CREATING AND EXPANDING VIABLE, LONG-TERM FUNDING MECHANISMS ACROSS ALL SECTORS, WHICH INCLUDES BONDING, REVOLVING FUNDS, AND USER FEES THAT WILL HELP INFRASTRUCTURE STEWARDS WITH LONG-TERM PLANNING AND GOALS.

SECOND, WE MUST CONTINUE TO STREAMLINE PROCESSES.

THIS INCLUDES UPDATING DESIGN SAFETY AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, AND THE LAST THING WE WILL TOUCH ON IS WE MUST CONTINUE TO SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS TO ACCURATELY IDENTIFY AND ASSESS CONDITION.

ON THE DOWNSTREAM SIDE, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT WHAT IS AT RISK AND WHAT IS GOOD AND FAIR, BUT YOU FIRST HAVE TO ASSESS IT, AND BEFORE YOU CAN, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW MANY DAMS THERE ARE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND CREATE THAT ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN ORDER TO CATALOG HOW MANY THERE ARE BEFORE YOU CAN DO THE RESEARCH INTO HOW MANY ARE GOOD OR POOR.

KEN: I’M KEN BUEHLER.

THANKS FOR WATCHING "IN BUSINESS."

IF YOU MISSED ANY PARTS OF TONIGHT’S SHOW, YOU CAN ALWAYS WATCH IT AT PBSNORTH.ORG OR LISTEN ON MONDAYS AT 5:30 P.M.

ON THE NORTH 103.3.

THANKS AGAIN FOR WATCHING, AND UNTIL NEXT TIME, LET’S TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

♪