County provides final funding piece for new apartments in Carlton

Carlton County will provide the final piece of funding for a 30-unit residential apartment building to be built on the north side of Carlton.

At their March 25 meeting, the Carlton County board of commissioners approved $174,000 in Carlton County Economic Development funding to complete a funding package that includes $2.7 million in primary financing provided by Frandsen Bank & Trust. The City of Carlton has approved $655,000 in tax increment financing over 25 years for the project.

The project is being constructed on commercially zoned land owned by Willows Edge LLC, west of County Road 45 and along County Road 3. A less costly funding package was available because eight apartment units were set aside for low-income housing opportunities.

In other board news:

• The county board received notice of the City of Cromwell’s modification of its tax increment financing district to include the site of the demolished Cromwell restaurant on Highway 210. This provides tax increment financing for the construction of a new restaurant complex in Cromwell, due to start this year.

• Plans are in place to take out the trestle on the Soo Line Trail north of Holyoke on Highway 23. Road damage to the highway resulted from recent flooding when the trestle funneled and restricted water runoff. The board approved the choices of graveled County Roads 8 and 11 or tarred County Roads 1 and 4 for diverted traffic. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is responsible for blading and repair work on the road bypasses.

• The board approved health and human resources director Dave Lee’s request for a $6,000 expenditure for iPads or tablets for the pilot program Pathways to Family Peace. The program addresses the lack of local-area domestic violence programming by providing those currently in or recently released from jail the means to remotely participate in treatment classes offered in Duluth. The program will work with six to 10 offenders over a 28-week period. The cost would be covered by excess Health and Human Services funds. “I think this program is needed,” county attorney Lauri Ketola said. “It helps fill a gap for people who lack dependable transportation to participate in a service that is already in St. Louis County.”

• Commissioner Gary Peterson reported that Representative Mike Sundin has sponsored a bill in the Legislature requiring the state to cover damage caused by beavers, along with wolves and elk. Peterson said county land commissioner Greg Bernu gave an excellent presentation at a hearing on the bill. Aitkin County spent $70,000 last year for beaver control.

• Assessor Kyle Holmes updated the county board in closed session on the impending utility tax court settlements. The county will send out information with the latest updates soon.