Dakota County Regional Chamber to
study transit needs and opportunities
Backed by large regional employers and community partners
Eagan -- Dakota County employers need and want better transit service. How to provide that better service, and the benefits of doing so, will be the subject of a new initiative just launched by the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“Our members are growing and need access to a lot of workers. They realize that they need good transit to do that,” said Maureen Scallen Failor, President and CEO of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Right now it’s easier to get out of Dakota County for work than to come in, or to just stay here.”
The Chamber has hired national expert Christof Spieler to lead the study. Spieler led a similar study in Ramsey and Washington Counties for East Metro Strong, which is supporting DCRC on this initiative.
The initiative is supported by DCRC members, including
- Dakota County Electric;
- Dakota County Technical College/Inver Hills Community College
- Ecolab, Inc
- Minnesota Vikings;
- MV Eagan Ventures;
- Prime Therapeutics;
- Twin Cities Orthopedics;
- Thomson Reuters;
- McKnight Foundation.
“We will work with employers and other stakeholders to build on the work done by Dakota County planning staff to develop actionable recommendations to improve transit,” continued Scallen Failor. “Our employers need better transit sooner rather than later, and we’re excited to move the discussion forward.”
“Transit in the region produces $3 for every $1 invested,” said Will Schroeer, Executive Director of East Metro Strong. “We’re excited to help develop concrete projects to bring more of that high return on investment to Dakota County.”
Study backers enthusiastically explained the need for this work:
“We know that many of our students rely on public transportation to get to Inver Hills or DCTC. Students have shared with me that they take multiple routes and can be on the bus for over an hour one way. We’re excited to learn how we can improve or expand current routes to improve their access” said Michael Berndt, President-Interim, Dakota County Technical College/Inver Hills Community College.
“Twin Cities Orthopedics is happy to support the Dakota County Transit Opportunities Analysis Study. It is important that our patients, employees, partners and everyone in Dakota County have access to comprehensive transit options that meet their needs,” said Janet Benton, Vice President, Clinic Services, TCO. “We’re excited to see continued growth in Eagan and surrounding communities and look forward to supporting Dakota County well into the future.”
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