Metropolitan Council

And the purpose is just to encourage them, right? People reach out to you because they see something in you, because you definitely qualify, because you'd have the qualifications.

And just to encourage folks to really step into the leadership role and so for me one of those opportunities as you guys back in Minnesota we have the Metropolitan Council which is the regional planning body for the seven county metro area and I have been working in housing and planning for a long time and I was invited to be part of this equity advisory committee and it was going to be the first committee of the equity committee of the council to really advise the council on how to advance equity.

And it was a great opportunity because the council is original planning body for the seven companies, seven counties in the metro area, which is huge.

And they're in charge of planning for roads and, They do do a housing plan as well.

At a

station in St. Louis Park, Metropolitan Council Chair Robin Hutchinson revealed when the long-awaited light rail extension will begin transporting riders.

The crowd in the hundreds, including Teresa Johnson of Minneapolis, were thrilled with the news.

I'm taking the day off work.

The discussion focused on the project's $224 million funding gap despite proposed cost reductions and increased contributions from Hennepin County.

Officials say Hennepin County has reached the limit of what it can contribute and are looking to the Metropolitan Council for additional funding.

Supporters said the Blue Line extension is needed to improve transit connections in the northern metro, while others questioned its cost and timeline.

The project is expected to cost about $3.3 billion, with plans to be complete in 2033.