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Utilities/Transportation


Utilities

The City of Grand Rapids prides itself in the quality of its modern, well maintained, public infrastructure system.The City administers a proactive Capital Improvement Plan that sequences the maintenance, replacement and expansion of infrastructure to maximize performance and minimize life cycle costs.

The water, wastewater treatment and electric power services of Grand Rapids businesses and residents are served by the Grand Rapids Public Utilities Commission, which provides reliable, low-cost utility services resulting in rates well below most U.S. regions and competitive within Minnesota.

Industrial, commercial and residential electric service is highly reliable and delivered at costs competitive with investor and cooperatively owned utility companies throughout Minnesota and the U.S.  Off –peak electric services and dual fuel rates are also available at reduced rates.

Grand Rapids is one of only eighteen mid-sized Minnesota cities providing filtered and softened water at the tap.  Even with this added benefit, Grand Rapids still ranks mid-range in water rates across Minnesota.

Waste water treatment, processed in a 2010-built primary and secondary waste water treatment facility, provides industrial waste water treatment services on a cost-to-service basis. The facility – whose operation has a history of industry and regulatory recognition - currently, has additional capacity for industries with both primary and secondary waste water treatment requirements at rates below average in the State.

The competitive rates for these services can be accessed in the following table: 

Utility Provider

Service

Service Contact

Rate Information

Grand Rapids PUC

Water/Sanitary Sewer

Steve Mattson: 218.326.7195

Rate Information

Grand Rapids PUC

Electric

Jeremy Goodell: 218.326.7182

Rate Information

Minnesota Energy Resources

Natural Gas

Jeff Larson: 651.322.8907

Rate Information

       
       

Transportation

Highways:

US Highways 2 and 169 and MN State Highways 6, 38, 46, 65 and 200 provide good surface transportation connections between Grand Rapids, major metropolitan areas and the interstate system.  US Highway 2 between Grand Rapids and Duluth, MN is a designated heavy haul corridor allowing transportation by double trailer rigs. This Commodity Corridor provides access to international shipping channels available at the Port of Duluth.

Airport:airplane

The Grand Rapids - Itasca County Airport (GPZ) is a publicly owned airport located 2.5 miles southeast of downtown Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The airport is situated on 1,400 acres and is a certificated air carrier airport under 14 CFR 139. The Airport has approximately 15,000 aircraft operations per year. Airways Aviation provides services such as Northern Air charter flights, scenic air rides, aircraft rental and flight instruction.

The Grand Rapids - Itasca County Airport supports a variety of current users: military, government  (USFS, DNR, State of MN, FAA, etc.), flight training, air charter service, corporate traffic, daily UPS delivery, medical transport, fire fighting, search and rescue, and private pleasure operations.

Rail:

A main line of the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe (BSNF) Railroad extends through Grand Rapids providing freight service. The BSNF line runs northwest to southeast, connecting North Dakota and Canada to the Duluth/Superior Port. The BNSF is a major transporter of finished products from Blandin Paper in Grand Rapids. The BNSF line carries grain, coal, and wood products and has a current average of four trains per day. Another BNSF line connects Grand Rapids to the Iron Range and carries similar cargoes.

 

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