The Minnesota State Fair – which starts Thursday, August 22 and runs through Labor Day – is called the “Great Minnesota Get-Together” – and it’s also the perfect opportunity to practice speaking up for preservation!
Fuel yourself with your favorite fair foods (ours are corn dogs, cheese curds, Sweet Martha’s cookies with a side of all-you-can-drink milk, and Fair-only craft beers—we’re hungry already!) and then visit with political candidates and sitting Legislators.
It’s easy to do in this fun and informal environment! You’ll find booths for political candidates throughout the Fairgrounds, and current Minnesota Senators and Representatives will have scheduled “meet and greet” hours in the Education Building. Stop by and let them know that you care about community revitalization and building reuse – and that more economic development tools are needed to help people make the most of their community assets!
Give an example or two of places in your neighborhood/town/city that have been successfully rehabilitated – or that are waiting for further investment and could use a nudge from state policy to move forward. You can find inspiration on the Fairgrounds itself, where a number of historic buildings have been rehabilitated and reused. A historic walking tour developed by the Minnesota State Fair Foundation will lead you to 12 notable sites.
Key Minnesota Legislators are scheduled for the following dates and times. Check the complete schedules posted on the House website or Senate website to see who will be at the Fair during your visit and for more information.
Thursday, 8/22:
9am-11am: Sen. Karin Housley (represents Stillwater)
10am-12pm: Sen. Roger Chamberlain (chairman of the Senate Taxes committee – a key policymaker for the MN Historic Tax Credit) and Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (co-author of current bill to protect the MN Historic Tax Credit)
Friday, 8/23:
9am-11am: Sen. David Senjem (represents Rochester; a key supporter of the MN Historic Tax Credit, lead author of current HTC bill, and chair of the Senate bonding committee)
10am-12pm: Rep. Diane Loeffler (represents Northeast Minneapolis; a supporter of historic building reuse and member of the House bonding committee)
3pm-5pm: Sen. Tom Bakk (a key supporter of the MN Historic Tax Credit and co-author of current HTC bill)
Saturday, 8/24:
9am-11am: Sen. Paul Anderson (co-author of current bill to protect the MN Historic Tax Credit)
10am-noon: Sen. Eric Pratt (represents Shakopee, which is a Rethos Main Streets designated community)
Sunday, 8/25:
10am-12pm: Rep. Jack Considine Jr. (represents Mankato, which is a Rethos Main Streets designated community)
Monday, 8/26:
9am-11am: Sen. Ann Rest (DFL lead on Senate Taxes committee; co-author of current bill to protect the MN Historic Tax Credit)
10am-12pm: Rep. Lyndon Carlson, Sr. (co-author of current bill to protect the MN Historic Tax Credit)
Tuesday, 8/27:
10am-12pm: Sen. Melisa Franzen (represents Edina; DFL member of Senate Taxes committee)
Thursday, 8/29:
9am-11am: Sen. Roger Chamberlain (chairman of the Senate Taxes committee – a key policymaker for the MN Historic Tax Credit)
10am-12pm: Rep. Melissa Hortman (Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives)
2pm-4pm: Sen. Jim Abeler (represents Anoka; a supporter of the MN Historic Tax Credit)
4pm-6pm: Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (co-author of current bill to protect the MN Historic Tax Credit)
Sunday, 9/1:
10am-12pm: Rep. Brad Tabke (represents Shakopee, which is a Rethos Main Streets designated community)
1pm-3pm: Sen. Carla Nelson (represents Rochester; lead author of proposed affordable housing tax credit)
We will see you all at the Fair!